Twelve new dinosaur teeth have recently been recovered from three localities in the Upper Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation of the Songliao Basin.Although fragmentary,the material offers enough evidence to identify the fo...Twelve new dinosaur teeth have recently been recovered from three localities in the Upper Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation of the Songliao Basin.Although fragmentary,the material offers enough evidence to identify the following taxa:tyrannosaurids,dromaeosaurines,velociraptorines,hadrosauroids,and titanosaurs.In addition to the previously known dinosaurs from the basin,several new ones have been identified,extending the paleogeographic range of related taxa.The discovery of these new fossil remains provides valuable insights into dinosaur diversity and sheds light on the terrestrial ecosystem during the Late Cretaceous in the Songliao Basin.展开更多
The Upper Cretaceous of Tantou Basin in western Henan has yielded many vertebrate fossils,which are featured by several non-avian dinosaurs.Meanwhile,studies on their eggs were yet inadequate though many eggshells hav...The Upper Cretaceous of Tantou Basin in western Henan has yielded many vertebrate fossils,which are featured by several non-avian dinosaurs.Meanwhile,studies on their eggs were yet inadequate though many eggshells have been reported.The newly discovered material 41HⅤ0199 was excavated from the Upper Cretaceous Qiupa Formation in 2021.The block preserves eight complete eggs arranged in two partial rings that form a partial clutch,and there are some scattered eggshells preserved closely with the block,showing a concave-up to concave-down ratio of 54.5:45.5,which indicates that the scattered eggshells come from the clutch and the clutch had been partially broken before it was buried.Based on morphological and microstructural characteristics,the eggs and eggshells can be assigned to Macroolithus yaotunensis(Elongatoolithidae),an oospecies known to be related to oviraptorids,which leads Yulong mini to be its probable producer.Besides,some eggshells show microstructural signs indicating egg retention,which marks the second example of egg retention in the oofamily Elongatoolithidae.展开更多
A new dinosaur tracksite was discovered in a steeply inclined sandstone layer of the Middle Jurassic Sanjianfang Formation in the Shanshan area of the Turpan Basin. The site is the first record of dinosaur footprints ...A new dinosaur tracksite was discovered in a steeply inclined sandstone layer of the Middle Jurassic Sanjianfang Formation in the Shanshan area of the Turpan Basin. The site is the first record of dinosaur footprints from Xinjiang Province in northwestern China. More than 150 tridactyl theropod dinosaur footprints are preserved as positive hyporeliefs on the lower bedding plane of a fine-grained sandstone body. Most of the footprints are isolated and appear to be randomly distributed. Some show well defined phalangeal pads, heels and rarely indistinct impressions of the distal part of the metatarsus. Two distinct morphotypes are present: a larger type with relatively broad pads shows similarities to Changpeipus and Megalosauripus, and a slightly smaller, slender and gracile type which is similar to Grallator, Eubrontes and Anchisauripus. In both morphotypes, digit III is the longest with a length between 11.4 and 33.6 cm. A single imprint shows prominent scratches, probably formed during slipping of the track maker.展开更多
Anchiornis huxleyi, which is a member of the Middle-Late Jurassic Yanliao Biota, is the smallest feathered dinosaur ever known. It has been described as a critical link between feathered dinosaurs and birds. Recent st...Anchiornis huxleyi, which is a member of the Middle-Late Jurassic Yanliao Biota, is the smallest feathered dinosaur ever known. It has been described as a critical link between feathered dinosaurs and birds. Recent studies, including those of Anchiornis, Xiaotingia, Eosinopteryx and Aurornis, challenged Archaeopteryx as the most basal bird. The new Anchiornis huxleyi specimens that are described in this paper show some minor different characters compared to previously reported Anchiornis specimens, which has revised the character list of Anchiornis and indicates a different phylogenetic point from former opinions.展开更多
Dinosaurs due to their diverse species and peculiar forms have drawn the interest of both artists and scientists. One way to unlock the unknown life of dinosaurs is to reconstruct dinosaurs through drawings, computer ...Dinosaurs due to their diverse species and peculiar forms have drawn the interest of both artists and scientists. One way to unlock the unknown life of dinosaurs is to reconstruct dinosaurs through drawings, computer animations or sculptures. Following the Introduction on “Dinosaur Reconstruction” by the present authors, where important Paleontological knowledge was presented, the next step is to examine some specific information along with necessary details for dinosaur reconstruction. The first and basic step to be taken for a reconstruction is the posture of the animal;this is the theme of the current paper. Dinosaurs would move either bipedally or quadrupedally depending on their kind and body construction. Based on the available literature, various issues in relation to the posture of an animal at different instances are examined. These are: postures of bipedal dinosaurs during walking, observation of living bipedal animals, postures of quadruped dinosaurs during walking, feeding styles, and dinosaur tails. Theropods