Siamogale melilutra is an extinct species of giant otter from the late Miocene from Yunnan province, China. The skull reveals a combination of otter-like and badger-like cranial and dental characteristics. The new species belongs to the Lutrinae because of its possession of a large infraorbital canal and ventral expansion of the mastoid process, among other traits.^[1]Siamogale melilutra was about 1.9 m (6.25 ft) in overall length and weighed at least 40 kg (88 pounds).^[2] The remains of the skull were found in China and were re-created with a special program called the CT scan which is able to reconstruct the skeleton without being damaged.

Discovery and Naming

• Discovery: Fossils of Siamogale melilutra were discovered in the Shuitangba lignite mine in the Yunnan Province of China.
• Naming: The genus name “Siamogale” references its otter lineage, and the species name “melilutra” combines the Latin words for badger (“meles”) and otter (“lutra”), highlighting its blend of characteristics.

Physical Characteristics

• Size: Siamogale melilutra was significantly larger than modern otters, estimated to have weighed around 50 kg (110 lbs), making it one of the largest otters known.
• Skull and Teeth: The species had a robust skull and powerful jaws with enlarged teeth adapted for crushing hard objects, such as shellfish.

Significance

• Evolutionary Insight: The discovery of Siamogale melilutra provides important insights into the evolutionary history of otters, showing a diverse range of adaptations and ecological niches.
• Adaptation: Its physical characteristics suggest it was well-adapted to a diet that included hard-shelled prey, demonstrating the diverse feeding strategies among otters.

Fossil Sites in Yunnan

• The Shuitangba site in Yunnan, where Siamogale melilutra was found, is rich in fossilized remains of various prehistoric animals, offering a glimpse into the region’s ancient ecosystems.
• Yunnan’s fossil sites have contributed significantly to our understanding of the diversity and evolution of mammals during the late Miocene and early Pliocene epochs.

Paleoecology

• Habitat: Siamogale melilutra likely lived in a freshwater environment, such as rivers or lakes, which were abundant in the Yunnan region during its time.
• Ecological Role: As a large predator, it would have played a crucial role in its ecosystem, impacting the populations of prey species and interacting with other contemporary animals.

Importance of Yunnan in Paleontology

• Yunnan Province is a critical area for paleontological research, providing a wealth of fossils that help scientists reconstruct the ancient environments and understand the evolutionary history of various species.

Siamogale melilutra is a remarkable example of the diversity and adaptability of otters, shedding light on the complex ecosystems of the past and the evolutionary pathways that have shaped modern species.

Shuangbaisaurus (meaning “Shuangbai reptile”安龙堡双柏龙 in Chinese) is an extinct genus of theropod dinosaur, possibly a dilophosaurid, that lived in the Early Jurassic of Yunnan Province, China. It contains a single species, S. anlongbaoensis, represented by a partial skull. Like the theropods Dilophosaurus and Sinosaurus, the latter of which was its contemporary, Shuangbaisaurus bore a pair of thin, midline crests on its skull. Unusually, these crests extended backwards over the level of the eyes, which, along with the unusual orientation of the jugal bone, led the describers to name it as a new genus. However, Shuangbaisaurus also possesses a groove between its premaxilla and maxilla, a characteristic which has been used to characterize Sinosaurus as a genus. Among the two morphotypespresent within the genus Sinosaurus, Shuangbaisaurus more closely resembles the morphotype that is variably treated as a distinct species, S. sinensis, in its relatively tall skull.

Discovery and Location:
Shuangbaisaurus is known from Yunnan Province, China, specifically from the Early Jurassic Fengjiahe Formation, dating approximately to the Hettangian stage, about 190-180 million years ago.

Description:

• Shuangbaisaurus had a robust skull measuring about 54 cm in length, with a distinctive length-to-height ratio and thin, elongated crests extending backwards over its eye sockets. These crests were primarily formed by the frontal bone and possibly the postorbital and prefrontal bones.
• Similar to Dilophosaurus and some morphotypes of Sinosaurus, Shuangbaisaurus had a groove between its premaxilla and maxilla, distinguishing it from other theropods.
• The antorbital fenestra was large, occupying a significant portion of the skull length, and the orbit was keyhole-shaped, distinguishing it from related species like Sinosaurus.

Naming and Classification:

• The genus name Shuangbaisaurus refers to Shuangbai County, where it was discovered, and the species name anlongbaoensis refers to Anlongbao Town, the locality of the fossil find.
• It is classified as a basal tetanuran theropod, possibly related to dilophosaurids like Dilophosaurus and certain morphs of Sinosaurus.

Paleoecology:

• Shuangbaisaurus coexisted with a diverse fauna in the Fengjiahe Formation, including sauropodomorphs like Yunnanosaurus and Lufengosaurus, along with diverse ichnofauna and other vertebrates and invertebrates typical of Early Jurassic ecosystems.

Significance:

• Shuangbaisaurus contributes to our understanding of early theropod evolution in Asia and adds to the diversity of dinosaurs known from Yunnan Province.

Shidaisaurus is a genus of metriacanthosaurid dinosaur. Its fossil was found in early Middle Jurassic-age rocks of the Upper Lufeng Formation in Yunnan, China. It is known from a partial skeleton, holotype DML-LCA 9701-IV, found at the bottom of an assemblage of nine dinosaur individuals, lacking most of the tail vertebrae, ribs, pectoral girdle, and limb bones. Shidaisaurus was described in 2009 by Wu and colleagues. The type species is S. jinae. Generic name and specific name in combination refer to the Jin-Shidai (“Golden Age”) Company that exploits the Jurassic World Park near the site. This theropod was about 6 metres (20 ft) long and it weighed around 700 kilograms (1,500 lb).

