Pteros
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Pterosaurs, not pterodactyls

The first pterosaur ever discovered was named Pterodactylus antiquus in 1783. Soon after, the public started calling Pterodactylus and its kin 'pterodactyls', but that term isn't used by scientists. Instead, they use the term pterosaur.

While pterodactyl is not a valid word, there are multiple names that sound similar, only differing in suffixes, that refer to various groups in the pterosaur evolutionary tree.

Nested diagram of the pterosaur evolutionary tree showing Pterodactylidae, Pterodactyloidea, and Pterosauria
The nested groups of the pterosaur family tree: Pterodactylidae (1) sits inside Pterodactyloidea (2), which sits inside Pterosauria (3).
  1. 1

    Pterodactylidae

    A small family of short-tailed pterosaurs, with the genus Pterodactylus being its only member. There are two species known in this genus, Pterodactylus antiquus and Pterodactylus kochi.

  2. 2

    Pterodactyloidea

    A larger group of short-tailed pterosaurs, which includes the family Pterodactylidae and other pterosaurs including Pteranodon, which is what most people have in mind when they think of 'pterodactyls'. All members of this group are called pterodactyloids.

  3. 3

    Pterosauria

    This name refers to the entire family tree of the flying reptiles, which includes the short-tailed pterodactyloids and other long-tailed members from earlier periods. They are all called pterosaurs.

Pterosaurs: The Field Guide — book cover

On Kickstarter · August 1

Pterosaurs: The Field Guide

Every known genus, illustrated and documented in one book. We launch on Kickstarter August 1. Leave your email and we’ll send you the link the moment it goes live.