had a locomotor behavior like modern birds, with the step width increasing when the animals decreased speed. The general posture and movement of quadrupeds and especially sauropods, remains a subject of great and much controversy. Some scientists believe that sauropod necks were generally held in a neutral or undeflected state during most of the time, while others believe that sauropod necks behaved like all present-day amniote with the mid-cervical region held nearly vertical. Also, there are indications that dinosaurs usually held their tails above ground. For all dinosaurs, the long tail was acting as a counterbalance to the head and body. As a validating example, the case of Amargasaurus is investigated with the help of a model, where the various positions of the animal are examined. A certain posture was chosen for a full-size steel and concrete reconstruction based on the features of the animal.展开更多
A new gigantic sauropod, Huabeisaurus allocotus gen. et sp. nov., about 20 m in length and 5 m in height, was discovered in the Upper Cretaceous Huiquanpu Formation, Tianzhen County, Shanxi Province. It is notably dif...A new gigantic sauropod, Huabeisaurus allocotus gen. et sp. nov., about 20 m in length and 5 m in height, was discovered in the Upper Cretaceous Huiquanpu Formation, Tianzhen County, Shanxi Province. It is notably different from Diplodocidae, Titanosauridae and Nemegtosauridae in the following aspects: the teeth are strong, peglike with a length ratio of the tooth crown to tooth root at about 3 to 1; the cervical vertebrae are long with forked spines; the spines in dorsal vertebrae are relatively high, unbifurcated; the caudal vertebrae are amphicoelous, with anterior neural spines and unbifurcated spines and chevrons; the femur is straight and long, narrow and flat and the tibia and fibula are long and flat. These characters show that the described genus should represent a new family, Huabeisauridae fam. nov. The discovery enriches the sauropod dinosaur record in China, and is quite significant to the study of the taxonomy, evolution, migration, extinction and palaeobiogeographic provincialism of the Late Cretaceous sauropod dinosaurs.展开更多
A new basal hadrosauriform dinosaur, Xuwulongyueluni gen. et sp. nov., is reported based on an articulated specimen including a complete cranium, almost complete axial skeleton, and complete left pelvic girdle. The sp...A new basal hadrosauriform dinosaur, Xuwulongyueluni gen. et sp. nov., is reported based on an articulated specimen including a complete cranium, almost complete axial skeleton, and complete left pelvic girdle. The specimen is recovered from the Early Cretaceous Yujingzi Basin in the Jiuquan area, Gansu Province of northwestern China. Xuwulong is among the most basal members of hadrosauriform dinosaurs, and distinguished by its unique lower jaw in having a V-shaped rostral end of the dentary in lateral view and a mandibular articular surface which levels with mid-height of the dentary ramus, as well as an enlarged and downturned prepubic process. Including Xuwulong, three basal hadrosauriforms have been discovered from the Early Cretaceous Xinminpu Group in the Mazongshan area, making it an important area to study the origin and early evolution of duck-billed dinosaurs.展开更多
Here, we examine 145 dinosaur eggshells from a new fossil locality in the Qiupa Formation （Upper Cretaceous） of the Luanchuan area in western Henan Province, China. The eggshells display elongatoolithid macro- and m...Here, we examine 145 dinosaur eggshells from a new fossil locality in the Qiupa Formation （Upper Cretaceous） of the Luanchuan area in western Henan Province, China. The eggshells display elongatoolithid macro- and microstructures, including ridges and nodes on the outer surface, two ultrastructurai layers, and an undulatory boundary between the mammillary and continuous layers. A phylogenic analysis shows that the Luanchuan eggshells belong to the ooclade Elongatoolithidae. Within Elongatoolithidae, the thickness ratio of the mammillary layer to the entire eggshell, and the porosity of the Luanchuan eggshells are comparable to the oogenera Macroolithus and Elongatoolithus. There is no direct evidence for the taxonomic identity of the Luanchuan eggshells; however, they were likely laid by oviraptorids based on their phylogenetic position and their similarities with known oviraptorid eggs.展开更多
A new ootype collected from the Upper Cretaceous Lijiacun Formation in the Shangdan Basin,Shaanxi Province is described in this paper. Based on general external shape, size, eggshell thickness and honeycomb-like eggsh...A new ootype collected from the Upper Cretaceous Lijiacun Formation in the Shangdan Basin,Shaanxi Province is described in this paper. Based on general external shape, size, eggshell thickness and honeycomb-like eggshell microstructure, eggs are referable to the oofamily Faveoloolithidae. Compared with other members of Faveoloolithidae, specimens described in this paper show special characteristics:adjacent pores are usually separated by two eggshell units between which often develop interspaces;columnar eggshell units are relatively closely arranged in radial view. According to these characteristics,we erect a new oogenus and a new oospecies: Duovallumoolithus shangdanensis oogen. et oosp. nov. The new discovery expands the diversity of Faveoloolithidae.展开更多
