Tuchengzi Formation

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Tuchengzi Formation
Stratigraphic range: Tithonian-Berriasian, 154–139Ma
[1]
Type Geological formation
Underlies Zhangjiakou Formation
Overlies Tiaojishan Formation
Thickness 870-2900 meters[2]
Lithology
Primary Shale
Other Sandstone
Location
Region Asia
Country  China

The Tuchengzi Formation (simplified Chinese: 土城子组; traditional Chinese: 土城子組; pinyin: Tǔchéngzǐ Zǔ) is a geological formation in China whose strata spans the Tithonian (Late Jurassic) to Berriasian (Early Cretaceous) ages.[1] Dinosaur fossils, particularly footprints, have been found from the formation.[3]

Vertebrate paleofauna

The Tuchengzi Formation was deposited during a time of transition between the Daohugou Biota and the Jehol biota. The Tuchengzi represents a poorer, more arid climate that appears to have caused much of the Daohugou fauna to become extinct. They would later be replaced by the Jehol biota when conditions became more favorable to a diversity of terrestrial animal life.[1]

Indeterminate sauropod remains formerly attributed to the Mamenchisauridae and Brachiosauridae have been found in Liaoning, China.[3] Theropod tracks, including those made by avialans, have been found in Liaoning, China.[3]

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
 Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.
Genus Species County Member Abundance Notes Images

Chaoyangsaurus

C. youngi

Liaoning

"Partial skull with mandible, cervicals, humerus, and scapula."[4]

A primitive ceratopsian[3]

Grallator

Grallator isp.

Hebei

Footprints belonging to the Grallator form taxon, made by an unknown small theropod.[5]

Menglongipus

M. sinensis

Hebei

Footprints belonging to the Menglongipus sinensis form taxon, made by an unknown small (~65 cm long) deinonychosaur[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Liu Y.-Q. Kuang H.-W., Jiang X.-J., Peng N., Xu H. & Sun H.-Y. (2012). "Timing of the earliest known feathered dinosaurs and transitional pterosaurs older than the Jehol Biota." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology (advance online publication).
  2. ↑ Wang, Y.; Ken, S.; Zhang, W.; Zheng, S. (2006). "Biodiversity and palaeoclimate of the Middle Jurassic floras from the Tiaojishan Formation in western Liaoning, China". Progress in Natural Science 16 (1): 222–230. doi:10.1080/10020070612330087. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Weishampel, David B; et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution (Late Jurassic, Asia)." In: Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press. Pp. 550–552. ISBN 0-520-24209-2.
  4. ↑ "Table 22.1," in Weishampel, et al. (2004). Page 480.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Xing, L.; Harris, J.D.; Sun, D.; Zhao, H. (2010). "The earliest known deinonychosaur tracks from the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary in Hebei Province, China". Acta Palaeontologica Sinica 48 (4): 662–671. 


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