Discovery and Location:
Shidaisaurus is a genus of early sauropodomorph dinosaur discovered in Yunnan Province, southwestern China. It was found in the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation, which dates back approximately 200-190 million years ago.

Taxonomy:
Shidaisaurus belongs to the group of basal sauropodomorphs, which are early members of the sauropodomorph lineage that includes giant sauropods like Diplodocus and Brachiosaurus.

Description:
The exact size and appearance of Shidaisaurus are inferred based on related dinosaurs. As a basal sauropodomorph, it likely had a small body compared to later sauropods, bipedal stance, and herbivorous diet. Its skeletal structure would have featured adaptations for terrestrial locomotion, typical of early dinosaurs.

Paleoenvironment:
During the Early Jurassic, Yunnan Province was characterized by a warm and humid climate with diverse flora and fauna. Shidaisaurus inhabited this region alongside other dinosaurs and early mammals, contributing to the ecosystem dynamics of the time.

Significance:
Shidaisaurus is significant in understanding the early evolution of sauropodomorph dinosaurs, shedding light on their distribution and diversity during the Jurassic period in Asia. Its discovery in Yunnan adds to the growing knowledge of dinosaurian fauna in southern China.

Qilinyu rostrata is a “maxillate” placoderm from the late Ludlow epoch of Qujing, Yunnan, 419 million years ago. Qilinyu is a genus of early placoderm from the late Silurian (late Ludfordian stage, ~423 Ma) of China. It contains a single species, Qilinyu rostrata, from the Xiaoxiang fauna of the Kuanti Formation. Along with its contemporary Entelognathus, Qilinyu is an unusual placoderm showing some traits more similar to bony fish, such as dermal jaw bones and lobe-like fins. It can be characterized by adaptations for a benthic lifestyle, with the mouth and nostrils on the underside of the head, similar to the unrelated antiarch placoderms. The shape of the skull has been described as “dolphin-like”, with a domed cranium and a short projecting rostrum.

Specimen and taxonomy

The holotype and paratype of Q. rostrata are two exquisitely preserved specimens both featuring a domed cranium and a curved rostrum presenting a “dolphin-like profile.”

The researchers’ cladistic diagram show that Q. rostrata is the sister taxon of Entelognathus and all other crown gnathostomes (i.e., bony and cartilaginous fishes, and their descendants).

Evolutionary significance

Q. rostrata, together with Entelognathus, demonstrate additional irrefutable proof that modern gnathostomes evolved from arthrodire placoderms.

Discovery and Description:
Qilinyu is a genus of early placoderm discovered in the late Silurian (late Ludfordian stage, ~423 Ma) of China, specifically in the Xiaoxiang fauna of the Kuanti Formation. It is represented by a single species, Qilinyu rostrata. Alongside its contemporary, Entelognathus, Qilinyu exhibits unusual traits for a placoderm, resembling bony fish with dermal jaw bones and lobe-like fins. The skull shape is likened to a “dolphin-like” profile, featuring a domed cranium and a short, projecting rostrum. Adaptations for a benthic lifestyle include recessed mouth and nostrils on the underside of the head, reminiscent of unrelated antiarch placoderms.

Discovery Context:
Qilinyu rostrata fossils were unearthed in the Qilin district of Yunnan, China, part of the Xiaoxiang fauna deposited in the Kuanti Formation. Excavations spanning 1999 to 2016 yielded well-preserved specimens, now housed at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP).

Age and Naming:
Conodont biostratigraphy dates the Xiaoxiang fauna to the late Ludfordian stage of the Silurian, approximately 423 million years ago. The genus name Qilinyu derives from the Qilin district, named after the mythical Qilin creature, reflecting its hybrid traits. The species epithet “rostrata” refers to its distinctive rostrum.

Anatomy and Characteristics:
Qilinyu measures about 12.6 cm (5.0 inches) in length, with armor divided into head and trunk components adorned with oval-shaped tubercles. Its skull features a forward-projecting rostrum shielded above by a rostral plate and characterized by a set of dorsal plates. The jaws of Qilinyu, like Entelognathus, show external maxillate adaptations with three slender bones: premaxilla, maxilla, and dentary, lacking internal gnathal plates typical of other placoderms.

Head Armor and Skeletal Features:
The head armor includes paired central plates and two postorbital plates per side, distinguishing it from Entelognathus. Lacrimal, jugal, and opercular bones flank the upper jaw, hidden under the rostrum, with a distinct lateral line groove extending across the skull and trunk armor.

Trunk Armor and Appendages:
Trunk armor of Qilinyu, closely integrated with the skull, features three median dorsal plates and prominent dorsolateral and ventrolateral plates. Its unique interlocking neck joint resembles features found in antiarchs and certain arthrodires. Qilinyu is notable for preserving pectoral and pelvic fins, indicative of its evolutionary significance in early gnathostome development.

Classification and Phylogenetic Significance:
Phylogenetic analyses place Qilinyu rostrata as a key taxon linking placoderms to modern gnathostomes, sharing ancestry with Entelognathus, Janusiscus, and other crown-group gnathostomes. Its evolutionary context is further explored alongside related taxa like Silurolepis and Bianchengichthys, highlighting its pivotal role in vertebrate evolution.

Psilophyton is a genus of extinct vascular plants. Described in 1859, it was one of the first fossil plants to be found which was of Devonian age (about 420 to 360 million years ago). Specimens have been found in northern Maine, USA; Gaspé Bay, Quebec and New Brunswick, Canada; the Czech Republic; and Yunnan, China. Plants lacked leaves or true roots; spore-forming organs or sporangia were borne on the ends of branched clusters. It is significantly more complex than some other plants of comparable age (e.g. Rhynia) and is thought to be part of the group from within which the modern ferns and seed plants evolved.