The dentary diastema of iguanodontians has been considered to be related to its unique jaw mechanism for herbivorous adaptation. The dentary and diastema lengths of iguanodontians were measured and compared to elucida...The dentary diastema of iguanodontians has been considered to be related to its unique jaw mechanism for herbivorous adaptation. The dentary and diastema lengths of iguanodontians were measured and compared to elucidate the evolution of iguanodontian diastema. A gap in ratios between most non-hadrosaurid iguanodontians and hadrosaurids was observed, suggesting that all non- hadrosaurid iguanodontians, expect for Ouranosaurus nigeriensis and Protohadros byrdi, lack a diastema or have a short diastema, although some other taxa have been considered to have a long diastema in previous studies. In non-hadrosaurid iguanodontians, some large-sized forms, such as Iguanodon bernissartensis, Shuangmiaosaurus gilmorei, and possibly Eolambia caroljonesa, had a short diastema through ontogeny, whereas Ouranosaurus nigeriensis and Protohadros byrdi developed a long diastema convergently. The development of a long diastema of hadrosaurine hadrosaurids may be different from that of lambeosaurine hadrosaurids. Some hadrosaurines （Edmontosaurus annectens, Edmontosaurus regalis, and Saurolophus angustirostris） may have developed a long diastema in the subadult stage and showed little elongation of dentary diastema through ontogeny. Lambeosaurines （Corythosaurus casuarius and Lambeosaurus lambei） tend to have a short diastema in the embryonic and subadult stages, and an elongated diastema from the subadult to adult stages.展开更多
The Zhutian and Dafeng formations （Upper Cretaceous） of the Heyuan Basin in northeastern Guangdong Province, China, have produced thousands of dinosaur eggs. Macromorphological features （egg diameter, egg shape, ou...The Zhutian and Dafeng formations （Upper Cretaceous） of the Heyuan Basin in northeastern Guangdong Province, China, have produced thousands of dinosaur eggs. Macromorphological features （egg diameter, egg shape, outer surface texture, and shell thickness） of 461 eggs were analyzed using non-destructive techniques and subjected to statistical analyses in order to assess their diversity and taxonomic affinities. Three types （1, 2 and 3） of eggs were discerned based on shape and outer surface morphology. Type 1 eggs are spherical to ellipsoidal in shape and have a rough surface. Three subtypes （Type 1-A-l, l-A-2, and l-B） are apparent from scatter plots and cluster analyses of egg diameters and shell thickness. Type 2 eggs are elongate with linear ornamentation on the surface, and are comparable to eggs that belong to the oofamily Elongatoolithidae. Type 3 eggs are elongate with a smooth surface, and are assigned to the oofamily Prismatoolithidae. Macromorphological features of the various egg types suggest that Type 1 could have been laid by ornithischian, sauropod or therizinosaur dinosaurs, Type 2 by oviraptorids, and Type 3 by troodontids. This study represents the first comprehensive statistical analysis of macrofeatures of dinosaur eggs, and reveals taxonomic diversity in the dinosaurs that were laying eggs in the Upper Cretaceous Heyuan area heretofore unrecognized in skeletal remains.展开更多
The oldest dinosaur assemblages of Thailand deposit in continental sedimentary rocks of the Nam Phong Formation. Not only Isanosaurus attavipatchi was discovered but at least two more species of basal sauropods were f...The oldest dinosaur assemblages of Thailand deposit in continental sedimentary rocks of the Nam Phong Formation. Not only Isanosaurus attavipatchi was discovered but at least two more species of basal sauropods were found. A partial skeleton from Phu Hin Tan locality refers to sauropod taxon A. It is different from Isanosaurus and shares some characteristics with basal sauropods in the Early Jurassic. The sauropod taxon B was found in Non Sra Ard locality. Base on postcranial skeleton, sauropod taxon B shares some characteristics of the family Vnlcanodontidae. Moreover, several fragments of the sauropods specimen are also found in Pha Khok Wang Yang and Phu Noi localities. All of the evidences above indicate that there are a highly diversity of sauropods in the Nam Phong Formation. At least three sauropod species （including Isanosaurus） were found in the Nam Phong formation. The issue about the age of the Nam Phong has been debated for a long time between the Triassic and Jurassic age. All of sauropodomorphs, in this study, are more likely the Early Jurassic period dinosaurs than the Triassic period dinosaurs. And they have deposited in the upper part of Nam Phong Formation.展开更多
A new theropod dinosaur, Shidaisaurusjinae gen. et sp. nov., has been described on the basis of an incomplete skeleton. The specimen was found near the base of the Upper Lufeng Formation （early Middle Jurassic） in Y...A new theropod dinosaur, Shidaisaurusjinae gen. et sp. nov., has been described on the basis of an incomplete skeleton. The specimen was found near the base of the Upper Lufeng Formation （early Middle Jurassic） in Yunnan, China. It is the first theropod dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Yunnan. Shidaisaurus jinae is distinguishable from other Jurassic theropods by certain features from the braincase, axis, and pelvic girdle. The absence of any pleurocoels in the axis or in any anterior dorsal vertebrae suggests that the new Lufeng theropod is relatively primitive and more plesiomorphic than most of the Middle to Late Jurassic theropods from China. Most Chinese taxa of Jurassic theropod dinosaurs have not been well described; a further detailed study will be necessary for us to determine their phylogenetic relationships with Shidaisaurusjinae.展开更多
