This suborder is paraphyletic unlike the Pterodactyloidea, which arose from within the Rhamphorhynchoidea as opposed to a more distant common ancestor. Because it is not a completely natural grouping, Rhamphorhynchoidea is not used as a formal group in most scientific literature, though some pterosaur scientists continue to use it as an informal grouping in popular works, such as The Pterosaurs: From Deep Time by David Unwin, and in some formal studies.
This suborder is not monophyletic, unlike Pterodactyloidea which developed from within Rhamphorhynchoidea. As a result, Rhamphorhynchoidea isn't used formally in most scientific literature but some pterosaur experts still use it informally in works like The Pterosaurs: From Deep Time by David Unwin and in certain formal studies.