Description

Almost all the species of Psilophyton have been found in rocks of Emsian age (around 408 to 393 million years ago). One exception is P. krauselii, from the Czech Republic, which is younger, being from the upper part of the Middle Devonian (around 390 to 380 million years ago).

Psilophyton dawsonii is the best-known species. Compressed and mineralized specimens have been found in several locations, particularly in calcareous pebbles on the Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec, Canada. Plants consisted of bare stems (axes) ending in blunt tips. Lower down they repeatedly branched dichotomously; higher up they bore sporangium-bearing ‘units’ in two rows on opposite sides of the stems. These units branched, also dichotomously, before terminating in sporangia, so that there were clusters of up to 128 paired, downward curved sporangia, oval in shape and about 5 mm long. Spores were released through a longitudinal slit. The first two branching points of the fertile units appear to have consisted of two closely spaced dichotomous branches in which the middle branch did not develop. The trilete spores were between 40 and 75 µm in diameter.

The internal structure of the stems of P. dawsonii was considerably more complex than that of other plants of a similar age, e.g. Rhynia. A central strand of xylem occupied up to a third of the diameter of the stem. In the lower parts of main stems it was circular, enlarging before it divided prior to dichotomous branching. Higher up it became elliptical in cross-section, corresponding to the two rows of fertile branching units. Within the branches of these units, the strand was more-or-less rectangular. The conducting elements of the xylem, the tracheids, were of the so-called ‘P-type’ in which the walls were strengthened by ladder-like (scalariform) bars with circular openings between them.^[15] The tissue around the central strand was multi-layered with open spaces below the stomata.^[16]

P. princeps, the first-discovered species, differed from P. dawsonii in having spines on the stems and larger sporangia. P. forbesiiis the largest known species of Psilophyton. Reconstructions suggest a height of around 60 cm. Its stems were bare of spines but marked by longitudinal striations. Compared to P. dawsonii, both P. princeps and P. forbesii had a greater distinction between main stems and side branches, which may be considered an ‘advanced’ feature.

P. crenulatum was found in New Brunswick, Canada, also in rocks of Emsian age. Its branches bore spines up to 6 mm long which divided into two or three projections at their tips. It has resemblances to specimens of Aarabia, found in Morocco.

P. dapsile was found in Maine, USA. It appears to have been considerably smaller than the previous species, perhaps 30 cm tall, with smooth dichotomously branching stems, and sporangia only 2 mm long.^[16] Kasper et al. suggested that the smaller species P. dapsile and P. krauselii, which had mainly dichotomous branches, were the more ‘primitive’ members of the genus.

P. primitivum was found in Yunnan, China, in the Posongchong Formation, which is of Pragian (Siegenian) age (around 410 million years ago). All other species have been found in North America and Europe, which formed part of the continent of Laurussia in the Devonian. The name reflects a belief that the species is ‘primitive’, with considerable dichotomous branching and a loose, less tightly branched habit. As with all species of Psilophyton, pairs of sporangia were created by dichotomously branching fertile units, although in P. primitivum there were relatively few per unit (4–8) and they were somewhat loosely clustered. Similarities with P. microspinum and P. parvulum were suggested.

Taxonomy

Leafless, dichotomously branching fossils bearing spines and possessing vascular tissue from the Devonian of Gaspé Peninsula, Canada, were thought by Dawson in 1859 to resemble the modern whiskfern, Psilotum. Accordingly, he named his new genus Psilophyton, the type species being P. princeps. Unfortunately, it later turned out that his description and subsequent reconstruction was based on fragments of three different unrelated plants, which caused confusion for many years.^[7] The sporangia were from Psilophyton, but some aerial stems were from what is now Sawdonia, and the rhizomes were from Taeniocrada.

In 1871, Dawson described specimens which had strong spines as P. princeps var. ornatum. He considered that groups of paired terminal sporangia found with these were part of the same plant, although no actual connection was found. Much later, in 1967, it was shown that fossils called “Psilophyton princeps” had two very different patterns of xylem development: from the centre outwards (centrarch) in P. princeps and from the outside inwards (exarch) in P. princeps var. ornatum. Hueber and Banks selected new specimens as the type for the species P. princeps,^[2] and Hueber later transferred P. princeps var. ornatum to a new genus as Sawdonia ornata. Only P. princeps had paired terminal sporangia; those of S. ornata were borne on the sides of the stems.Later additions of species to the genus have been based on the description by Hueber and Banks.

Dawson named another specimen Psilophyton robustius. On the grounds that this had side branches which divided into three as well as dividing into two, in 1956 Hopping moved it to a new genus Trimerophyton.

Phylogeny

At first most of the early polysporangiophytes (land plants other than liverworts, mosses and hornworts) were placed in a single class, Psilophyta, established in 1917 by Kidston and Lang. As additional fossils were discovered and described, it became apparent that the Psilophyta were not a homogeneous group of plants. In 1968, Banks proposed splitting it into three groups, one of which was the subdivision Trimerophytina, informally called the trimerophytes. Psilophyton was a prominent member of this group. The distinction between main stems and strongly branched lateral stems evident in species such as P. forbesii has been considered to be one of the key steps towards the evolution of the leaves of euphyllophytes (modern members of which are the ferns and seed plants), based on the theory that such leaves evolved through ‘webbing’ of flattened lateral branching systems.

In 2004, Crane et al. published a simplified cladogram for the polysporangiophytes, based on a number of figures in Kenrick and Crane (1997). Part of their cladogram is reproduced below (with some branches collapsed into ‘basal groups’ to reduce the size of the diagram). It shows two of the better-known species of Psilophyton as early-diverging members of the euphyllophytes.