The 2019 Annual Symposium on Yunyang Dinosaur Fossil Protection and Research was held in Chongqing on December 16,2019.It was proposed in the symposium that the dinosaurs discovered from the early Middle Jurassic Xint...The 2019 Annual Symposium on Yunyang Dinosaur Fossil Protection and Research was held in Chongqing on December 16,2019.It was proposed in the symposium that the dinosaurs discovered from the early Middle Jurassic Xintiangou Formation in Yunyang,Chongqing could represent a new dinosaur fauna.Previously,only a few dinosaurs have been reported from the Xintiangou Formation.Moreover,the Xintiangou dinosaurs are playing an important role in studying the evolutionary sequence of dinosaurs,and have the potential to fill the gaps during the Early-Middle dinosaur turnover.展开更多
Recent geological and paleontological exploration in the Indus basin of Pakistan allowed the discoveries of numerous remains of non-marine reptiles( titanosaurian sauropod,abelisaurian and noasaurian theropod dinosaur...Recent geological and paleontological exploration in the Indus basin of Pakistan allowed the discoveries of numerous remains of non-marine reptiles( titanosaurian sauropod,abelisaurian and noasaurian theropod dinosaurs),and marine reptiles( crocodiles),flying reptiles( pterosaurs),marine and non-marine mammals,fishes,invertebrates,and plants,especially Pakistan is relatively rich in footprints / trackways in the Mesozoic.These vertebrates of Indo-Pakistan are very significant for paleobiogeographic study due to the present-day connection of this continent with Asia in Northern Hemisphere,whereas during past( Jurassic and pre-Jurassic) it was connected to the Gondwana. The Mesozoic vertebrates show close affinities with Gondwanan landmasses.The Cenozoic vertebrates show Eurasian affinity and migrated from Indo-Pak subcontinent to Eurasia or vice versa via Paleo Indus River systems along Western Indus Suture,after long journey of about 6 000 km the first collision of Indo-Pak subcontinent with Asia occurred at terminal Cretaceous.展开更多
Dinosaur extinction of the late Cretaceous is an enigma. A scorched earth layer was discovered at the end of the Cretaceous system from drilling cores in west of Nei Monggol in China. And there was a creature interrup...Dinosaur extinction of the late Cretaceous is an enigma. A scorched earth layer was discovered at the end of the Cretaceous system from drilling cores in west of Nei Monggol in China. And there was a creature interruption for 6-8 million years after that period through fossil analysis of the area and the adjacent area. Just in the same system of scorched earth layer, the Polish scientists found the abnormal geo chemical phenomena and high dense universal substances generally contained in meteorite. The authors think, at the end of Cretaceous, many celestial bodies ran into the earth. The collision caused fires all over the world and slowed down the speed of the earth rotation suddenly. The oxygen density decreased sharply. And because of the sudden increase of day length, the biological clock of dinosaur was in the state of chaos. That’s the reason why dinosaurs got extinct. It took a very long time both for the oxygen to return normal for most creatures to live and for the new species fit for new rotation speed of the earth to come into being. That’s why there was the creature interruption after the extinction of the dinosaur.展开更多
1 Dinosaur Eggs in Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province In February 2017, dinosaur egg fossils were discovered in China Town part of Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province. They were confirmed by dinosaur experts from the Zhejiang Muse...1 Dinosaur Eggs in Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province In February 2017, dinosaur egg fossils were discovered in China Town part of Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province. They were confirmed by dinosaur experts from the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History to be those of Mesozoic herbivorous dinosaurs （Fig. 1）. Not long before, Yiwu Museum staff had discovered dinosaur eggs close by this place.展开更多
In June 2017, the Chongqing Municipal Govemment and Chinese scientists announced the discovery of a world -class dinosaur assemblage in Pu＇an, a town of Yunyang County, Chongqing. This group of skeletons was buried i...In June 2017, the Chongqing Municipal Govemment and Chinese scientists announced the discovery of a world -class dinosaur assemblage in Pu＇an, a town of Yunyang County, Chongqing. This group of skeletons was buried in the Jurassic Ziliujing Formation Da＇anzhai member and the lower and upper members of the Shaximiao Formation.展开更多
Four main dinosaur-bearing sites have been investigated in latest Cretaceous deposits from the Amur/Heilongjiang Region ： Jiayin and Wulaga in China （ Yuliangze Formation）, Blagoveschensk and Kundur in Russia （Udu...Four main dinosaur-bearing sites have been investigated in latest Cretaceous deposits from the Amur/Heilongjiang Region ： Jiayin and Wulaga in China （ Yuliangze Formation）, Blagoveschensk and Kundur in Russia （Udurchukan Formation）. More than 90% of the bones discovered in these localities belong to hollow-crested lambeosaurine hadrosaurids： Charonosaurus fiayinensis at Jiayin, Amurosaurus riabinini at Blagoveschensk, Olorotitan arharensis at Kundur, and Sahaliyania elunchunorum at Wulaga. Flat-headed hadrosaurine hadrosaurids are much less numerous, but appear well diversified as well： Kerberosaurus manakini at Blagoveschensk, Wulagasaurus dongi at Wulaga, and a new genus at Kundur. Theropods are represented by shed teeth and isolated bones; isolated scutes and teeth discovered at Kundur are tentatively attributed to nodosaurids. Palynological studies suggest that these sites are probably synchronous with the Lancian＇ vertebrate localities of western North America, which represent the youngest dinosaur faunas in this area. However, the latest Cretaceous dinosaur assemblages are completely different in the Amur/Heilongjiang region （lambeosaurines abundant, ceratopsids absent） and in western North America （ceratopsids abundant, lainbeosaurines extremely rare or absent）. This probably reflects some kind of geographical barrier between both areas by Maastrichtian time rather than strong differences in palaeoecological conditions.展开更多
