Open Paleo

Jiutaisaurus

Wu et al., 2006

Named for Jiutai, the discovery site in Jilin, China, combined with Greek 'sauros' meaning 'lizard', hence 'Jiutai lizard'.

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

Jiutaisaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur from the Quantou Formation of Jilin, China. The formation dates from the Early–Late Cretaceous boundary. The type species, Jiutaisaurus xidiensis, was described by Wu and colleagues in 2006, and is based on eighteen vertebrae. It probably lived alongside Changchunsaurus and Helioceratops.

Diagnosis

  1. Longitudinal ridge developed on both sides of the upper lateral surface of middle caudal centra
  2. Anterior and middle caudal vertebrae amphicoelous, with posterior cavity slightly deeper
  3. Neural arch positioned on anterior half of centrum, occupying approximately half of centrum length
  4. Chevrons unforked (not bifurcated) at their distal ends
  5. Haemal canal of chevrons deep, length exceeding half the total chevron length
  6. Caudal centra with highly porous, cancellous (honeycomb) internal bone texture

Species

Jiutaisaurus xidiensis Wu et al., 2006

Type species

Named for Xidi Village in Jiutai, Jilin, China, where the holotype was recovered.

Holotype
CAD-02 , Jilin University Museum
Material
18 articulated anterior and middle caudal vertebrae
Horizon
Quantou Formation, Aptian–Albian, Early Cretaceous , 121.4–100.5 million years ago
Locality
Xidi village, Weizigou, Jiutai, Jilin, China

References

  1. Wu, W. H.; Dong, Z. M.; Sun, Y. W.; Li, C. T.; Li, T. (2006). [A new sauropod dinosaur from the Cretaceous of Jiutai, Jilin, China]. Global Geology 25(1): 6-9. wu2006a