The oldest stegosaurus fossil in Asia was found in Chongqing. Stegosaurus is well known to the public and is called the "star" of dinosaurs. Stegosaurus fossils were first discovered in Britain in 1874. Since then, more and more stegosaurus fossils have been discovered, and the oldest stegosaurus fossils in Asia have been discovered in Chongqing.
The oldest stegosaurus fossil in Asia was found in Chongqing 1. In the dinosaur world, stegosaurus is a strange dinosaur. It has two rows of vertical bone plates from the front neck to the tail along the back, and uses 2~4 pairs of large bone spurs at the tail end as weapons. Its head is only the size of a watermelon and it is a vegetarian, which makes it a well-known star dinosaur.
Dinosaur fossils are an important password for people to understand how dinosaurs survived and died out hundreds of millions of years ago. However, there are not many stegosaurus fossils found in the world, and most of them have poor bone integrity, so the relationship between stegosaurus and its early evolution needs further study.
Recently, a research paper on the origin of stegosaurus was published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Researchers found the oldest stegosaurus in Asia in Yunyang dinosaur fauna in Chongqing, and named it Bashan Dragon in yuanshi county. This study adds new evidence to the origin of stegosaurus in Asia and also solves many mysteries about stegosaurus.
New genus and species of dinosaurs were first discovered in Shaximiao Formation, Yunyang.
20 15, 1 One day in June, villagers in Laojun Village, Pu 'an Township, Yunyang County, Chongqing found a big stone in the field and reported it immediately. Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources quickly organized an expert investigation and determined that it was a dinosaur fossil.
The expert group conducted an investigation around this bone and found that there are huge dinosaur fossil resources and rich secrets buried here.
Even more incredible, through the investigation of fossil resources, the researchers found that dinosaur fossils were exposed in four towns and villages, with a length of 18.2 kilometers, including 17 layers of fossils.
In 20 19, an expert group led by Zhou Zhonghe, an academician of China Academy of Sciences and a researcher at the Institute of vertebrate paleontology and Paleoanthropology of Chinese Academy of Sciences, identified that Yunyang dinosaur fauna in Chongqing has the characteristics of wide distribution, long time span and rich species, and is a world-class centralized burial place of dinosaur fossils, with high scientific value and development and utilization value.
In order to explore these precious fossil resources, the 208 Institute of Geological Relics Protection of Chongqing Geological Exploration Bureau has carried out relevant research work. "According to the outcropping strata, the Stegosaurus fossils we studied this time came from the lower Shaximiao Formation. It is the first new genus and new species dinosaur of Shaximiao Formation and the fourth new genus and new species dinosaur named after Yunyang dinosaur fauna in Chongqing. " Li Ning, the first author of the paper and a researcher at the 208 Institute of Geological Relics Protection of Chongqing Geological Exploration Bureau, told China Science Journal.
Dinosaurs are divided into sauropods and birds' buttocks, among which sauropods are divided into theropods and sauropods; The hips of birds can be divided into stegosaurus, theropod dinosaur, Ankylosaurus, Ceratosaurus and pachycephalosaurus. The Bashan dragon named this time belongs to the Stegosaurus of the bird-buttock class.
The name was inspired by a poem by Li Shangyin, Autumn Pool Rains at Night. "'Bashan' stands for Chongqing, and' yuanshi county' means that this newly named Stegosaurus represents the most basic or primitive group of Stegosaurus." Li Ning said.
China's origin theory of Stegosaurus has important evidence.
In the late Early Jurassic and Middle Jurassic, there was a worldwide transgression on the earth, and shallow seas invaded many continental hinterland, resulting in the lack of continental sedimentary strata in the Early-Middle Jurassic. During this period, the dinosaur fossils found in the world were very limited, and the research on related dinosaurs was almost blank.
1874, stegosaurus fossils were first discovered in Britain. Since then, more and more stegosaurus fossils have been found on all continents except Oceania and Antarctica. Dinosaur scholars all over the world are looking for when stegosaurus appeared on the earth, and there has been great controversy about its true origin.
"The oldest stegosaurus fossil discovered before is located in Morocco, Africa, so some scholars believe that stegosaurus originated in Africa. However, Taibai Huayang Dragon in Zigong, Sichuan, China is also a very primitive stegosaurus species. Therefore, some scholars believe that Stegosaurus originated in China. " Dai Hui, the first author of the paper and a senior engineer of Chongqing Geological Exploration Bureau's 208 Institute of Geological Relics Protection, told China Science Journal.
Skeletal morphology is the most basic and commonly used research method to study dinosaur fossils and many vertebrate fossils. The fossil materials discovered this time include scapula, coracoid, spine, coccyx, femur, tibia, fibula, metatarsal, rapier and tail thorn.