Panguraptor (“Pangu [a Chinese god] plunderer”) is a genus of coelophysid theropod dinosaur known from fossils discovered in Lower Jurassic rocks of southern China. The type and only known species is Panguraptor lufengensis. The generic name refers to the deity Pangu but also to the supercontinent Pangaea for which in a geological context the same characters are used: 盘古. Raptor means “seizer”, “robber” in Latin. The specific name is a reference to the Lufeng Formation.The holotype specimen was recovered on 12 October 2007 from the Lufeng Formation of Yunnan, which is noted for sauropodomorph fossils. It was described in 2014 by You Hai-Lu and colleagues.

Description

The holotype of Panguraptor, LFGT-0103, is the partial articulated skeleton of a subadult individual, including the skull, lower jaws, presacral vertebrae, first sacral vertebra, parts of the pectoral girdle and pelvic girdle, a left femur and most of the right limb. This specimen is likely a sub-adult due to its small size (approximately 2 meters long in life), large orbit, and unfused scapulocoracoids and astragalocalcaneum. However, it may have been close to adulthood due to having other bones which have fused.

The rather short skull is almost complete, although the premaxilla and rostral edge of the maxilla are missing and the nasals are partially obscured. The orbit is quite large but the antorbital fenestra is quite small. The exposed portions of the nasal are wide and smooth and do not show any sign of a sagittal crest present in some other basal theropods. The jugal is positioned similarly to that of C. rhodesiensis, although the quadratojugal is positioned more akin to that of Coelophysis (“Megapnosaurus”) kayentakatae. The rostral end of the lower jaw is missing. Teeth are preserved in the dentary and maxilla, and are slightly recurved yet unserrated.

The centra of the cervical vertebrae gradually increase in length from the third to seventh cervical, then decrease once more to the tenth (last) cervical. The dorsal vertebrae are more compressed than those of Coelophysis bauri and C. rhodesiensis, and their neural spines are longer than they are high and so close to each other that they form a continuous wall along the dorsal vertebral column.

The scapula is long, with a scapular blade with a straight caudal edge and concave cranial edge. The hand has four digits, with metacarpals I and II being the widest and metatarsals II and III being the longest. The first digit also has a flattened and recurved claw, the largest found in the holotype.

The right illium, though incomplete, has a stout pubic peduncle a prominent supracetabular crest. Distal portions of both ischia are preserved, and are straight with broad ends.

The femur has a large and offset head and a longitudinal bulge on the caudolateral surface of the shaft. The tibia and fibula are straight while the astragalus and calcaneum are unfused. Only one tarsal is exposed (likely tarsal IV) along with right metatarsals III, IV, and V and a few pedal digits. Metatarsal III is very long while IV and V taper distally.

Panguraptor can be distinguished from other coelophysids by the following traits:

• A diagonal ridge on the lateral surface of the maxilla, within the antorbital fossa.
• An elliptical fenestra (also known in Zupaysaurus) caudodorsal to the above-mentioned ridge.
• a distal tarsal IV with a hooked craniomedial corner.

Classification

You et. al. performed a phylogenetic analysis and found Panguraptor to be a coelophysid coelophysoid, in a clade with Coelophysis bauri, Coelophysis rhodesiensis,and Camposaurus but not “Megapnosaurus” kayentakatae. Panguraptor was placed in this clade due to having a very acute angle between the horizontal and ascending processes of the maxilla, a blind pocket within the antorbital fossa, a short lateral lamina of the lacrimal, and the ascending process of the jugal making an angle less than 75 degrees with its longitudinal axis. Per this analysis, Panguraptor would be the first coelophysoid known from Asia. It is also the second definite theropod genus known from the Lufeng Formation, after Sinosaurus. Other small coelophysoid specimens such as FMNH CUP 2089 (some forelimb bones) and FMNH CUP 2090 (some hindlimb bones) recovered from the Lufeng formation may belong to this species, although they have been provisionally referred to “Megapnosaurus” kayetakatae until further analysis.

Discovery and Species

Discovery

• The holotype specimen was recovered on October 12, 2007, from the Lufeng Formation of Yunnan, noted for its sauropodomorph fossils.
• It was described in 2014 by You Hai-Lu and colleagues.

Holotype

• The holotype, LFGT-0103, is the partial articulated skeleton of a subadult individual, including the skull, lower jaws, presacral vertebrae, first sacral vertebra, parts of the pectoral girdle and pelvic girdle, a left femur, and most of the right limb.
• The specimen is likely a sub-adult due to its small size (approximately 2 meters long in life), large orbit, and unfused scapulocoracoids and astragalocalcaneum. However, it may have been close to adulthood due to other bones being fused.

Description

Skull

• The skull is almost complete but missing the premaxilla and rostral edge of the maxilla, and the nasals are partially obscured.
• The orbit is large, and the antorbital fenestra is small. The exposed portions of the nasal are wide and smooth without a sagittal crest.
• The jugal is positioned similarly to that of Coelophysis rhodesiensis, though the quadratojugal is positioned more like that of Coelophysis (“Megapnosaurus”) kayentakatae.
• Teeth are preserved in the dentary and maxilla, and are slightly recurved and unserrated.

Vertebrae

• The cervical vertebrae gradually increase in length from the third to the seventh cervical, then decrease to the tenth (last) cervical.
• The dorsal vertebrae are compressed compared to Coelophysis bauri and C. rhodesiensis, with neural spines longer than they are high and forming a continuous wall along the dorsal vertebral column.

