The wandering jaws of Istiodactylus latidens (Pterosauria, Istiodactylidae)

Abstract A new specimen of the Early Cretaceous pterodactyloid pterosaur Istiodactylus latidens is described. This specimen in the Moscow Vernadsky State Geological Museum represents the associated anterior ends of the rostrum and mandibular symphysis but lacks collection data. It likely comes from the Barremian-Aptian Vectis Formation of southern England based on a pollen analysis of the matrix sample. This specimen could represent the missing jaws of the holotype of I. latidens. The specimen was studied using computer microtomography. It has an isodont dentition consisting of large lancet-like interlocking teeth, a mandibular odontoid process, and a palatal ridge. The palatal ridge, known previously for some istiodactylid taxa, is reported here for the first time for Istiodactylus.