Liushu Formation

Last updated
Liushu Formation
Stratigraphic range: Late Miocene
~11.0–6.4  Ma
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
Lishu Formation ecosystem.png
An artist's illustration of the Paleobiota and environment of the upper part of the Liushu formation
Type Geological formation
Lithology
PrimaryRed claystone, Siltstone
OtherMudstone
Location
Coordinates 35°30′N103°36′E / 35.5°N 103.6°E / 35.5; 103.6
Region Linxia Basin, Gansu Province.
CountryFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Approximate paleocoordinates 35°00′N101°24′E / 35.0°N 101.4°E / 35.0; 101.4
China edcp relief location map.jpg
Yellow pog.svg
Liushu Formation (China)

The Liushu Formation is a geological formation in Gansu province, China that spans up to 100 m thick and is widely distributed within the Linxia Basin, with a paleomagnetic age between 11 and 6.4 mya (Upper/Late Miocene).

Contents

Geology

The formation is divided into three parts representing three different ages, generally referred to as the "upper part" (youngest, at 6-7 mya), the "middle part" (intermediate, at 9 to 7.6 mya, also known as the Dashengou Fauna), and the "lower part" (oldest). [1] [2]

Paleobiota

Birds

GenusSpeciesLocalityStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Gansugyps [3] G. linxiaensisYangwapuzijifang, Guanghe County Upper partA preserved skeletonAn extinct old-world vulture
Linxiavis [4] L. inaquosus [4] Baiwang, Gansu Province Middle part–Upper part [4] Articulated and associated elements of the wings, shoulder girdle, vertebrae, and hind limbAn extinct sandgrouse
Miosurnia [5] M. diurna Linxia Basin of Gansu ProvinceUpper partA nearly complete articulated bird skeleton, lacking the right forelimb and left manual digitsA diurnal surniin bird that belongs to the owl family.
Mioneophron [6] M. longirostrisBaihua Village, Zhuangheji Town, Guanghe CountyUpper partA nearly complete skeletonAn extinct old-world vulture.
Panraogallus P. hezhengensisZhuangkeji Township, Gansu ProvinceUpper partA skeletonA phasianid bird
Panraogallus hezhengensis.jpg
Sinoergilornis S. guangheensisLangwagou Village, Zhuangkeji Town, Guanghe CountyUpper partA three-dimensionally preserved distal left tarsometatarsus and a nearly complete set of pedal phalangesAn eogruid
Struthio [7] S. linxiaensis Yangwapuzijifang, Guanghe CountyUpper partAn incomplete pelvis and synsacrumAn extinct ostrich

Mammals

Artiodactyla

GenusSpeciesCountyStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Chleuastochoerus [8] C. linxiaensisYangwapuzi, Guanghe County Upper partThe cranium of a male individual and a juvenile femaleA Hyotheriinae suidae.
C. stehliniMiddle to Upper partCranium skull and mandible
Dicrocerus D. sp. [9] Houshan locality, Guanghe County [9] Middle to Upper part.An ancient deer
Dorcadoryx D. sp.Baihuacun and Langwagou locality.Middle to Upper part.An early caprini relative.
Eostyloceros [10] E. hezhengensisGaojiashan, Hezheng CountyUpper partAn adult skull with its cranial appendages, lacking the muzzle, the left dentition, and the basioccipital partA large-sized muntjak
Euprox [11] E. furcatusUpper partAn adult skull and pair of near-complete antlers.The largest known Eupox species ever discovered
Gazella [12] G. dorcadoides Houshan and Baihuacun locality, Guanghe CountyUpper part.Early relatives of gazelles.
G. gaudryi Middle to Upper part
G. paotehensis Multiple skulls.
Hezhengia H. bohliniHoushan, Bajia, Shuanggongbei, and Zhongmajia locality, Guanghe CountyMiddle partA bovid
Honanotherium H. schlosseriHoushan locality, Guanghe CountyMiddle partAn ancient giraffid
Honanotheriums schlosseri.JPG
Miotragocerus M. gregariusHoushan locality, Guanghe CountyMiddle partAn extinct antelope
Miotragocerus skeletal.png
Paleotragus P. microdon [9] Houshan locality, Guanghe County [9] Upper partAn ancient giraffid
Protoryx P. sp. [9] Houshan locality, Guanghe County [9] Upper partAn ancient bovid
Samotherium S. boissieriHoushan locality, Guanghe CountyMiddle partA cranium skull.An ancient giraffid
Schansitherium S. tafeliDashengou and Yangjiashan, Gansu CountyUpper partA cranium skull.A four-horned giraffid
Shansitherium-Beijing Museum of Natural History.jpg
Shaanxispira S. linxiaensis. [13] Panyang and Songjianao locality.Lower to Middle partA cranium skull.An ancient bovid
Sinotragus S. wimani [9] Songshugou locality, Guanghe County [9] Upper partAn ancient bovid
Tsaidamotherium [14] T. brevirostrumYancaiping locality, Hezheng County.Lower part.A cranium skull.An ovibovinid caprinae .
Urmiatherium [15] U. intermediumHuaigou village, Gansu provinceUpper partA male adult skullAn early caprinae.