An alvarezsaurid dinosaur skeleton was discovered from the Late Cretaceous Qiupa Formation of Luanchuan,Henan Province of eenttral China.It represents a new alvarezsaurid dinosaur Qiupanykus zhangi gen.et sp.nov.A phy...An alvarezsaurid dinosaur skeleton was discovered from the Late Cretaceous Qiupa Formation of Luanchuan,Henan Province of eenttral China.It represents a new alvarezsaurid dinosaur Qiupanykus zhangi gen.et sp.nov.A phylogenetic analysis recovers Qiupanykus nested within the unresolved clade,which includes Asian and north American taxa.The skeleton of the new specimen is preserved in association with eggshells.The eggshell morphologies show that these eggs belong to oviraptorid eggs,skeletal remains of which were discovered from the same area.The alvarezsaurid skeleton associated with eggshell fragments may indicate that these eggs were broken by the strong thumb-claws of the former and that alvarezsaurid dinosaurs may be egg-eaters.展开更多
基金supported financially by China Geological Survey(Grant No.DD20230221)the Key Laboratory of Stratigraphy and Palaeontology,Ministry of Natural Resources(Grant No.KLSP SP202301)National Nature Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41202012).
文摘Twelve new dinosaur teeth have recently been recovered from three localities in the Upper Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation of the Songliao Basin.Although fragmentary,the material offers enough evidence to identify the following taxa:tyrannosaurids,dromaeosaurines,velociraptorines,hadrosauroids,and titanosaurs.In addition to the previously known dinosaurs from the basin,several new ones have been identified,extending the paleogeographic range of related taxa.The discovery of these new fossil remains provides valuable insights into dinosaur diversity and sheds light on the terrestrial ecosystem during the Late Cretaceous in the Songliao Basin.
文摘The Upper Cretaceous of Tantou Basin in western Henan has yielded many vertebrate fossils,which are featured by several non-avian dinosaurs.Meanwhile,studies on their eggs were yet inadequate though many eggshells have been reported.The newly discovered material 41HⅤ0199 was excavated from the Upper Cretaceous Qiupa Formation in 2021.The block preserves eight complete eggs arranged in two partial rings that form a partial clutch,and there are some scattered eggshells preserved closely with the block,showing a concave-up to concave-down ratio of 54.5:45.5,which indicates that the scattered eggshells come from the clutch and the clutch had been partially broken before it was buried.Based on morphological and microstructural characteristics,the eggs and eggshells can be assigned to Macroolithus yaotunensis(Elongatoolithidae),an oospecies known to be related to oviraptorids,which leads Yulong mini to be its probable producer.Besides,some eggshells show microstructural signs indicating egg retention,which marks the second example of egg retention in the oofamily Elongatoolithidae.
文摘A new dinosaur tracksite was discovered in a steeply inclined sandstone layer of the Middle Jurassic Sanjianfang Formation in the Shanshan area of the Turpan Basin. The site is the first record of dinosaur footprints from Xinjiang Province in northwestern China. More than 150 tridactyl theropod dinosaur footprints are preserved as positive hyporeliefs on the lower bedding plane of a fine-grained sandstone body. Most of the footprints are isolated and appear to be randomly distributed. Some show well defined phalangeal pads, heels and rarely indistinct impressions of the distal part of the metatarsus. Two distinct morphotypes are present: a larger type with relatively broad pads shows similarities to Changpeipus and Megalosauripus, and a slightly smaller, slender and gracile type which is similar to Grallator, Eubrontes and Anchisauripus. In both morphotypes, digit III is the longest with a length between 11.4 and 33.6 cm. A single imprint shows prominent scratches, probably formed during slipping of the track maker.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant No.41372026)China Geological Survey(grant No.DD20160120)supported this research
文摘Anchiornis huxleyi, which is a member of the Middle-Late Jurassic Yanliao Biota, is the smallest feathered dinosaur ever known. It has been described as a critical link between feathered dinosaurs and birds. Recent studies, including those of Anchiornis, Xiaotingia, Eosinopteryx and Aurornis, challenged Archaeopteryx as the most basal bird. The new Anchiornis huxleyi specimens that are described in this paper show some minor different characters compared to previously reported Anchiornis specimens, which has revised the character list of Anchiornis and indicates a different phylogenetic point from former opinions.
