“ The dagger beak of Phosphatodraco. The nine foot-tall predator that stalks through these colonies, looking for a chance to snatch an unguarded hatchling. ”
Phosphatodraco (Phosphate Dragon) is a genus of azhdarchid pterosaur that lived in the Ouled Abdoun Basin in Morocco, North Africa, 66 million years ago, during the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous Period.
“ One of the most interesting - because they are the most bizarre - are the azhdarchid pterosaurs, and to try and describe what an azhdarchid pterosaur is like is very difficult. They stand as tall as giraffes, they've got heads that may have been 2 meters long, wingspans of 10 meters... they're just some of the most bizarre things to have ever evolved on Earth. ”
― Dr. Mark Witton, Paleoartist & Paleontologist
Much like the still-unnamed azhdarchid from Mongolia, Phosphatodraco is only known from a few neck vertebrae. But from these fragmentary remains, it is estimated to be a medium-sized azhdarchid, standing at least 2.75 meters (9 feet) tall,[PhP 1] with a wingspan of 4 - 5 meters (13 - 16 feet).[1][2] These measurements make Phosphatodraco around the same size as Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni, which is half the size of larger azhdarchids like the more widely-recognized Quetzalcoatlus northropi. Hence, based on the calculated weight of Q. lawsoni as of 2022,[3]Phosphatodraco may have weighed a mere 65 kilograms (143 pounds), though it should be noted that this is just a rough estimate given how the physique of Phosphatodraco, though yet to be fully determined, may be different compared to that of Q. lawsoni.
In 2021, it was suggested that the remains of Tethydraco are merely the wings of Phosphatodraco, which, if true, would make the former a junior synonym of the latter. However, a 2022 study supported the idea that Tethydraco is a distinct species, a pteranodontian just as how Prehistoric Planet depicted it.[5]
Prehistoric Planet's Portrayal[]
Phosphatodraco concept art by Gaëlle Seguillon. The image's original filename indicates that this was intended to be a male.
On Prehistoric Planet, Phosphatodraco is shown with a dull yellow "dagger beak" that ends with a dark, pencil-like tip, a "mask" of red, orange, and yellow shades over the eyes, light-colored irises that give it the appearance of having pin-pricked pupils, a low ridge serving as its head crest, and a dull pycnofiber coat of whites, grays, and browns. Based on the latter two characteristics, the few individuals seen on the show appear to be females given how most of the female pterosaurs on the show are duller in coloration and less ornate than the males (with the females of closely-related azhdarchid Hatzegopteryx also possessing a similar-looking low ridge on their heads as opposed to the tall, thin blade-like crests of the males). However, the vibrant patches around their eyes correspond with the more colorful displays expected of male animals, and official concept art by Gaëlle Seguillon shows that the conceived design was originally meant to depict the male.[PhP 2] It is also possible that Prehistoric Planet did not intend to portray Phosphatodraco as a sexually dimorphic species, meaning that both males and females possess the same appearance and coloration.
The Ouled Abdoun Basin by the shores of Morocco, North Africa
“ It's especially rich here in the North Atlantic, where huge shoals of fish come close to the shore. One kind of animal thrives in such places and forms immense colonies. Flying reptiles, pterosaurs. Here, on the beaches of North Africa, there are seven different species of them. They come here to feed, to rest, and to raise their young. ”
It was once believed that pterosaurs declined in diversity towards the end of the Cretaceous. But on the shores of what would one day become the Ouled Abdoun Phosphatic Basin, west of the Atlas Mountains, seven different species of pterosaurs (among them Phosphatodraco, Tethydraco, Barbaridactylus, and Alcione) showed that, up to the end, the pterosaurs were successful and diverse, only to be abruptly rendered extinct by the Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction Event, which wiped out three-quarters of life on Earth 66 million years ago.
Hunting Tactics and Feeding Preferences[]
“ Pterosaurs would have been an awe-inspiring sight in the sky, but these giants were even more impressive and terrifying on the ground. ”
As discussed in the Uncovered segment "Could Giant Pterosaurs Really Hunt on the Ground?", azhdarchids were not agile enough to pursue airborne prey, and their necks were not strong enough to withstand the stresses of skim-feeding like various fishing birds. For these reasons, azhdarchids were likely terrestrial hunters, with preserved azhdarchid footprints supporting the fact that they were competent enough to walk on all fours. Hence, while their flight capabilities allowed them to survey great distances and search for prey from above, once azhdarchids have found viable targets, they likely preferred to stalk and pursue their prey on the ground.[6]
“ Azhdarchids combined this very competent terrestrial walking ability with this massive long stork-like face. They almost certainly were predators that walked around reaching down to grab animals. ”
― Dr. Darren Naish, Lead Scientific Consultant
Being as opportunistic as any predator, rather than take flight to hunt for prey more actively, Phosphatodraco preferred to conserve its energy and walk along the beach, through a colony of Tethydraco, in hopes of grabbing unguarded pterosaur hatchlings with its "dagger beak" regardless of what species they are, given how juveniles are defenseless and easier to swallow whole. Given how it towered over the them, it was completely unfazed by several of the Tethydraco clacking their beaks at it to keep it away, though it wisely did not pick unnecessary fights with them, and instead continued to scour the colony in hopes of grabbing a meal.
Appearance[]
In the second segment of Coasts, set in Northern Africa, a colony of Tethydraco, along with a few Alcione and Barbaridactylus, gather on the beach, with one parent shown trying to keep its chick close to it. The concern of the parent made sense given the presence of a Phosphatodraco walking through the colony. The Tethydraco clack their beaks to keep the larger pterosaur away from their nests and chicks, though the azhdarchid remained undaunted, completely disregarding these warnings as it continued patrolling through their colony. A brief wide view of the beach from above reveals that there are at least two more Phosphatodraco walking through the colony, searching for easy prey to snatch.
“ A crash landing in the colony. It's no place for a hatchling on its own. ”
Sometime later, while attempting to escape a group of Barbaridactylus trying to feast on them, one Alcione hatchling crashes down on the beach. The Tethydraco look on as the Alcione hatchling tries to stand up, while a Phosphatodraco closes in on it, clacking its beak in satisfaction before grabbing the hatchling, devouring it as it screeched its last. The Tethydraco give one last glance as the predator swallowed and savored its meal, serving as a reminder of what fate could befall their chicks should they be left unguarded, before one turned its attention back to the Alcione that are still airborne, attempting to escape the Barbaridactylus.
Trivia[]
Phosphatodraco is the only pterosaur on Prehistoric Planet not shown interacting with others of its kind, despite there being at least three individuals featured in its sole appearance.
Prior to the release of "Prehistoric Planet: Immersive" on the Apple Vision Pro, Phosphatodraco and Tethydraco were only featured in the second segment of Coasts, not including stock footage of the Tethydraco colony being used in the Uncovered segment "Flamboyant Flyers". With Tethydraco making a second, distinct appearance in "Pterosaur Beach", the first episode of Prehistoric Planet: Immersive, Phosphatodraco is left as the only pterosaur of the show without a second appearance of any sort. This also leaves it as the only pterosaur in the series that was never seen flying onscreen.
↑Prehistoric Planet Character Designs by Gaëlle Seguillon. The original filename of the Phosphatodraco image is "gaelle-seguillon-gaelle-seguillon-prehistoric-planet-coast-phosphatodraco-male-web.jpg", indicating that the design seen on the show was originally intended to be for the male.