Carnivora

Caniformia
GenusSpeciesCountyStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Melodon M. majoriMiddle partA musteloid
Parataxidea [9] P. sinensis [9] Houshan locality, Guanghe County [9] Upper part [9] A fossil skull with maxillary teeth.a badger-like mustelid
Promephitis P. hootoniMiddle partA musteloid
P. sp.
Sinictis S. sp.Middle partA musteloid
Ursavus [9] [16] U. tedfordi. [9] Huaigou village, Guanghe County [9] Upper part [9] A cranium skull in association with the mandibleAn early bear
Ursavus tedforti.jpg
Feliformia
GenusSpeciesCountyStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Amphimachairodus [9] A. giganteus [9] Houshan, Guanghe County [9] Upper part [9] to Middle partA homotheriine felid.
Amphimachairodus hezhengensis skull 2 - Jiangzuo et al 2023.jpg
A. hezhengensis [17] Upper part.A nearly complete cranium skull
Dinocrocuta D. giganteaHoushan locality, Guanghe CountyMiddle partA complete cranium skull.A gigantic hyena
Dinocrocuta gigantea.jpg
Felis [9] F. sp. [9] Guanghe County [9] Upper part [9] to Middle partA felid.
Hyaenictitherium [9] H. hyaenoides [9] Houshan locality, Guanghe County [9] Upper part to Middle part [9] A hyaenid
Hyaenictitherium DB24.jpg
H. wongii [9]
Ictitherium [9] I. sp. [9] Guanghe County [9] Upper part [9] to Middle partA hyaenid
Metailurus [9] M. major [9] Guanghe County [9] Upper part [9] A metalurin felid.

Perissodactyla

The Liushu formation displays a lineage of Elasmotheriine rhinoceros throughout its stratigraphy. Iranotherium is restricted to the middle part of the formation but remains absent in the overlying layers, the only Elasmotheriine that can be found in the upper layers is Sinotherium .

Chalicotheres
GenusSpeciesLocalityStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Ancylotherium [18] A. sp. [9] Duikang locality, Guanghe County. [9] Lower partA juvenile cranium skull.A shizotheriine chalicothere
Nestoritherium N. linxiaenseHoushan locality, Guanghe CountyLower and Middle partsA skull without the occipital surface, right zygomatic arch, premaxilla, and anterior nasal boneA chalicothere
Equids
GenusSpeciesLocalityStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Hipparion H. chiai [9] Guanghe County [9] Middle partAn ancient horse
H. coelophyesUpper part
H. dongxiangense [13] Lower part
H. weihoensisMiddle part
Rhinocerotids
GenusSpeciesLocalityStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Acerorhinus A. hezhengensisMiddle partSkulls based on sexual dimorphismA hornless rhino

Chilotherium

C. wimani

Zhongmajia, Guanghe County [9] Middle partSeveral skull specimens.

A tusked rhino

Chilotherium Chilotherium.jpg
Chilotherium

Iranotherium

I. morgani [2]

Guanghe County [2] Middle partTwo skulls based on sexual dimorphism and an isolated mandible

An elasmotheriine with a unique sexual dimorphism, ancestral to Sinotherium

Iranotherium-bpk.jpg
Ningxiatherium [19] N. euryrhinus.Guonigou in Nalesi Township, Dongxiang County

Lower part

A completely adult skull with both cheek tooth rows
Parelasmotherium P. linxiaense [13] Dongxiang County [13] Lower partA near complete skullA grazing elasmotheriine
Parelasmotherium linxiaense head.png
P. simplum [13] Lower part

Sinotherium

S. lagrelii [9]

Guanghe County [9] Upper part

A partial skull

An elasmotheriine, ancestral to Elasmotherium . It displays the important transition from nose-horned to forehead-horned rhinos.