文摘Dinosaurs due to their diverse species and peculiar forms have drawn the interest of both artists and scientists. One way to unlock the unknown life of dinosaurs is to reconstruct dinosaurs through drawings, computer animations or sculptures. Following the Introduction on “Dinosaur Reconstruction” by the present authors, where important Paleontological knowledge was presented, the next step is to examine some specific information along with necessary details for dinosaur reconstruction. The first and basic step to be taken for a reconstruction is the posture of the animal;this is the theme of the current paper. Dinosaurs would move either bipedally or quadrupedally depending on their kind and body construction. Based on the available literature, various issues in relation to the posture of an animal at different instances are examined. These are: postures of bipedal dinosaurs during walking, observation of living bipedal animals, postures of quadruped dinosaurs during walking, feeding styles, and dinosaur tails. Theropods had a locomotor behavior like modern birds, with the step width increasing when the animals decreased speed. The general posture and movement of quadrupeds and especially sauropods, remains a subject of great and much controversy. Some scientists believe that sauropod necks were generally held in a neutral or undeflected state during most of the time, while others believe that sauropod necks behaved like all present-day amniote with the mid-cervical region held nearly vertical. Also, there are indications that dinosaurs usually held their tails above ground. For all dinosaurs, the long tail was acting as a counterbalance to the head and body. As a validating example, the case of Amargasaurus is investigated with the help of a model, where the various positions of the animal are examined. A certain posture was chosen for a full-size steel and concrete reconstruction based on the features of the animal.
文摘A new gigantic sauropod, Huabeisaurus allocotus gen. et sp. nov., about 20 m in length and 5 m in height, was discovered in the Upper Cretaceous Huiquanpu Formation, Tianzhen County, Shanxi Province. It is notably different from Diplodocidae, Titanosauridae and Nemegtosauridae in the following aspects: the teeth are strong, peglike with a length ratio of the tooth crown to tooth root at about 3 to 1; the cervical vertebrae are long with forked spines; the spines in dorsal vertebrae are relatively high, unbifurcated; the caudal vertebrae are amphicoelous, with anterior neural spines and unbifurcated spines and chevrons; the femur is straight and long, narrow and flat and the tibia and fibula are long and flat. These characters show that the described genus should represent a new family, Huabeisauridae fam. nov. The discovery enriches the sauropod dinosaur record in China, and is quite significant to the study of the taxonomy, evolution, migration, extinction and palaeobiogeographic provincialism of the Late Cretaceous sauropod dinosaurs.
基金provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41072019 and 90914003)the basic outlay of scientific research work from Ministry of Science and Technology(J1003)+1 种基金National Science Foundation (1024671)Gansu Provincial Bureau of Geo-Exploration and Mineral Development,and Gansu Geological Museum
文摘A new basal hadrosauriform dinosaur, Xuwulongyueluni gen. et sp. nov., is reported based on an articulated specimen including a complete cranium, almost complete axial skeleton, and complete left pelvic girdle. The specimen is recovered from the Early Cretaceous Yujingzi Basin in the Jiuquan area, Gansu Province of northwestern China. Xuwulong is among the most basal members of hadrosauriform dinosaurs, and distinguished by its unique lower jaw in having a V-shaped rostral end of the dentary in lateral view and a mandibular articular surface which levels with mid-height of the dentary ramus, as well as an enlarged and downturned prepubic process. Including Xuwulong, three basal hadrosauriforms have been discovered from the Early Cretaceous Xinminpu Group in the Mazongshan area, making it an important area to study the origin and early evolution of duck-billed dinosaurs.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(40872017)the Basic Outlay of Scientific Research Work from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China,and the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry,to L J.C
文摘Here, we examine 145 dinosaur eggshells from a new fossil locality in the Qiupa Formation （Upper Cretaceous） of the Luanchuan area in western Henan Province, China. The eggshells display elongatoolithid macro- and microstructures, including ridges and nodes on the outer surface, two ultrastructurai layers, and an undulatory boundary between the mammillary and continuous layers. A phylogenic analysis shows that the Luanchuan eggshells belong to the ooclade Elongatoolithidae. Within Elongatoolithidae, the thickness ratio of the mammillary layer to the entire eggshell, and the porosity of the Luanchuan eggshells are comparable to the oogenera Macroolithus and Elongatoolithus. There is no direct evidence for the taxonomic identity of the Luanchuan eggshells; however, they were likely laid by oviraptorids based on their phylogenetic position and their similarities with known oviraptorid eggs.
基金supported by the national natural science foundation (41672012, 41688103)
文摘A new ootype collected from the Upper Cretaceous Lijiacun Formation in the Shangdan Basin,Shaanxi Province is described in this paper. Based on general external shape, size, eggshell thickness and honeycomb-like eggshell microstructure, eggs are referable to the oofamily Faveoloolithidae. Compared with other members of Faveoloolithidae, specimens described in this paper show special characteristics:adjacent pores are usually separated by two eggshell units between which often develop interspaces;columnar eggshell units are relatively closely arranged in radial view. According to these characteristics,we erect a new oogenus and a new oospecies: Duovallumoolithus shangdanensis oogen. et oosp. nov. The new discovery expands the diversity of Faveoloolithidae.