According to Li Ning, from the morphological characteristics, yuanshi county Bashan Dragon is obviously different from other stegosaurus, and its morphological characteristics are similar to those of early crustaceans (ancestors of stegosaurus) and other early stegosaurus (such as Taibai Huayang Dragon). It can be seen that yuanshi county Bashan Dragon belongs to the early stegosaurus group.
The results of stratigraphic dating show that Bashan Dragon lived 65.438+0.69 billion years ago, earlier than Taibai Huayang Dragon, which is equivalent to the oldest stegosaurus fossil found in Morocco, with richer and more complete materials. Therefore, Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty is the oldest stegosaurus in Asia and one of the oldest stegosaurus in the world.
There are 17 stegosaurus species recognized all over the world, accounting for about 40% in China, and the stegosaurus species are very rich. The discovery of Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty not only enriched the species of Stegosaurus in China, but also made China monopolize half of the four oldest Stegosaurus in the world.
"Therefore, whether it is the number of stegosaurus species or the ancient degree, the discovery of Bashan Dragon in yuanshi county provides new evidence for the origin of Asian stegosaurus, and also enhances the status of Chongqing stegosaurus group in the world." Li Ning said.
This research has also been recognized by world-renowned stegosaurus research experts. "The discovery of Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty increased the evidence that Stegosaurus originated in early Middle Jurassic (even early Jurassic). At the same time, Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty is also one of the earliest bird-buttock dinosaurs in known times. " Dr. Susannah Maidment, a paleontologist at the British Museum of Natural History and one of the authors of the paper, said.
Explore the causes of fossil agglomeration
Chongqing Yunyang dinosaur fauna is the most densely distributed "treasure house" of dinosaur fossils in Chongqing, where there are very rich dinosaur fossils. Why are there so many dinosaur fossils in Yunyang?
"The study found that the dinosaur fossils in Yunyang have many strata, that is to say, dinosaurs did not exist here at a certain time, but have lived here for millions of years. This shows that the ancient environment, vegetation and water source of Yunyang were very suitable for dinosaurs to survive about/kloc-0.8 billion years ago. " Dai Hui explained.
"According to our research, there are mud volcanoes in Yunyang Fossil 1 area, and disasters have occurred. High-temperature mud and toxic gases are ejected at the same time, resulting in the death of dinosaur clusters, so a large number of dinosaur fossils will be buried here. " Dai Hui said.
The study of dinosaur fossils is huge, relatively boring and time-consuming, but in Dai Hui's view, this work is very meaningful. "Fossil is a' magic mirror'. They will take us "through" to the era of dinosaur life and help us understand the face and living environment of dinosaur life. The discovery of more fossils will only bring us closer to the truth, which makes us full of energy. "
Paleontological research can help human beings explore the origin and evolution of life and construct the evolutionary history of life on earth. "We can know the boundaries of nature from the research and exploration of paleontology, so as to better understand the earth on which we live and create a better tomorrow for human life." Li Ning said.
The oldest stegosaurus fossil in Asia was found in Chongqing. On the 7th, the reporter learned from Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources that a new genus and species of dinosaur-yuanshi county Bashan Dragon Fossil was found in Yunyang, Chongqing. Related research shows that it is the oldest stegosaurus in Asia at present, which adds new evidence to China's stegosaurus origin theory.
"Research shows that it lived 6.5438+69 million years ago and is one of the four oldest stegosaurus species in the world." Dai Hui, a senior engineer at the 208 Institute of Geological Relics Protection of Chongqing Geological Exploration Bureau, said that the oldest stegosaurus in Asia came from Zigong, Sichuan, and it was Taibai Huayang Dragon. It is estimated that Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty was 6.5438+million years earlier than it.
In naming, its general name "Bashan" stands for Chongqing, and its specific name "yuanshi county" indicates that it stands for the most basic or primitive group of Stegosaurus.
The Basilong fossils of Yuan Dynasty come from the primitive stone wall of Xiashaximiao Formation excavated by Yunyang dinosaur fauna, mainly including scapula, coracoid, spine, coccyx, femur, tibia, fibula, metatarsal, rapier and coccyx.
"Through technical reduction, we think it is about 2.8 meters long and belongs to the stegosaurus in the bird-buttock class." Li Ning, a researcher at the 208 Institute of Geological Relics Protection of Chongqing Geological Exploration Bureau, said that after the discovery of Bashan Dragon fossils in yuanshi county, the researchers compared each skeleton with all stegosaurus in the world. The results show that its morphological characteristics are obviously different from other stegosaurus, so it is designated as a new genus and species.
Stegosaurus is well known to the public and is called the "star" of dinosaurs. Stegosaurus fossils were first discovered in Britain in 1874. Since then, more and more stegosaurus fossils have been discovered, mainly in the United States, Britain, Portugal, South Africa, Argentina, China and other countries.
