Earth:Shaximiao Formation

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Short description: Late Jurassic geological formation in China
Shaximiao Formation
Stratigraphic range: Middle Jurassic - Late Jurassic
Gisement-fossilifère- du musée de Zigong.jpg
Excavation floor at the Zigong Dinosaur Museum
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofChongqing Group
Sub-unitsLower, Upper Subunits
UnderliesSuining Formation
OverliesXintiangou Formation
ThicknessLower Subunit:
Up to 246.5 m (809 ft)
Upper Subunit:
450–1,200 m (1,480–3,940 ft)
Lithology
PrimarySandstone
OtherSiltstone, mudstone
Location
Coordinates [ ⚑ ] : 29°12′N 105°54′E / 29.2°N 105.9°E / 29.2; 105.9
Paleocoordinates [ ⚑ ] 28°12′N 110°00′E / 28.2°N 110.0°E / 28.2; 110.0
RegionSichuan
Country China
ExtentSichuan Basin
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The Shaximiao Formation (simplified Chinese: 沙溪庙组; traditional Chinese: 沙溪廟組 / 沙溪廟層; pinyin: Shāxīmiào zǔ) is a Middle to Late Jurassic aged geological formation in Sichuan, China , most notable for the wealth of dinosaurs fossils that have been excavated from its strata. The Shaximiao Formation is exposed in and around the small township of Dashanpu (simplified Chinese: 大山铺镇; traditional Chinese: 大山鋪鎮; pinyin: Dàshānpū zhèn), situated seven kilometres north-east from Sichuan's third largest city, Zigong, in the Da'an District.

Geology

The Shaximiao Formation includes two distinct subunits: The upper and lower Shaximiao Formations (simplified Chinese: 上·下沙溪庙地层; traditional Chinese: 上·下沙溪廟地層; pinyin: shàng / xià Shāxīmiào dìcéng), although they are commonly referred to as one, simply being called the "Shaximiao Formation". The upper Shaximiao Formation is also known as the Shangshaximiao Formation, and the lower Shaximiao Formation is also known as the Xiashaximiao Formation, which are direct transliterations of the Chinese names. Both subunits primarily consist of purple-red mudstones, with variable sand inclusion. and siltstones with interbedded sandstones.

Dinosaur finds

Dinosaurs of the Shaximiao Formation

The Shaximiao Formation has produced mainly sauropods, but has also held numerous other dinosaur types, such as theropods and stegosaurians amongst others. In total, over 8,000 pieces of bone have been unearthed from the area – amounting to nearly 40 tonnes. The site was unknown until the early 1970s, when a Chinese gas company unearthed Gasosaurus in 1972. It would be the first of the many dinosaurs to be uncovered from the area. Most specimens found are held at the Zigong Dinosaur Museum which has been placed on the area during the mid-1980s.

Despite being a frequented "dinosaur-quarry" at present, the Shaximiao Formation was once a lush forest, evidence of which has been found alongside dinosaur remains in the form of fossilised wood. Paleontologists speculate that the area also had a lake that was fed by a large river. Dinosaur remains would have been swept toward the lake over millions of years, thus accounting for the hundreds of specimens found. Based on biostratigraphy, the Lower Shaximiao Formation has been usually seen to date to 168 to 161 million years old, between the Bathonian to Callovian stages of the Mid Jurassic, while the Upper Shaximiao was thought to be Oxfordian in age. A paper by Wang et al. (2018), (recalibrated dates reported in Moore et al. (2020)), reported a zircon U-Pb age of 160.4 ± 0.4 mya for the lower part of the Shaximiao Formation, suggesting that the Shaximiao Formation is younger than previously thought.[1][2] Contradicting this, U-Pb dates from a tuff bed supports traditional Middle Jurassic age for the lower part of the formation, with an average age of around 166.0 ± 1.5 Ma.[3] The top of the Shaximiao Formation has been believed to be the end of the Tithonian age.[2]

Dong Zhiming's research

The paleontologist who has made the largest contribution to the formation and its excavation is Dong Zhiming. He first examined the formation in 1975, after bone fragments were found embedded in rock from the area. The site was being demolished to make way for both a natural gas field facility and a vehicle park when Dong first saw the area. Amongst the extensive clearings, Dong found numerous bone fragments which were exposed.