文摘The dentary diastema of iguanodontians has been considered to be related to its unique jaw mechanism for herbivorous adaptation. The dentary and diastema lengths of iguanodontians were measured and compared to elucidate the evolution of iguanodontian diastema. A gap in ratios between most non-hadrosaurid iguanodontians and hadrosaurids was observed, suggesting that all non- hadrosaurid iguanodontians, expect for Ouranosaurus nigeriensis and Protohadros byrdi, lack a diastema or have a short diastema, although some other taxa have been considered to have a long diastema in previous studies. In non-hadrosaurid iguanodontians, some large-sized forms, such as Iguanodon bernissartensis, Shuangmiaosaurus gilmorei, and possibly Eolambia caroljonesa, had a short diastema through ontogeny, whereas Ouranosaurus nigeriensis and Protohadros byrdi developed a long diastema convergently. The development of a long diastema of hadrosaurine hadrosaurids may be different from that of lambeosaurine hadrosaurids. Some hadrosaurines （Edmontosaurus annectens, Edmontosaurus regalis, and Saurolophus angustirostris） may have developed a long diastema in the subadult stage and showed little elongation of dentary diastema through ontogeny. Lambeosaurines （Corythosaurus casuarius and Lambeosaurus lambei） tend to have a short diastema in the embryonic and subadult stages, and an elongated diastema from the subadult to adult stages.
基金supported by agrant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40872017)
文摘The Zhutian and Dafeng formations （Upper Cretaceous） of the Heyuan Basin in northeastern Guangdong Province, China, have produced thousands of dinosaur eggs. Macromorphological features （egg diameter, egg shape, outer surface texture, and shell thickness） of 461 eggs were analyzed using non-destructive techniques and subjected to statistical analyses in order to assess their diversity and taxonomic affinities. Three types （1, 2 and 3） of eggs were discerned based on shape and outer surface morphology. Type 1 eggs are spherical to ellipsoidal in shape and have a rough surface. Three subtypes （Type 1-A-l, l-A-2, and l-B） are apparent from scatter plots and cluster analyses of egg diameters and shell thickness. Type 2 eggs are elongate with linear ornamentation on the surface, and are comparable to eggs that belong to the oofamily Elongatoolithidae. Type 3 eggs are elongate with a smooth surface, and are assigned to the oofamily Prismatoolithidae. Macromorphological features of the various egg types suggest that Type 1 could have been laid by ornithischian, sauropod or therizinosaur dinosaurs, Type 2 by oviraptorids, and Type 3 by troodontids. This study represents the first comprehensive statistical analysis of macrofeatures of dinosaur eggs, and reveals taxonomic diversity in the dinosaurs that were laying eggs in the Upper Cretaceous Heyuan area heretofore unrecognized in skeletal remains.
基金supported by science achievement scholarship of Thailand(SAST)the National Research Council of Thailand(NRCT)+1 种基金the Thailand Research Fund(TRF)the Palaeontological Research and Education Centre(PRC)
文摘The oldest dinosaur assemblages of Thailand deposit in continental sedimentary rocks of the Nam Phong Formation. Not only Isanosaurus attavipatchi was discovered but at least two more species of basal sauropods were found. A partial skeleton from Phu Hin Tan locality refers to sauropod taxon A. It is different from Isanosaurus and shares some characteristics with basal sauropods in the Early Jurassic. The sauropod taxon B was found in Non Sra Ard locality. Base on postcranial skeleton, sauropod taxon B shares some characteristics of the family Vnlcanodontidae. Moreover, several fragments of the sauropods specimen are also found in Pha Khok Wang Yang and Phu Noi localities. All of the evidences above indicate that there are a highly diversity of sauropods in the Nam Phong Formation. At least three sauropod species （including Isanosaurus） were found in the Nam Phong formation. The issue about the age of the Nam Phong has been debated for a long time between the Triassic and Jurassic age. All of sauropodomorphs, in this study, are more likely the Early Jurassic period dinosaurs than the Triassic period dinosaurs. And they have deposited in the upper part of Nam Phong Formation.
基金supported by grants from the Canadian Museum of Nature and the National Science and Engineering Research Counsel of Canada (Grant No:203091-98).
文摘A new theropod dinosaur, Shidaisaurusjinae gen. et sp. nov., has been described on the basis of an incomplete skeleton. The specimen was found near the base of the Upper Lufeng Formation （early Middle Jurassic） in Yunnan, China. It is the first theropod dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Yunnan. Shidaisaurus jinae is distinguishable from other Jurassic theropods by certain features from the braincase, axis, and pelvic girdle. The absence of any pleurocoels in the axis or in any anterior dorsal vertebrae suggests that the new Lufeng theropod is relatively primitive and more plesiomorphic than most of the Middle to Late Jurassic theropods from China. Most Chinese taxa of Jurassic theropod dinosaurs have not been well described; a further detailed study will be necessary for us to determine their phylogenetic relationships with Shidaisaurusjinae.
基金granted by the Dinosaur Fossil Protection and Research in Pu’an Township,Yunyang County,Chongqing Program(KJ-2018035).
文摘The 2019 Annual Symposium on Yunyang Dinosaur Fossil Protection and Research was held in Chongqing on December 16,2019.It was proposed in the symposium that the dinosaurs discovered from the early Middle Jurassic Xintiangou Formation in Yunyang,Chongqing could represent a new dinosaur fauna.Previously,only a few dinosaurs have been reported from the Xintiangou Formation.Moreover,the Xintiangou dinosaurs are playing an important role in studying the evolutionary sequence of dinosaurs,and have the potential to fill the gaps during the Early-Middle dinosaur turnover.