Limbs and Girdles

• The scapula is long, with a straight caudal edge and concave cranial edge.
• The hand has four digits, with metacarpals I and II being the widest and metatarsals II and III the longest. The first digit has a flattened and recurved claw, the largest in the holotype.
• The right ilium, though incomplete, has a stout pubic peduncle and a prominent supracetabular crest. Distal portions of both ischia are straight with broad ends.
• The femur has a large, offset head and a longitudinal bulge on the caudolateral surface of the shaft. The tibia and fibula are straight, while the astragalus and calcaneum are unfused. Only one tarsal is exposed, likely tarsal IV, along with right metatarsals III, IV, and V, and a few pedal digits. Metatarsal III is very long, while IV and V taper distally.

Distinguishing Traits

• A diagonal ridge on the lateral surface of the maxilla within the antorbital fossa.
• An elliptical fenestra caudodorsal to the ridge.
• A distal tarsal IV with a hooked craniomedial corner.

Classification

• You et al. performed a phylogenetic analysis and found Panguraptor to be a coelophysid coelophysoid, in a clade with Coelophysis bauri, Coelophysis rhodesiensis, and Camposaurus but not “Megapnosaurus” kayentakatae.
• Panguraptor was placed in this clade due to having a very acute angle between the horizontal and ascending processes of the maxilla, a blind pocket within the antorbital fossa, a short lateral lamina of the lacrimal, and the ascending process of the jugal making an angle less than 75 degrees with its longitudinal axis.
• This makes Panguraptor the first coelophysoid known from Asia and the second definite theropod genus known from the Lufeng Formation, after Sinosaurus.
• Other small coelophysoid specimens from the Lufeng Formation may belong to this species, although they have been provisionally referred to “Megapnosaurus” kayentakatae until further analysis.

Nebulasaurus is an extinct genus of basal eusauropod dinosaur known from the early Middle Jurassic Zhanghe Formation(Aalenian or Bajocian stage) of Yunnan Province, China. It is known only from the holotype braincase LDRC-v.d.1. A phylogenetic analysis found Nebulasaurus to be a sister taxon to Spinophorosaurus from the Middle Jurassic of Africa. This discovery is significant paleontologically because it represents a clade of basal eusauropods previously unknown from Asia.

Etymology

The genus name Nebulasaurus, means “misty cloud lizard”, and is derived from the Latin word nebulae meaning “misty cloud”, a reference to “Yunnan” which means “southern misty cloudy province” and the Greek word “sauros” (σαυρος) meaning “lizard”^[2] The specific name ‘’taito’’, was given in honor of the Taito Corporation of Japan, which funded the field project and is geographically near the discovery site. Nebulasaurus was described and named by Lida Xing, Tetsuto Miyashita, Philip J. Currie, Hailu You, and Zhiming Dong in 2015 and the type species is Nebulasaurus taito. Nebulasaurus was one of eighteen dinosaur taxa from 2015 to be described in open access or free-to-read journals.

Description

The only fossil material recovered was a braincase, which was in a good state of preservation.

Classification

Nebulasaurus was classified as a basal eusauropod, however its braincase bears resemblance to those of more derived neosauropods. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Nebulasaurus was most closely related to Spinophorosaurus. When compared to coeval sauropods, the discovery of Nebulasaurus demonstrates the diversity of sauropodomorph fauna in China during the Jurassic period.

Distinguishing anatomical features

A diagnosis is a statement of the anatomical features of an organism (or group) that collectively distinguish it from all other organisms. Some, but not all, of the features in a diagnosis are also autapomorphies. An autapomorphy is a distinctive anatomical feature that is unique to a given organism or group.

According to Xing et al. (2015), Nebulasaurus can be distinguished based on the following characteristics:

• the exoccipitals are nearly excluding the supraoccipital from the foramen magnum (supraoccipital forms less than a tenth of the margin of the foramen magnum)
• the supraoccipital is not expanded laterally between the parietal bone and the exoccipital.
• the crista interfenestralis is incompletely partitioning the fenestra ovalis and the jugular foramen
• the frontoparietal fenestra is located at the frontal-parietal suture and is larger than postparietal foramen^{[Note 2]}
• the craniopharyngeal foramen is posterior to the basal tubera

Paleoecology

Provenance and occurrence

The holotype specimen of Nebulasaurus taito LDRC-v.d.1 was recovered from the Zhanghe Formation, near Xiabanjing, in Yuanmou County of Yunnan Province, China. The specimen was collected in terrestrial sediments deposited during the Aalenian and Bajocian stagesof the Jurassic period, approximately 174 to 168 million years ago. This specimen is housed in the Lufeng Dinosaur Research Center in Yunnan Province.

Fauna and habitat

The Zhanghe Formation has produced the remains yielded one basal sauropodomorph Yunnanosaurus youngi, and two basal eusauropods Eomamenchisaurus yuanmouensis and Yuanmousaurus jiangyiensis. This diverse sauropodomorph faunal collection from the Middle Jurassic of Asia preceded the mamenchisaurid dominance that is observed in East Asia during the Late Jurassic.

Notes

Lufengosaurus (Chinese: 祿豐龍 or 禄丰龙, meaning “Lufeng Lizard”) was a prosauropod dinosaur that lived during the Early and Middle Jurassic period in what is now southwestern China. Known for being the first complete dinosaur skeleton mounted in China, Lufengosaurus was also commemorated on a postage stamp in 1958.

1. Discovery and Species

Discovery

• In the late 1930s, geologist Bien Meinian began uncovering fossils at Shawan near Lufeng in Yunnan province.
• In 1938, paleontologist Yang Zhongjian (C.C. Young in the West) joined the excavation.
• In 1941, Yang named the remains of a prosauropod Lufengosaurus huenei, with the generic name referring to Lufeng and the specific name honoring his tutor, Friedrich von Huene.

Holotype

• The holotype, IVPP V15, is a partial skeleton found in the Lower Lufeng Formation, which dates to the Lower Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian).