Under the auspices of Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources, Dai Hui, a senior engineer and researcher at the 208 Institute of Geological Relics Protection of Chongqing Geological Survey, Li Ning and Susanna ·c·r· Maidemen, research librarians of Chongqing Geological Survey, Wei Cursor, research librarian of Zigong Dinosaur Museum, and other experts and scholars * * * completed the study of Bashan Dragon in yuanshi county and the paper New Stegosaurus of Xiashaxi Temple Group in Chongqing, China.
"Paleontological research can help humans explore the origin and evolution of life and build the evolutionary history of life on earth." The above experts said that the discovery of Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty provided new evidence for the origin of Stegosaurus in China, both in terms of species number and in ancient times.
The oldest stegosaurus fossil in Asia was discovered in Chongqing three days ago.
The reporter learned from Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources
Newly discovered dinosaur fossils in Chongqing
The new genus and species of dinosaurs discovered this time—
Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty was the oldest stegosaurus in Asia.
It is also one of the oldest stegosaurus in the world.
Susanna, a world-famous stegosaurus expert, said
Discovery of Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty
Add new evidence for stegosaurus originated in China.
The fossil material of Bashan Dragon discovered this time comes from the primitive stone wall in the lower part of Shaximiao Formation which has been excavated by Yunyang dinosaur fauna, including scapula, coracoid, spine, coccyx, femur, tibia, fibula, metatarsal, rapier, tail thorn and other bone fossils.
"Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty" preserved on the fossil wall. Photo courtesy of Hualong, Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources. Com- new Chongqing client
The scapula of Bashan dragon discovered this time is more prominent than that of ordinary stegosaurus.
"The newly discovered dinosaur is a new genus and species, and the common name' Bashan' stands for Chongqing. The name' yuanshi county' indicates that this newly named stegosaurus represents the most basic or primitive group of stegosaurus." Dai Hui, a senior engineer at the 208 Institute of Geological Relics Protection of Chongqing Geological Exploration Bureau, said.
Stegosaurus, as a well-known dinosaur, has a unique shape, a relatively small head, four legs, shorter forelimbs than hind limbs, two rows of vertical bone plates symmetrically or staggered along the back from the front neck to the tail, and 2-4 pairs of large bone spurs as weapons at the tail end.
Vertebra and coccyx of Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty. Photo courtesy of Hualong, Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources. Com- new Chongqing client
However, the morphological characteristics of the dragon king dragon in Yuan Dynasty were obviously different from other stegosaurus. Its scapular acromion process is very small, its spine is very thin, and the accessory process of its dorsal vertebra is very developed. The transverse process of the anterior coccyx has no dorsal process, and the posterior coccyx is long and narrow. "These characteristics are similar to those of early crustaceans (ancestors of stegosaurus) and other early stegosaurus (such as Huayang Dragon), indicating that Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty belonged to the early stegosaurus group." Li Ning, a researcher at the 208 Institute of Geological Relics Protection of Chongqing Geological Exploration Bureau, said.
The scapula, coracoid, sword plate and tail thorn of Bashan dragon in Yuan Dynasty. Photo courtesy of Hualong, Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources. Com- new Chongqing client
Stegosaurus was first discovered in Yunyang dinosaur fauna.
Dai Hui introduced that all the earliest stegosaurus fossils found in the world come from the Middle Jurassic, including four species: Adratiklit boulahfa from Morocco, Isaberrysaura mollensis from Argentina, Taibai Huayang Dragon from Zigong City, Sichuan Province, China, and Bashan Dragon from yuanshi county reported this time.
Restoration map of Bashan dragon in Yuan Dynasty. Photo courtesy of Hualong, Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources. Com- new Chongqing client
According to the stratigraphic dating results, it is shown that yuanshi county Bashan Dragon lived 65.438+0.69 billion years ago, earlier than Taibai Huayang Dragon, which is equivalent to the era of Adratiklit boulahfa. It is the oldest stegosaurus in Asia and one of the oldest stegosaurus in the world.
"China Stegosaurus is rich in species, accounting for about 40% of the world." Dai Hui said that the discovery of Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty not only enriched the species of Stegosaurus in China, but also made China monopolize half of the four oldest Stegosaurus in the world. Therefore, the discovery of Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty provides new evidence that Stegosaurus originated in China, both in terms of species number and ancient degree.
In addition, the discovery of Bashan Dragon in Yuan Dynasty also added a new dinosaur group to Yunyang dinosaur fauna, which is also the fourth new dinosaur genus and species in this fauna. Dai Hui said: "This also laid a foundation for further excavating the scientific connotation of Yunyang dinosaur fossils and enhancing the academic status and social influence of the new dinosaur fauna."