文摘Recent geological and paleontological exploration in the Indus basin of Pakistan allowed the discoveries of numerous remains of non-marine reptiles( titanosaurian sauropod,abelisaurian and noasaurian theropod dinosaurs),and marine reptiles( crocodiles),flying reptiles( pterosaurs),marine and non-marine mammals,fishes,invertebrates,and plants,especially Pakistan is relatively rich in footprints / trackways in the Mesozoic.These vertebrates of Indo-Pakistan are very significant for paleobiogeographic study due to the present-day connection of this continent with Asia in Northern Hemisphere,whereas during past( Jurassic and pre-Jurassic) it was connected to the Gondwana. The Mesozoic vertebrates show close affinities with Gondwanan landmasses.The Cenozoic vertebrates show Eurasian affinity and migrated from Indo-Pak subcontinent to Eurasia or vice versa via Paleo Indus River systems along Western Indus Suture,after long journey of about 6 000 km the first collision of Indo-Pak subcontinent with Asia occurred at terminal Cretaceous.
文摘Dinosaur extinction of the late Cretaceous is an enigma. A scorched earth layer was discovered at the end of the Cretaceous system from drilling cores in west of Nei Monggol in China. And there was a creature interruption for 6-8 million years after that period through fossil analysis of the area and the adjacent area. Just in the same system of scorched earth layer, the Polish scientists found the abnormal geo chemical phenomena and high dense universal substances generally contained in meteorite. The authors think, at the end of Cretaceous, many celestial bodies ran into the earth. The collision caused fires all over the world and slowed down the speed of the earth rotation suddenly. The oxygen density decreased sharply. And because of the sudden increase of day length, the biological clock of dinosaur was in the state of chaos. That’s the reason why dinosaurs got extinct. It took a very long time both for the oxygen to return normal for most creatures to live and for the new species fit for new rotation speed of the earth to come into being. That’s why there was the creature interruption after the extinction of the dinosaur.
文摘1 Dinosaur Eggs in Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province In February 2017, dinosaur egg fossils were discovered in China Town part of Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province. They were confirmed by dinosaur experts from the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History to be those of Mesozoic herbivorous dinosaurs （Fig. 1）. Not long before, Yiwu Museum staff had discovered dinosaur eggs close by this place.
文摘In June 2017, the Chongqing Municipal Govemment and Chinese scientists announced the discovery of a world -class dinosaur assemblage in Pu＇an, a town of Yunyang County, Chongqing. This group of skeletons was buried in the Jurassic Ziliujing Formation Da＇anzhai member and the lower and upper members of the Shaximiao Formation.
基金the Belgian State,Federal Scientific Policy,S&T bilateral co-operation project BL/36/C22-R12National Geographic Society project 6970-01+4 种基金Jurassic FoundationFWOFNRSNSFC Project 30220130698supported by the Fonds pour la Formationàla Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture
文摘Four main dinosaur-bearing sites have been investigated in latest Cretaceous deposits from the Amur/Heilongjiang Region ： Jiayin and Wulaga in China （ Yuliangze Formation）, Blagoveschensk and Kundur in Russia （Udurchukan Formation）. More than 90% of the bones discovered in these localities belong to hollow-crested lambeosaurine hadrosaurids： Charonosaurus fiayinensis at Jiayin, Amurosaurus riabinini at Blagoveschensk, Olorotitan arharensis at Kundur, and Sahaliyania elunchunorum at Wulaga. Flat-headed hadrosaurine hadrosaurids are much less numerous, but appear well diversified as well： Kerberosaurus manakini at Blagoveschensk, Wulagasaurus dongi at Wulaga, and a new genus at Kundur. Theropods are represented by shed teeth and isolated bones; isolated scutes and teeth discovered at Kundur are tentatively attributed to nodosaurids. Palynological studies suggest that these sites are probably synchronous with the Lancian＇ vertebrate localities of western North America, which represent the youngest dinosaur faunas in this area. However, the latest Cretaceous dinosaur assemblages are completely different in the Amur/Heilongjiang region （lambeosaurines abundant, ceratopsids absent） and in western North America （ceratopsids abundant, lainbeosaurines extremely rare or absent）. This probably reflects some kind of geographical barrier between both areas by Maastrichtian time rather than strong differences in palaeoecological conditions.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41672019 and 41688103)the project from the China Geological Survey (20160126).
文摘An alvarezsaurid dinosaur skeleton was discovered from the Late Cretaceous Qiupa Formation of Luanchuan,Henan Province of eenttral China.It represents a new alvarezsaurid dinosaur Qiupanykus zhangi gen.et sp.nov.A phylogenetic analysis recovers Qiupanykus nested within the unresolved clade,which includes Asian and north American taxa.The skeleton of the new specimen is preserved in association with eggshells.The eggshell morphologies show that these eggs belong to oviraptorid eggs,skeletal remains of which were discovered from the same area.The alvarezsaurid skeleton associated with eggshell fragments may indicate that these eggs were broken by the strong thumb-claws of the former and that alvarezsaurid dinosaurs may be egg-eaters.