Second Species

• Yang named a second species, Lufengosaurus magnus, in 1940/1941 and fully described it in 1947. This species was significantly larger than L. huenei but is often considered a junior synonym of L. huenei.

Significance

• An exemplar of Lufengosaurus was the first complete dinosaur skeleton mounted in China in 1958, celebrated with an 8-yuan postage stamp.

Other Prosauropods

• Yang named another prosauropod, Gyposaurus sinensis, in 1940. This species was considered identical to Lufengosaurus by Peter Galton in 1976 but is generally doubted today.

Further Classification

• Michael Cooper suggested in 1981 that Lufengosaurus and Yunnanosaurus were species of the South African genus Massospondylus. However, a reanalysis in 2005 established Lufengosaurus as a distinct genus.

Undescribed Species

• In 1985, Zhao Xijin named another species, Lufengosaurus changduensis, based on a specimen found in Tibet, which remains an undescribed nomen nudum.

  

2. Description

Size

• Lufengosaurus is often described as a small prosauropod, about 6 meters (20 ft) long. Including “L. magnus” specimens, it could reach 9 meters (30 ft) in length and weigh 1.7 metric tons (1.9 short tons).

Physical Traits

• It had a long neck, short forelimbs, and was inferred to be bipedal. The full osteology was published by Yang in 1941.

  

Skull

Features

• The skull was deep and broad, with distinctive bony bumps behind its large nostrils and on its cheeks.
• A bony ridge on the side of the upper jaw might have anchored soft tissue, suggesting larger cheeks compared to other sauropodomorphs.
• It had closely spaced, serrated teeth suited for a diet of leaves.

Key Points about Lufengosaurus

Discovery:

• Lufengosaurus was discovered in the Lufeng Basin, a renowned fossil site in Yunnan Province.
• The genus was first described in 1941 by Chinese paleontologist Yang Zhongjian (also known as C.C. Young).

Classification:

• Lufengosaurus belongs to the order Saurischia, suborder Sauropodomorpha.
• It is classified within the family Massospondylidae, a group of early sauropodomorph dinosaurs.

Physical Characteristics:

• Lufengosaurus was a relatively small to medium-sized dinosaur, measuring about 6 to 9 meters (20 to 30 feet) in length.
• It had a long neck and tail, a small head, and a bipedal stance, though it could likely walk on all fours as well.
• The dinosaur had strong hind limbs and shorter forelimbs with grasping hands, suggesting it may have been able to manipulate objects or food.

Diet and Behavior:

• Lufengosaurus was primarily herbivorous, feeding on plants.
• Its teeth were adapted for a plant-based diet, and its long neck allowed it to reach vegetation at various heights.

Significance:

• The discovery of Lufengosaurus has provided significant insights into the early evolution of sauropodomorph dinosaurs.
• It is one of the best-preserved early sauropodomorphs and has contributed to our understanding of the transition from small, bipedal ancestors to the giant, quadrupedal sauropods of later periods.

Lufeng Basin Fossil Site

The Lufeng Basin in Yunnan Province is one of the most important fossil sites in China, known for its rich deposits of early Jurassic dinosaur fossils.

Geological Formation:

• The Lufeng Formation, where Lufengosaurus was discovered, dates to the Early Jurassic period, approximately 190 to 200 million years ago.
• The sedimentary rocks in this formation have preserved a wide variety of fossils, including those of dinosaurs, amphibians, reptiles, and early mammals.

Other Significant Finds:

• In addition to Lufengosaurus, the Lufeng Basin has yielded fossils of other dinosaur genera, such as Yunnanosaurus and Sinosaurus.
• The basin has also provided important fossils of early mammals, offering insights into the evolution of mammals during the Mesozoic era.

Paleontological Research:

• The Lufeng Basin has been the focus of extensive paleontological research, with numerous expeditions and studies conducted by Chinese and international scientists.
• Fossils from this region have contributed to a better understanding of early dinosaur evolution and the biodiversity of the Jurassic period.

Visiting the Lufeng Basin

For those interested in paleontology and natural history, the Lufeng Basin and its associated museums offer a fascinating glimpse into the ancient past. The Yunnan Provincial Museum in Kunming, for example, displays many fossils from the Lufeng Basin, including specimens of Lufengosaurus, providing an educational experience about the region’s rich paleontological heritage.

Litorosuchus is a genus of armored, semiaquatic archosauriform reptile from the Middle Triassic of China, closely related to the morphologically similar Vancleavea. It contains one species, L. somnii.

Description

For an archosauriform, Litorosuchus was medium-sized at some 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) in length. It shows clear adaptations to a semiaquatic lifestyle: the nasal opening is retracted and angled upwards, the tail is tall and long (about 60% of the animal’s entire length), the scapula is short and broad, the feet are webbed (as shown by fossilized skin impressions), the neck is long and slender, and the snout is long, with many of the teeth being conical. In many of these ways, Litorosuchus resembles the similarly semiaquatic Vancleavea from North America.

Like Vancleavea, the body of Litorosuchus was covered in bony plates known as osteoderms, of which eight distinct types can be observed: two rows of rectangular-to-roundish semi-concave osteoderms with central ridges covered the neck and back; more oval-shaped osteoderms, also with ridges, covered the sides of the trunk and the rest of the neck; a row of tall, spike-like osteoderms lined the top of the tail (similar to Vancleavea); small, thin, and variably-shaped osteoderms covered the arm above the hand and the foot above the ankle; sheets of tiny osteoderms covered the hands and feet; rows of broad, oval-shaped osteoderms covered the bottom of the trunk; similarly broad but semi-concave osteoderms covered the bottom portion of the tail; and oval, keeled osteoderms with a notch on the back edge covered the remainder of the tail. Out of these eight types, the former four are found in other archosauriforms, but the latter four are entirely unique to Litorosuchus.

