The Zhoutian Formation () is a geological formation in Jiangxi, China. It has been dated to the late Cretaceous period, at about 96–90 Ma. Abundant egg fossils are known from the formation, in addition to dinosaurs such as Datai and Gandititan. Invertebrate and plant fossils have also been described from the Zhoutian Formation.
Geology
Layers of the Zhoutian Formation are characterized by a consistent sandy lithology, typically with mauve (reddish to purplish) hues. Most of the formation alternates between fine calcic sandstone and siltstone layers. In some places, other minerals are interbedded, such as calcium, gypsum, halite, and mirabilite. The Zhoutian Formation dates to around 96–90 million years ago, during the Turonian–early Coniacian ages of the early Late Cretaceous epoch within the Cretaceous period.
Stratigraphy The Zhoutian Formation is the upper unit of the Ganzhou Group, overlying the Maodian Formation in that group. The Guifeng Group (beginning with the Hekou Formation) overlies the Zhoutian Formation. These two groups comprise the Ganzhou Basin.
Paleoenvironment The lower unit of the Zhoutian Formation is suggested to have had a predominantly hot-arid climate, punctuated by two cooling events. The upper unit was likely characterized by a predominantly warm-humid climate with frequent climate fluctuations. The environment has been interpreted as a shallow lacustrine (lake) system. While oviraptorid body fossils have not been found in the Zhoutian Formation, they are among the most common dinosaur fossils found in other similar localities, in addition to occasional sauropod and hadrosaurid fossils.
Fossil content
Dinosaurs GenusSpeciesRegionMaterialNotesImagesCarcharodontosauridae indet.IndeterminateJiangxiJXGM-F-2023-8 (a tooth)A tooth with morphological similarities to carcharodontosaurid teeth and tentatively referred to the family.Datai D. yingliangisJiangxiYLSNHM 01002 (holotype) and YLSNHM 01003 (paratype), two articulated, associated specimens including both skulls, as well as some cervical, dorsal, and caudal vertebrae, partial pectoral and pelvic girdles, left arm bones, a partial right femur, ribs, and several osteodermsAn ankylosaurine; possibly closely related to PinacosaurusGandititanG. cavocaudatusJiangxiJXGM-F-V1, a series of cervical, dorsal, sacral, and caudal vertebrae, ribs, and a partial right pelvic girdleA basal titanosaur; closely related to Abdarainurus
Other reptiles GenusSpeciesRegionMaterialNotesImagesPan-Trionychidae indet.IndeterminateJiangxiCUGW VH245, a nearly-complete carapace with skeletal fragments, including a femur and both ilia, of a juvenile individualA softshell turtle
Ootaxa GenusSpeciesRegionMaterialNotesImagesWormoolithus W. luxiensisJiangxiPXMV-0021, a small partial clutch with the remains of at least seven eggsClassified as belonging to the SimilifaveoloolithidaeUndulatoolithusU. pengiJiangxiPXMV-0016, a well-preserved clutch of eight eggsClassified as belonging to the Elongatoolithidae, possibly laid by an oviraptorosaurParafaveoloolithusP. pingxiangensisJiangxiPXMV-0009-01, a single partial eggClassified as belonging to the Faveoloolithidae
Invertebrates GenusSpeciesRegionMaterialNotesImagesNemestheriaN. sp.Jiangxi A clam shrimp
Plants GenusSpeciesRegionMaterialNotesImagesEuonymusE. sp.JiangxiA flowering plant within the family CelastraceaeFrenelopsisF. sp.JiangxiA conifer within the family Cheirolepidiaceae
See also
List of stratigraphic units with dinosaur body fossils List of stratigraphic units with dinosaur trace fossils
References