However, the specimens were being damaged due to bulldozers in the area and there would be little chance of closing the area as the state had invested millions of yuan in the site already. It was not until 1985 that the government finally agreed to close the construction on the site, and by then Dong and his team had already excavated over 100 dinosaurs from the area, including several rare sauropod skulls. A dinosaur found in the Shaximiao Formation, Dashanpusaurus dongi, was named in tribute of both Dashanpu and Dong Zhiming.

Paleobiota

In addition to dinosaur finds, many other prehistoric finds have been uncovered from the Shaximiao Formation. Amongst these finds are fishes, amphibians, turtles, marine reptiles such as crocodiles and also pterosaurs. Bienotheroides, a Tritylodont Synapsid has been found there, as well as Sinobrachyops, a Labyrinthodont.

Sauropterygians

Genus[4] Species[4] Stratigraphic position[4] Material Notes Images
Pliosauroidea indet. A pliosaurid from the Lower Shaximiao Formation A pliosaurid mentioned in a faunal list of this formation

Crocodyliformes

Genus[4] Species[4] Stratigraphic position[4] Material Notes Images
Sunosuchus S. shunanensis Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation A goniopholidid[4] Sunosuchus thailandicus.jpg
Hsisosuchus H. dashanpuensis Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation A goniopholid[4] Zigong reptile.jpg

Pterosaurs

Genus[4] Species[4] Stratigraphic position[4] Material Notes Images
Angustinaripterus A. longicephalus Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation A rhamphorhynchine rhamphorhynchid with a very elongated and flat snout and an estimated wingspan at 1.6 metres (5.2 ft)[4] Angustinaripterus NT.jpg

Dinosaurs

Ornithischians

Genus[4] Species[4] Stratigraphic position[4] Material Notes Images

Agilisaurus

A. louderbacki

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

Agilisaurus louderbacki.jpg

Hexinlusaurus

H. multidens

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

Hexinlusaurus multidens.png

Xiaosaurus

X. dashanpuensis

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

Yandusaurus

Y. hongheensis

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

Bashanosaurus B. primitivus Lower Shaximiao Formation The earliest-diverging stegosaur currently known; it shares features with basal thyreophorans and derived stegosaurs.[5]

Huayangosaurus

H. taibaii

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

A huayangosaurid with more spike-like plates than Stegosaurus. It was also one of the smallest known stegosaurs, at just 4.5 meters (15 feet) in length.[4]

Huayangosaurus BW.jpg

Gigantspinosaurus

G. sichuanensis

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A stegosaurian.[4]

G. sp.

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A stegosaurian.[4]

Chungkingosaurus

C. jiangbeiensis

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A stegosaurian.[4]

Chungkingosaurus jiangbeiensis.jpg

Tuojiangosaurus

T. multispinus

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A stegosaurian.[4]

Tuojiangosaurus multispinus life restoration.jpg

Chialingosaurus

C. kuani

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A stegosaurian.[4]

Chialingosaurus BW.jpg

Yingshanosaurus[6]

Y. jichuanensis[6]

Upper Shaximiao Formation[6]

Nearly complete skeleton[6]

A stegosaurian.[6]

Gongbusaurus

G. shiyii

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

Teeth

Sauropods

Genus[4] Species[4] Stratigraphic position[4] Material Notes Images

Shunosaurus

S. lii

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

A eusauropod estimated with a length at 9.5 meters (31 feet), the weight at 3 metric tons (3.3 short tons). The tail ended in a club, equipped on its top with two successive spikes formed by 5 centimetres (2.0 inches)-long cone-shaped osteoderms probably used to fend off enemies.

