The fossil remains of this species have been found only in the Solnhofen limestone of Bavaria, Germany, dated to the late Jurassic Period (early Tithonian), about 150.8–148.5 million years ago.

[3] The validity of P. scolopaciceps was viewed with skepticism: Johann Andreas Wagner believed that any diagnostic features could be attributed to taphonomic artefacts or misinterpretations of the fossil.

Karl Alfred Ritter von Zittel agreed with Wagner's assessment, and in 1883, synonymised it with P. kochi (now considered its own genus, Diopecephalus).

The generic name derives from the Greek aero (wind) and dactylus (finger), and was chosen in reference to Aerodactyl, a Pokémon based on an amalgamation of different pterosaur groups.

He contended that A. scolopaciceps was named based on skull features that were only trivially different from those of Pterodactylus, that Aerodactylus was founded on an unnatural assemblage of specimens, and that no evidence had been presented to rule out the effects of taphonomy or individual variation.

Like all pterosaurs, the wings of Aerodactylus were formed by a skin and muscle membrane stretching from its elongated fourth finger to its hind limbs.

The teeth extended back from the tips of both jaws, and the tooth row ended before the front of the nasoantorbital fenestra, the largest opening in the skull.

The lappet was composed mainly of long, stiffened fibres twisted together in a spiral pattern inside a conical sheath of soft tissue.