Quetzalcoatlus wittonandnaishi

A flightless species of quetzalcoatlus which has traded in its wings (figuratively) for a larger gut, giving it the ability to exploit a wider range of foodstuffs. It is a large generalist, eating everything from small dinosaurs and fishes to fruits, large nuts, and occasionally, leaves. Its beak is thicker and shorter than its aerial counterpart to reflect this enhanced omnivory. It can gallop at a relatively high speed when threatened. Its front limbs are leaner than Q. northropi's, because it no longer needs to fly, but it can use its wings to hop and glide a bit. The wings are shortened and the membrane connecting fore-and hindlimbs is much reduced. Its back leg are a tad beefier and the body just a bit longer. The neck is more muscular and slightly more flexible. But, it's still a species of Quetzalcoatlus, so the differences aren't that massive. Speaking of mass, I'd put this thing around 600 kg, while standing about the same height as Q. northropi.

Still trying to figure out a reason for these to evolve. I want to do a spec evo project of a post-dino azhdarchid radiation, but i can't think of a reason for azhdarchids to survive past the K-Pg extinction in their giant form. I've a few more, slightly more derived Maastrichtian flightless azhdarchids descended from this one in my mind. I see this species as the common ancestor of all of the life of the alt-Cenozoic. If you've any ideas let me know.

Named after Mark Witton and Darren Naish of Witton and Naish 2008, which proposed the terrestrial stalker hypothesis for azhdarchids.