Asides from the aforementioned characteristics, Litorosuchus can also be differentiated from other archosauriforms by a unique combination of other characters: only two teeth are present on the premaxilla, and are situated close to the front of the bone; the maxillary process, on the back edge of the premaxilla, is relatively long; the nasal process of the maxilla extends behind the back edge of the nostril; there is a large, canine-like (caniniform) tooth on each maxilla (also seen in Vancleavea);^[2] the prefrontal bone is T-shaped and extends down to the lacrimal bone, separating the latter from the eye socket; the width of the skull roof between the antorbital fenestrae is very thin, being only one-fifth the width of the skull roof between the eye sockets; a vertical ridge is present on the sides of most of the caudal vertebrae; and the joint between the astragalus and the calcaneum is a simple butt joint (the bones meet in flat surfaces, not ball-and-socket joints).

Discovery and naming

Litorosuchus is known from one nearly-complete skeleton embedded in a slab of limestone and lying on its left side. The rocks in which the specimen was found are located in Fuyuan County, Yunnan, and belong to the Zhuganpo Member of the Ladinian-age Falang Formation. The specimen is stored in the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology under the number IVPP V 16978.

The genus name is derived from Latin litoralis (“littoral”), in reference to the habitat of this animal, and Greek soukhos (“crocodile”). The species name, somnii, comes from the Latin somnium (“dream”); this is because the lead author dreamt of the animal while trying to come up with a name for it.

Classification

In 2016, Litorosuchus was found to be closely related to Vancleavea in a phylogenetic analysis, with both being non-archosaur archosauriforms. The results of said analysis are reproduced partially below.^[1]

Paleoecology

The Zhuganpo Member of the Falang Formation, from which Litorosuchus is known, would have been a coastal, shallow-water environment.^[4] In addition to various actinopterygian fish, various reptiles are known from this location; they include the terrestrial Macrocnemus as well as the aquatic Lariosaurus, Keichousaurus, Yunguisaurus, Qianxisaurus, Tanystropheus, Anshunsaurus, and Glyphoderma.

Besides Litorosuchus and Vancleavea, other possibly semiaquatic archosauriforms include Qianosuchus and Diandongosuchus; both show some of the morphological specializations associated with semiaquatic lifestyles, and the latter was found with fish bones in its stomach. In addition, phytosaurs and proterochampsids also have retracted nostrils. The large number of independent acquisitions of semiaquatic lifestyles among archosauriforms may be indicative of plasticity in the lifestyles of these animals, which could also explain the prevalence of semiaquatic crocodiles and birds in the modern world.

Jingshanosaurus (meaning “Jingshan lizard”) is a genus of sauropodomorph dinosaurs from the early Jurassic period. Jingshanosaurus is a genus of prosauropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic period. It is named after the Jingshan locality in Yunnan Province, China, where its fossils were discovered.

History of discovery

Its fossils, a nearly complete skeleton including the skull, were found near the town of Jingshan (“Golden Hill”), Lufeng County, Yunnan Province, China, from which the name derives. First described in 1995, the type species is J. xinwaensis, formalized by Zhang and Yang. Fossil remains of Jingshanosaurus had been exhibited in museums several years prior to the formal naming.

Classification

Jingshanosaurus may have been most closely related to Yunnanosaurus, and has, at times, been included in the Yunnanosauridae. In fact, Dong Zhiming considered Jingshanosaurus possibly a large specimen of Yunnanosaurus. If true, this would make Jingshanosaurus a junior synonym of Yunnanosaurus.

Here are some key points about Jingshanosaurus and its significance:

Key Points about Jingshanosaurus

1. Discovery:
   • Jingshanosaurus fossils were first discovered in the Lower Jurassic rock formations of Yunnan Province.
   • The genus was named and described by Chinese paleontologist Zhang Yihong in 1992.
2. Physical Characteristics:
   • Jingshanosaurus is a prosauropod, a type of early herbivorous dinosaur that is considered to be a precursor to the larger sauropods.
   • It had a long neck and tail, with a relatively small head, and walked on both two and four legs.
   • It is estimated to have been around 5 meters (16 feet) in length.
3. Significance:
   • The discovery of Jingshanosaurus provided valuable insights into the evolution of sauropod dinosaurs.
   • Its well-preserved fossils have contributed to the understanding of dinosaur fauna in the Early Jurassic period in Asia.
   • 
4. Habitat:
   • During the Early Jurassic, Yunnan was part of a lush, forested environment with a warm climate, providing an ideal habitat for herbivorous dinosaurs like Jingshanosaurus.

Fossil Sites in Yunnan

Yunnan is known for its rich fossil sites, particularly in the Lufeng Basin, which has yielded numerous important dinosaur fossils, including those of Jingshanosaurus. These sites have helped paleontologists piece together the history of early dinosaurs in Asia.

Visiting Fossil Sites in Yunnan

If you’re interested in paleontology and want to see where Jingshanosaurus and other dinosaurs were discovered, consider visiting the following:

1. Lufeng Dinosaur Fossil Site:
   • Located in Lufeng County, this site has a museum that displays many dinosaur fossils, including those from the Early Jurassic period.
2. Chuxiong Dinosaur Museum:
   • This museum, located in Chuxiong City, showcases a variety of dinosaur fossils found in Yunnan, providing educational exhibits on the region’s prehistoric life.
3. Yunnan Provincial Museum:
   • Located in Kunming, the provincial capital, this museum also features exhibits on Yunnan’s paleontological discoveries.

Yunnan Province’s contribution to paleontology, particularly with discoveries like Jingshanosaurus, highlights its importance in the study of dinosaur evolution and prehistoric life.