Shunosaurus life restoration.jpg

Protognathosaurus

P. oxyodon

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

Yuzhoulong Y. qurenensis Lower Shaximiao Formation A macronarian known from a subadult specimen; the most basal known macronarian.[7]

Omeisaurus

O. luoquanensis

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

A mamenchisaurid.[4]

O. tianfuensis

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

A mamenchisaurid.[4]

Omeisaurus tianfuensis34.jpg

O. junghsiensis

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

A mamenchisaurid.[4]

O. changshouensis

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A mamenchisaurid.[4]

O. maoi

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A mamenchisaurid.[4]

O. fuxiensis

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A mamenchisaurid.[4]

Datousaurus

D. bashanensis

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

A mamenchisaurid.[4]

Datousaurus.jpg

Mamenchisaurus

M. constructus

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A mamenchisaurid.[4]

M. hochuanensis

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A mamenchisaurid.[4]

Mamench DB.jpg

M. youngi

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A mamenchisaurid.[4]

Mamenchisaurus youngi steveoc 86.jpg

M. jingyanensis

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A mamenchisaurid.[4]

Mamenchisaurus jingyanesi.jpg

Daanosaurus

D. zhangi

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

Zigongosaurus

Z. fuxiensis

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation Possibly a species of Mamenchisaurus.

Theropods

Genus[4] Species[4] Synonyms Stratigraphic position[4] Material Notes Images

Chuandongocoelurus

C. primitivus

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

Chuandongocoelurus life restoration.jpg

Elaphrosaurinae indet. Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation Formerly designated as the paratype of Chuandongocoelurus.[8]

Leshansaurus

L. qianweiensis

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao formation

A megalosaurid.[4]

Szechuanosaurus

S. campi

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

A metriacanthosaurid. Remains from the Shaximiao Formation might represent an indeterminate theropod.[8]

Szechuanosaurus campi - IMG 1247.JPG

Xuanhanosaurus

X. qilixiaensis

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

A metriacanthosaurid.[4]

Xuanhanosaurus qilixiaensis.png

Kaijiangosaurus

K. lini

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

A megalosaurid, early tetanuran, early averostran or basal carnosaur.[4]

Kaijiangosaurus SW.png

Gasosaurus

G. constructus

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

An avetheropod that measured between 3.5 and 4 meters (11 and 13 ft) in length, with a weight of around 150 kilograms (330 pounds). However, some estimates put its weight as high as 400 kilograms (880 pounds), as very little is known about it.

Gasosaurus constructus.png

Sinocoelurus

S. fragilis

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

Sinraptor

S. hepingensis

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

Probably represents a new genus.[8]

Yangchuanosaurusskull.JPG

Yangchuanosaurus

Y. shangyouensis

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao formation

Yangchuanosaurus NT small.jpg

Y. zigongensis

  • Szechuanosaurus zigongensis[8]

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

ZDM 9011 (holotype), a partial postcranial skeleton; ZDM 9012, a left maxilla; ZDM 9013, two teeth and ZDM 9014, a right hind limb.[8]

Yangchuanosaurus zigongensis.jpg

Chienkosaurus

C. ceratosauroides

Mamenchisaurus assemblage, Upper Shaximiao Formation

Chienkosaurus ulna.jpg

Turtles

Genus[4] Species[4] Stratigraphic position[4] Material Notes Images

Chengyuchelys

C. baenoides

Shangshaximiao Formation

A xinjiangchelyid.[4]

C. dashanpuensis

Shangshaximiao Formation

A xinjiangchelyid.[4]

C. latimarginalis

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

A xinjiangchelyid.[4]

Sichuanchelys

S. chowi

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

A sichuanchelyid.[9]

Tienfuchelys

T. zigongensis

Shangshaximiao Formation

A xinjiangchelyid.[4]

Sinaspideretes

S. wimani

Shangshaximiao Formation

A trionychian,[10] possibly the oldest known cryptodire

Therapsids

Genus[4] Species[4] Stratigraphic position[4] Material Notes Images

Bienotheroides

B. zigongensis

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

A tritylodontid.[4]

Polistodon

P. chuannanensis

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

A tritylodontid.[4]

Tritylodontidae

gen. et sp. indet.

Shunosaurus-Omeisaurus assemblage, Lower Shaximiao Formation

An indeterminate tritylodontid.[4]

Plants

Genus Species Stratigraphic position Material Notes
Brachyoxylon[11] B. qijiangense Masangyan village Leaves Family unknown.

