Allometric analysis sheds light on the systematics and ontogeny of anurognathid pterosaurs

Anurognathids are a clade of non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs with generally conservative morphology, but specializations as insectivores. They represented by disparate collection adult and juvenile specimens that range in wingspan from ∼0.24–1 m. There have been concerns about the extent to which ontogenetic variation might affect phylogenetic inference, indeed how aspects their ontogeny relate distinctive anurognathid morphology. Here we perform allometric analysis on 23 key skeletal dimensions 13 specimens. Our results show all anurognathids share common growth trajectory most dimensions, affects minority characters commonly used analysis. Excluding these ontogeny-related characters, new taxon, Cascocauda rong gen. et sp. nov., is established. Based ontogenetically corrected dataset, our supports Anurognathidae sister-group Breviquartossa reveals general trend tail reduction clade. Allometric suggests lifestyle remained consistent throughout ontogeny, maintaining highly maneuverable flight style near-isometric development wing, small prey (i.e., insects), strong negative allometry skull, an arboreal habit positive claws. This specialized retention plesiomorphic traits into later facilitated morphological stasis stabilizing selection during over 40 million years evolution group.