S487 - Nicely Preserved Ornithocheirid Pterosaur Tooth (cf Ornithocheirus sp) - Cretaceous Elrhaz Fm

Observations: With only one isolated tooth, it is very difficult to arrive at a precise taxonomic ID. The morphology of this tooth undoubtedly belongs to an Ornithocheirid Pterosaur.

Ornithocheirid pterosaur fossils from the Early Cretaceous (approx. 125–112 Ma) Elrhaz Formation of Niger, primarily found in the Gadoufaoua region, are generally represented by rare teeth and claws. These fossils represent large, specialized, fish-eating, flying reptiles. 

Key details regarding Ornithocheirid fossils from the Elrhaz Formation:

Fossil Type: Primarily teeth (often 1 inch or longer) and sometimes claws.
Identification: Classified as Ornithocheiridae indet. (indeterminate) orcf. Ornithocheirus.
Characteristics: These teeth are consistent with, or related to, Ornithocheirus, characterized by a snout with a keeled crest and, in related forms, an expanded rosette of teeth.
Environment: The fossils originate from the Cretaceous deposits of the Ténéré Desert.
Context: The Elrhaz Formation is known for a diverse vertebrate fauna, including dinosaurs like Ouranosaurus and Lurdusaurus.

It was believed in the past that Ornithocheirus was one of the largest pterosaurs to have existed, with a wingspan possibly measuring 40 feet (12.2 m) wide.