Open Paleo

Chuanjiesaurus

Fang et al., 2000 chwahn-jyeh-SAWR-us

Named for the village of Chuanjie in Yunnan Province, China, where the fossils were found, combined with Greek 'sauros' meaning 'lizard'.

170.9–168.2 million years ago Bajocian, Middle Jurassic
Middle Jurassic stages

Chuanjiesaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaurs from the middle Jurassic Period. They lived in what is now China. The type species, Chuanjiesaurus anaensis, was first described by Fang, Pang, Lü, Zhang, Pan, Wang, Li and Cheng in 2000. Fossils of the species were found in the village of Chuanjie, Lufeng County, Yunnan Province, (in Chuanjie Formation deposits) and are named after the location where the fossils were discovered. Holtz gave a length of 25 meters (82 ft).

Diagnosis

  1. Cervical vertebrae relatively long and opisthocoelous, with well-developed but shallow pleurocoels and low neural spines.
  2. Anterior caudals procoelous; posteriorly the posterior condyle weakens and centra become gently amphicoelous.
  3. Caudal neural spines alter in morphology from baton-shaped to plate-shaped; haemal spines bifid.
  4. Proximal scapula conspicuously broadened; proximal coracoid oval.
  5. Ilium relatively large and nearly semicircular, with well-developed pubic peduncle located anterior to the midline and a weak iliac peduncle.
  6. Forelimb/hind limb index 0.83/1; ulna/humerus index 0.65/1; tibia/femur index 0.65/1.

Species

Chuanjiesaurus anaensis Fang et al., 2000

Type species

Named for the village of Chuanjie (also written Ana in some sources) in Lufeng County, Yunnan Province, China, where the fossils were discovered in Chuanjie Formation deposits.

Holotype
Lfch 1001 , Lufeng World Dinosaur Valley
Material
Relatively complete postcranial skeleton (nine cervical vertebrae, 17 caudals, two ribs, one haemal arch, left and right scapulacoracoids, ?humerus, both radii and ulnae, right ilium, left pubis and ischium, both femora, tibiae, fibulae, and a single ungual phalanx); skull and dorsal vertebrae missing.
Horizon
Chuanjie Formation, Bajocian, Middle Jurassic , 170.9–168.2 million years ago
Locality
Laochangqing, Yunnan, China

References

  1. Fang, X.; Long, Q.; Lu, L.; Zhang, Z.; Pan, S.; Wang, Y.; Li, X.; Cheng, Z. (2000). [Lower, Middle, and Upper Jurassic divisions of the Lufeng region of Yunnan province]. Proceedings of the Third National Stratigraphical Congress of China 208-214. Geological Publishing House, Beijing. fang2000a
  2. Paul, G. S. (2024). The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs (3rd ed.). Princeton University Press.

    Source of the mass estimate.

    paul2024a
  3. Jones, B. (2026). The Princeton Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs: Sauropods. Princeton University Press.

    Source of the hip height estimate, and the appearance features.

    jones2026b