The Balabansai Formation (sometimes transcribed Balabansay, also known as Balabansai Svita) is a geological formation in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan whose strata date back to the Bathonian and Callovian stages of the Middle Jurassic. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation.Weishampel, David B; et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution (Late Jurassic, Asia)." In: Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press. Pp. 550–552. . The lithology primarily consists of variegated sandstones, siltstones, claystones, and rare gravels and marls. Many taxa have been found in the formation, including amphibians and mammals.
Vertebrate paleofauna Indeterminate Avialae remains located in Ongtustik Qazaqstan Oblysy, Kazakhstan.
Fish Fish of the Balabansai Formation Genus Species Presence NotesFerganamiaF. verziliniA bowfinFerganoceratodusF. jurassicusA lungfishPalaeobatesP. verziliniAn elasmobranchPolyacrodusP. balabansaiensis, P. prodigialisA hybodont
Amphibians Amphibians of the Balabansai Formation Genus Species Presence NotesFerganobatrachusF. riabininiTemnospondylKokartusK. honorariusSalamander
Turtles Turtles of the Balabansai Formation Genus Species Presence NotesToxocheloidesT. narynensisXinjiangchelysX. tianshanensis, X. latimarginalisXinjiangchelydae
Lizards Lizards of the Balabansai Formation Genus Species Presence NotesChangetisaurus C. estesiRelative of DorsetisaurusLacertilia Indeterminate
Choristoderes Choristoderes of the Balabansai Formation Genus Species Presence NotesChoristoderaIndeterminateSimilar to Cteniogenys
Crocodyliformes Crocodyliformes Genus Species Presence NotesSunosuchusIndeterminate
Dinosaurs Dinosaurs Genus Species PresenceMaterial Notes PraeornisP. sharovi Geographically located in Ongtustik Qazaqstan Oblysy, Kazakhstan. AlpkarakushA. kyrgyzicusJalal-Abad Oblast, KyrgyzstanA partial skeleton including skull bones, partial pectoral and pelvic girdles, dorsal and sacral vertebrae, and most of the hindlimbsA metriacanthosaurid theropodFerganasaurusF. verziliniLocated within KyrgyzstanBasal sauropodFerganocephaleF. adenticulatumLocated within KyrgyzstanDubious taxon, Neornithischia indet.Neosauropoda indet.Family, genus and species indeterminateKyrgyzstanA heavily worn tooth, the apex of a tooth crown, a left metatarsal I, and a right manual phalanxTetanurae indet.Family, genus and species indeterminateKyrgyzstanDozens of teethStegosauria indet.Family, genus and species indeterminateKyrgyzstanFour posterior dorsal vertebraeMay be as old as Adratiklit. Remains not diagnostic, given nomen nudum "Ferganastegos" by Roman Ulansky.
Pterosaurs Mammals Genus Species Presence NotesRhamphorhynchinae indet.Genus and species indeterminateKyrgyzstan
Mammals Mammals Genus Species Presence NotesFerganodonF. cf. naryensisA eutriconodontParitatodonIndeterminateA docodont or a shuotheriidSimpsonodonIndeterminateA docodont, multiple species presentTashkumyrodonT. desideratusA docodontAmphilestidaeIndeterminateAmphitheriidaeIndeterminateDocodontaIndeterminatePaurodontidaeIndeterminateTegotheriidaeIndeterminateTinodontidaeIndeterminateTriconodontidaeIndeterminate
Invertebrate paleofauna Molluscs Genus Species Presence NotesProparreysia"P. thashkumyrica"A bivalveSulcatapex"S. chatkalica"A bivalveYeniella"Y. asiatica", "Y. sculpturata"A bivalve
Flora Conifers Genus Species Presence NotesPodozamitesP. lanceolatus
Ferns Genus Species Presence NotesCladophlebisC. whitbiensisConiopterisC. furssenkoi, C. hymenophylloides
See also List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations
References