Pteranodon

Pteranodon is a genus of large pterosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous period. It is one of the most famous and well-known prehistoric reptiles from the time of the dinosaurs. A pteranodon appeared in the 1933 film King Kong, and is the basis for the popular, Rodan.

King Kong (1933)
After defeating the Cave Serpent, King Kong followed Ann Darrow onto the cliff outside his lair, where she was attacked by a pteranodon, which tried to carry her away. Kong attacked the pterosaur, freeing Ann. Jack Driscoll reached the cliff and rescued Ann while Kong battled the pteranodon. After killing the pteranodon, Kong tried to pull Ann and Jack back up by the vine they were climbing down, only for them to jump into the river below and escape unharmed.

Trivia

 * The Rodan is stated to be an irradiated pteranodon. Gyaos' design was also likely influenced by pteranodon.
 * In an early draft of Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2, two pteranodons would be featured in a scene set on Adonoa Island, where they battle MechaGodzilla. The female is killed, but the male is knocked unconscious but exposed to radiation and becomes Rodan. This draft also featured a flashback to the Cretaceous showing a pteranodon battling a Godzillasaurus. The finished draft of the film features a pteranodon skeleton, while pteranodons are mentioned several times.
 * In the the 2005 remake of King Kong, the pteranodon is replaced by a swarm of Terapusmordax, giant man-eating bat creatures.