Open Paleo

Microhadrosaurus

Dong, 1979 MY-kro-HAD-ro-SAWR-us Nomen dubium

From Greek 'mikros' meaning 'small' and 'hadros' meaning 'bulky', plus Greek 'sauros' meaning 'lizard'; translates as 'small bulky lizard', reflecting its small size compared to other hadrosaurs.

72.2–66.0 million years ago Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous
Late Cretaceous stages

Microhadrosaurus is a genus of hadrosaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian or Maastrichtian) Nanxiong Formation of Guangdong, China. Although its name identifies it as a small hadrosaurid, it is based on juvenile remains, and the adult size is unknown.

Species

Microhadrosaurus nanshiungensis Dong, 1979 Nomen dubium

Type species

Named for the Nanxiong Basin in Guangdong Province, China, where the holotype was discovered.

Holotype
IVPP V4732 , Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology
Material
A 13.2 cm midsection of a left mandible (posterior dentary) preserving 19 dental rows and a partial coronoid process.
Horizon
Nanxiong Formation, Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous , 72.2–66.0 million years ago
Locality
Guangdong, China

References

  1. Dong, Z. (1979). Dinosaurs from the Cretaceous of South China. Mesozoic and Cenozoic Red Beds of South China: Selected Papers from the "Cretaceous-Tertiary Workshop," Nanxiong, Guangdong Province (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology; Nanjing Institute of Paleontology, eds.) 342-350. Science Press, Beijing. dong1979a
  2. Brett-Surman, M. K. (1989). A revision of the Hadrosauridae (Reptilia: Ornithischia) and their evolution during the Campanian and Maastrichtian. 1-272. Doctoral thesis, The George Washington University.

    PhD dissertation; assesses Microhadrosaurus as a nomen dubium.

    brett-surman1989a
  3. Xing, L.; Lockley, M. G.; Li, D.; Klein, H.; Ye, Y.; Persons, W. S., IV; Ran, H. (2016). Late Cretaceous ornithopod-dominated, theropod, and pterosaur track assemblages from the Nanxiong Basin, China: new discoveries, ichnotaxonomy, and paleoecology. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 466: 303-313. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2016.11.035

    Treats Microhadrosaurus as a nomen dubium based on an incomplete juvenile.

    xing2016a
  4. Mo, J.; Zhao, Z.; Wang, W.; Xu, X. (2007). The first hadrosaurid dinosaur from southern China. Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition) 81(4): 550-554. doi:10.1111/j.1755-6724.2007.tb00978.x

    Treats Microhadrosaurus nanshiungensis as a nomen dubium.

    mo2007a