Jiuchengia longoccipita is a coccosteid arthrodire placoderm from the Late Emsian epoch of Wuding, Yunnan. Its skull is similar in form to those of Watsonosteus and Dickosteus, though J. longoccipita can be easily distinguished from them in that its skull is longer, and has anatomical features in common with homostiids. Jiuchengia is a genus of extinct amphibians that were discovered in Yunnan Province, China.

Key Points about Jiuchengia

1. Discovery:
   • The fossils of Jiuchengia were discovered in the Middle Jurassic rock formations in Yunnan.
   • The genus was named and described based on these fossil finds.
2. Classification:
   • Jiuchengia is classified within the order Temnospondyli, a diverse group of early amphibians that lived from the Carboniferous to the Cretaceous periods.
   • Temnospondyls are considered to be among the ancestors of modern amphibians.
3. Physical Characteristics:
   • Like other temnospondyls, Jiuchengia likely had a robust body, with a broad, flat head and sturdy limbs.
   • The specifics of its anatomy can provide insights into the diversity and adaptability of temnospondyl amphibians during the Jurassic period.
4. Significance:
   • The discovery of Jiuchengia adds to the diversity of known temnospondyl amphibians from the Jurassic period.
   • It provides valuable information on the evolutionary history of amphibians and their ecological roles during the Mesozoic era.
5. Habitat:
   • During the Middle Jurassic, Yunnan was part of a warm, humid environment with abundant water bodies, making it an ideal habitat for amphibians like Jiuchengia.
   • The region’s rich biodiversity would have included various other vertebrates, both aquatic and terrestrial.

Fossil Sites in Yunnan

Yunnan is known for its significant fossil sites that have contributed greatly to our understanding of prehistoric life. Some notable sites include:

1. Lufeng Basin:
   • Known for its dinosaur fossils, the Lufeng Basin has also yielded important amphibian and other vertebrate fossils from the Jurassic period.
2. Tuojiang Dinosaur Fossil Site:
   • Located near Zigong in Sichuan Province but close to Yunnan, this site has a wealth of Jurassic fossils, including those of temnospondyl amphibians.
3. Yunnan Provincial Museum:
   • Located in Kunming, this museum showcases a variety of fossils discovered in Yunnan, including amphibians, reptiles, and dinosaurs.

Visiting Fossil Sites and Museums

For those interested in paleontology, visiting these sites and museums can provide a fascinating glimpse into the ancient past and the diverse prehistoric life that once thrived in Yunnan. The fossils of Jiuchengia and other prehistoric creatures highlight the region’s importance as a rich source of paleontological discoveries.

Gyposaurus (meaning “vulture lizard”, referring to the outdated hypothesis that prosauropods were carnivores) is a genus of basal sauropodomorph dinosaur from the early Jurassic of South Africa. It is usually considered to represent juveniles of other prosauropods, but “G.” sinensis is regarded as a possibly valid species in recent reviews of the prosauropods (Galton and Upchurch, 2004).

Taxonomy

G. capensis was named in 1911 by Scottish physician and paleontologist Robert Broom from a partial skeleton consisting of eleven dorsal and six caudal vertebrae, ribs, gastralia, partial right scapula, right pelvic girdle, left ilium, and most of the right leg, discovered in the Upper Elliot Formation of Orange Free State, South Africa. Originally, he thought it pertained to the dubious genus Hortalotarsus. Galton and Cluver synonymized it with Anchisaurus in 1976, but Michael Cooper synonymized it with Massospondylus in 1981, which has been generally accepted.

G. sinensis was named by Yang Zhongjian (C.C. Young) in 1940 from most of a skeleton with a partial skull found in the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation, Yunnan Province, China, and referred over a dozen other specimens to it.Galton in 1976 referred it to Lufengosaurus as a juvenile version, but Dong Zhiming referred it to Anchisaurus in 1992. As mentioned, in the most recent review, Galton and Upchurch (2004) consider it as probably a valid, distinct taxon, in need of a new generic name. Unpublished results of a presentation by Wang and colleagues at the SVP 2017 conference indicate that G. sinensis is a junior synonym of Lufengosaurus huenei, however, while the referred specimens IVPP V43, V45, and V95 need further investigation.

Discovery and Naming

• Discovery: Fossils of Gyposaurus have been discovered in Yunnan Province, China.
• Name Origin: The genus name “Gyposaurus” means “vulture lizard,” derived from Greek (“gyps” for vulture) and Latin (“saurus” for lizard).

Physical Characteristics

• Anatomy: Gyposaurus is known from partial skeletal remains, including vertebrae, limb bones, and other skeletal elements.
• Size: It was a medium-sized herbivorous dinosaur, estimated to have been around 4-5 meters in length.

Classification

• Theropod Dinosaur: Gyposaurus belongs to the group of theropod dinosaurs, which are characterized by their bipedal stance and carnivorous diet.
• Early Jurassic: It lived during the Early Jurassic period, approximately 200-190 million years ago.

Paleoecology

• Habitat: Gyposaurus inhabited terrestrial environments in Yunnan during the Early Jurassic, which were likely warm and humid with diverse vegetation.
• Coexistence: It coexisted with other dinosaurs and early vertebrates of the time, contributing to the ecosystem’s biodiversity.

Significance

• Paleontological Importance: Fossils of Gyposaurus provide valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of early theropod dinosaurs in Yunnan and broader Early Jurassic ecosystems.
• Research: Study of Gyposaurus fossils helps paleontologists understand aspects of dinosaur anatomy, behavior, and paleobiology during the Early Jurassic.

Gyposaurus is an important genus for understanding the early evolution of theropod dinosaurs and the paleoecology of Early Jurassic Yunnan.

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