See also

  • List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations

References

  1. Wang, Jun; Ye, Yong; Pei, Rui; Tian, Yamin; Feng, Chongqin; Zheng, Daran; Chang, Su-Chin (2018-04-03). "Age of Jurassic basal sauropods in Sichuan, China: A reappraisal of basal sauropod evolution". GSA Bulletin 130 (9–10): 1493–1500. doi:10.1130/B31910.1. ISSN 0016-7606. Bibcode2018GSAB..130.1493W. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338689711. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Moore, Andrew J.; Upchurch, Paul; Barrett, Paul M.; Clark, James M.; Xing, Xu (2020-08-17). "Osteology of Klamelisaurus gobiensis (Dinosauria, Eusauropoda) and the evolutionary history of Middle–Late Jurassic Chinese sauropods". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 18 (16): 1299–1393. doi:10.1080/14772019.2020.1759706. ISSN 1477-2019. https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10101710/1/Mooreetal2020%28Klamelisaurus%20green%20OA%29.pdf. 
  3. Zhou, Yuxuan; Dai, Hui; Yu, Haidong; Ma, Qingyu; Tan, Chao; Li, Ning; Lin, Yu; Li, Deliang (2022-04-15). "Zircon geochronology of the new dinosaur fauna in the Middle Jurassic lower Shaximiao Formation in Chongqing, SW China" (in en). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 592: 110894. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.110894. ISSN 0031-0182. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031018222000645. 
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 4.34 4.35 4.36 4.37 4.38 4.39 4.40 4.41 4.42 4.43 4.44 4.45 4.46 4.47 4.48 4.49 4.50 4.51 4.52 4.53 Li, K; Liu, J.; Yang, C.; Hu, F. (2011). "Dinosaur assemblages from the Middle Jurassic Shaximiao Formation and Chuanjie Formation in the Sichuan-Yunnan Basin, China". Volumina Jurassica 9 (9): 21–42. 
  5. Hui, Dai; Ning, Li; Maidment, Susannah C. R.; Guangbiao, Wei; Yuxuan, Zhou; Xufeng, Hu; Qingyu, Ma; Xunqian, Wang et al. (2022-03-03). "New Stegosaurs from the Middle Jurassic Lower Member of the Shaximiao Formation of Chongqing, China". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 41 (5): e1995737. doi:10.1080/02724634.2021.1995737. ISSN 0272-4634. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Zhu, S. (1994). "记四川盆地营山县一剑龙化石". Sichuan Cultural Relics (S1): 8–14. 
  7. "New macronarian from the Middle Jurassic of Chongqing, China: phylogenetic and biogeographic implications for neosauropod dinosaur evolution". Royal Society Open Science 9 (11): 220794. 2022. doi:10.1098/rsos.220794. PMID 36340515. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Carrano, M. T.; Benson, R. B. J.; Sampson, S. D. (2012). "The phylogeny of Tetanurae (Dinosauria: Theropoda)". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 10 (2): 211–300. doi:10.1080/14772019.2011.630927. 
  9. Joyce, W. G.; Rabi, M.; Clark, J. M.; Xu, Xing (2016). "A toothed turtle from the Late Jurassic of China and the global biogeographic history of turtles". BMC Evolutionary Biology 16 (1): 236. doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0762-5. PMID 27793089. 
  10. Ouyang, Hui; Li, Lu; Tong, Haiyan (July 2014). "A revision of Sinaspideretes wimani Young & Chow, 1953 (Testudines: Cryptodira: Trionychoidae) from the Jurassic of the Sichuan Basin, China". Geological Magazine 151 (4): 600–610. doi:10.1017/S0016756813000575. ISSN 0016-7568. Bibcode2014GeoM..151..600T. 
  11. Xie, Aowei; Wang, Yongdong; Tian, Ning; Uhl, Dieter (10 July 2023). "A new extinct conifer Brachyoxylon from the Middle Jurassic in southern China: Wood anatomy, leaf phenology, and paleoclimate" (in en). Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 317: 104945. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2023.104945. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0034666723001148. 

External links