[1] Dawndraco is based on the holotype specimen UALVP 24238, a partial skeleton including an almost complete skull and lower jaws.

It was recovered in 1974 by Richard C. Fox and Allen Lindoe from rocks of the lower part of the Smoky Hill Chalk Member of the Niobrara Formation in Utica, Kansas.

Kellner further argued that the provenance of the specimen - from rock units between those of other Pteranodon holotypes - supported his interpretation of morphological differences as being taxonomic in nature, rather than relating to growth or gender.

They concluded that UALVP 24238 is better interpreted as a small (not fully osteologically mature) individual of the larger size-class (male) of Pteranodon sternbergi.

[2] Their interpretation echoes sceptism expressed about the 2010 Pteranodon revision from other palaeontologists,[3][4] several of whom have continued to use pre-2010 taxonomies when discussing the Smoky Hill Chalk pteranodonts.