page_title: 2002 in paleontology
section_title: New taxa
hierarchical_section_title: 2002 in paleontology / Archosauromorphs / Pterosaurs / New taxa
caption_attribution_description: English: The Maastrichtian, Transylvanian giant azhdarchid pterosaur Hatzegopteryx sp. preys on the rhabdodontid iguanodontian Zalmoxes. Because large predatory theropods are unknown on Late Cretaceous Haţeg Island, giant azhdarchids may have played a key role as terrestrial predators in this community. Español: En la imagen se observa una representación artística que reconstruye un paisaje del Maastrichtiense (última edad o piso del periodo Cretácico), y allí un pterosaurio azhdarchidae gigante de Transilvania, Hatzegopteryx sp.(specie), dando caza a un rabdodontid iguanodontian Zalmoxes. Debido a que los grandes terópodos depredadores son desconocidos en la isla de Hațeg del Cretácico tardío, los azdárquidos gigantes pueden haber jugado un papel clave como depredadores terrestres en esta comunidad.
context_page_description: Paleontology or palaeontology is the study of prehistoric life forms on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils. This includes the study of body fossils, tracks, burrows, cast-off parts, fossilised feces, palynomorphs and chemical residues. Because humans have encountered fossils for millennia, paleontology has a long history both before and after becoming formalized as a science.
caption: Hatzegopteryx
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