Open Paleo

Gobisaurus

Vickaryous et al., 2001 goh-bee-sore-us

From the Gobi Desert (where it was found) combined with Greek sauros (lizard); meaning 'Gobi lizard'

121.4–100.5 million years ago Aptian–Albian, Early Cretaceous
Early Cretaceous stages

Gobisaurus is an extinct genus of herbivorous basal ankylosaurid ankylosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of China (Nei Mongol Zizhiqu). The genus is monotypic, containing only the species Gobisaurus domoculus.

Diagnosis

  1. Orbits 20% of cranial length and external nares 23% of cranial length (large prominent openings)
  2. Robust basipterygoid processes not fused to main pterygoid body (unfused basipterygoid-pterygoid contact)
  3. Elongate premaxillary processes of vomers visible in palatal view
  4. Cranium longer than wide (cranial length exceeds cranial width)
  5. Lacks discernible cranial sculpturing over antorbital area
  6. Maximum premaxillary rostrum width greater than distance between the posteriormost maxillary teeth

Species

Gobisaurus domoculus Vickaryous et al., 2001

Type species

From Latin 'domoculus' meaning 'hidden from view', referring to the specimen having been largely overlooked for three decades after its discovery.

Holotype
IVPP V12563 , Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology
Material
Virtually complete ankylosaur skeleton.
Notes
Only the holotype cranium has been described; the postcranium was unavailable for study.
Horizon
Miaogou Formation, Aptian–Albian, Early Cretaceous , 121.4–100.5 million years ago
Locality
Maortu, Inner Mongolia, China

References

  1. Vickaryous, M. K.; Russell, A. P.; Currie, P. J.; Zhao, X. J. (2001). A new ankylosaurid (Dinosauria: Ankylosauria) from the Lower Cretaceous of China, with comments on ankylosaurian relationships. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 38(12): 1767-1780. Canadian Science Publishing. doi:10.1139/e01-051 vickaryous2001a
  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: Ornithischians. Princeton University Press.

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

    jones2026a
  4. Hao, M.; Li, Z.; Wang, Z.; Wang, S.; Ma, F.; Qinggele; Logan King, J.; Pei, R.; Zhao, Q.; Xu, X. (2024). A new oviraptorosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Miaogou Formation of western Inner Mongolia, China. Cretaceous Research 167(78): 106023. Elsevier BV. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106023

    Places the Maortu strata in the Miaogou Formation, superseding the Ulanhushao of the describing paper.

    hao2024a