Gaogou Formation | |
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Stratigraphic range: Cenomanian-Coniacian ~ | |
![]() Zhang Fengchen at the Gaogou Formation | |
Type | Geological formation |
Sub-units | Upper Member, Lower Member |
Underlies | Majiacun Formation |
Overlies | Baiwan Formation |
Lithology | |
Primary | Conglomerate |
Other | Mudstone |
Location | |
Coordinates | 33°24′N112°54′E / 33.4°N 112.9°E |
Approximate paleocoordinates | 32°42′N104°42′E / 32.7°N 104.7°E |
Region | Henan Province |
Country | China |
Extent | Xixia Basin |
The Gaogou Formation is a fossiliferous geological formation located in the Xixia Basin of China. The formation dates back to the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Coniacian) and fossilized eggs of dinosaurs and turtles are commonly reported from the formation. Dinosaur taxa are also reported from the unit.
Color key
| Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; |
Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic Position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baotianmansaurus | B. henanensis | Neixiang | "Partial vertebrae and scapula." [1] | A titanosauriform. | ||
Beibeilong | B. sinensis | Heimaogou | "Embryonic skeleton with associated partial nest." [2] | A large caenagnathid. | ![]() | |
Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic Position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dendroolithus | D. xichuanensis | Xichuan | "Eggshell fragments and collapsed eggs." [3] | Dendroolithid eggs laid by ornithopods, sauropod or theropods. | ||
Indeterminate | Xixia | "Intact eggs and egg clutches." [3] | Dendroolithid eggs laid by ornithopods, sauropod or theropods. | ![]() | ||
Dictyoolithus | D. neixiangensis | Xixia | Not specified. [3] | Dictyoolithid eggs. | ||
Faveoloolithus | Indeterminate | Nanxiang | "Single egg." [3] | Faveoloolithid egg. | ||
Macroelongatoolithus | M. xixiaensis | Heimaogou | "Partial nest of 6-8 eggs, and eggshell fragments." [2] | Elongatoolithid eggs laid by Beibeilong . | ![]() | |
M. xixiaensis | Neixiang, Xixia | "Isolated eggs and complete egg clutches." [3] | Elongatoolithid eggs laid by caenagnathids. | ![]() | ||
Neixiangoolithus | N. yani | Neixiang | "Multiple egg clutches." [4] | Testudoolithid eggs laid by a turtle. | ||
Paraspheroolithus | P. cf. irenensis | Xixia | "Complete egg clutches." [3] | Spheroolithid eggs. | ||
Placoolithus | P. tumiaolingensis | Yunxian | "Several eggs and egg clutches." [5] | Dendroolithid eggs laid by ornithopods, sauropod or theropods. | ||
Prismatoolithus | P. gebiensis | Neixiang, Xixia | "Several egg clutches." [3] | Prismatoolithid eggs laid by troodontids. | ![]() | |
Youngoolithus | Y. xiaguanensis | Xixia | "Clutch with 4 eggs." [3] | Youngoolithid eggs. | ||
Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic Position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Araucariaceae indet. | Indeterminate | Xixia | "Amber pieces." [6] | A conifer. | ![]() | |
Plantae indet. | Indeterminate | Not specified. | Upper Member | "Rhizoliths." [7] | Root traces. | |
Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic Position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beaconites | B. antarcticus | Not specified. | Upper Member | "Horizontal-overtical, straight to slightly curved, single, lined, meniscate burrows." [7] | Invertebrate traces. | |
B. capronus | Not specified. | Upper Member | "Horizontal to vertical, straight to slightly curved, lined, unbranched burrows." [7] | Invertebrate traces. | ||
B. coronus | Not specified. | Upper Member | "Mostly horizontal to vertical, meniscate burrows." [7] | Invertebrate traces. | ||
Gastruichnus | G. xixiaensis | Not specified. | Upper Member | "Large, high dipping, slightly curved and unbranched burrow." [7] | Traces made by molluscs. | |
Palaeophycus | P. heberti | Not specified. | Upper Member | "Straight to curved, horizontal to vertical, unbranched and lined burrows." [7] | Invertebrate traces. | |
P. megas | Not specified. | Upper Member | "Curved, horizontal to vertical, unbranched and lined burrows." [7] | Invertebrate traces. | ||
Skolithos | S. linearis | Not specified. | "Cylindrical burrows." [7] | Invertebrate traces. | ||
S. magnus | Not specified. | "Cylindrical to subcylindrical, vertical and slightly curved burrows." [7] | Invertebrate traces. | |||
Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic Position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yuchelys | Y. nanyangensis | Neixiang | "Partial skeleton with carapace." [8] | A nanhsiungchelyid. | ||