Sinotherium lagrelii head.png

Rodents

GenusSpeciesCountyMemberMaterialNotesImages
Huerzelerimys [20] H. asiaticusNiuzhawan, Sanhe Village, Hezheng CountyUpper part.A complete skull with a mandible and 5 cervical .An early murinae rodent.
Hystrix [21] H. brevirostraMaijiaji Village, Hezheng County.Upper part.A nearly complete skull.An early porcupine.
Pararhizomys P. hipparionumMiddle partA rodent
P. parvulus [22] Xiayangwan, Guanghe County.Middle partAn anterior part of a skull with two I2s, left M1‒3 and right M1‒2.

Proboscidea

GenusSpeciesLocalityMemberMaterialNotesImages
Tetralophodon T. exoletusHoushan locality, Guanghe County Middle partA gomphothere
Konobelodon [23] K. robustusZhongmajia and Guonigou, Guanghe CountyMiddle and Upper partsMultiple specimens comprising a skull, pelvis bone, and incomplete mandiblesAn amebelodont
Amebelodon21.jpg

Reptiles

GenusSpeciesLocalityStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Eryx E. linxiaensisShangwangjia Village, Gaunghe County Upper partA series of partially preserved cranial and post-cranial elementsA sand boa

Related Research Articles

<i>Diceros</i> Genus of Rhinocerotidae

Diceros is a genus of rhinoceros containing the extant black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and several extinct species.

<i>Gomphotherium</i> Extinct genus of elephant-like mammals

Gomphotherium is an extinct genus of gomphothere proboscidean from the Neogene of Eurasia, Africa and North America. It is the most diverse genus of gompothere, with over a dozen valid species. The genus is probably paraphyletic.

<i>Sinotherium</i> Extinct genus of mammals

Sinotherium is an extinct genus of single-horned elasmotheriine rhinocerotids that lived from the late Miocene to Early Pliocene. It was ancestral to Elasmotherium, demonstrating a very important evolutionary transition from nasal-horned elasmotheriines to frontal-horned elasmotheriines. Its fossils have been found in the Karabulak Formation of Kazakhstan, lower jaw and teeth have been found in Mongolia, and a partial skull is known from the upper part of the Liushu Formation of western China. Sinotherium diverged from the ancestral genus, Iranotherium, first found in Iran, during the early Pliocene. Some experts prefer to lump Sinotherium, and Iranotherium into Elasmotherium.

<i>Kubanochoerus</i> Extinct family of mammals

Kubanochoerus is an extinct genus of large, long-legged suid artiodactyl mammal from the Miocene of Eurasia and Africa.

<i>Iranotherium</i> Extinct genus of mammal

Iranotherium is an extinct genus of large elasmotheriine rhinocerotids, comparable in size to a modern white rhino. It is known from the Late Miocene (Tortonian) of Maragha, Iran and the middle part of the Liushu formation of northwestern China. It was a precursor to the related Sinotherium and may have been ultimately outcompeted by its descendant. This species is most well known for showing unique sexual dimorphism among rhinos.

<i>Chilotherium</i> Extinct genus of rhiniceros

Chilotherium is an extinct genus of rhinocerotids endemic to Eurasia during the Miocene through Pliocene living for 13.7—3.4 mya, existing for approximately 10.3 million years.

Nestoritherium is an extinct genus of chalicothere; it has been dated to have lived from the late Miocene to the Early Pleistocene. This range makes Nestoritherium one of the most recently dated chalicotheres. It has been found in fossil sites in Myanmar and China.

Miomachairodus is an extinct genus of large machairodontine containing only a single species, Miomachairodus pseudailuroides. It is mainly known from Middle Miocene-age fossils in Turkey and persisted until the early Late Miocene (Vallesian). Fossils of this machairodont have been found in the Vallesian-age Bahe Formation in Shaanxi, China, and Yeni Eskihisar in Anatolia. This Turkish site is of Miocene age and is well known for its pollen studies.

Gobicyon is an extinct genus of large-sized carnivoran mammals, belonging to the Amphicyonidae, that was discovered in China, Mongolia, and Serbia, and lived during the Middle Miocene epoch. Despite only being known from rather fragmentary remains, recent discoveries showcase that it was an aberrant member of the subfamily Haplocyoninae, with adaptions towards bone-crushing similar to those of a hyaena.

Aegyrcitherium is an extinct genus of prehistoric rhinoceros endemic to Europe during the Miocene living from 16.9—16 mya existing for approximately 0.9 million years.

Deng Tao is a Chinese palaeontologist at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, who has made important fossil discoveries on Cenozoic mammals. He is a professor of vertebrate palaeontology, deputy director of the Academic Committee, and deputy director of Key Laboratory of Evolutionary Systematics of Vertebrates at IVPP.

<i>Shansirhinus</i> Extinct genus of rhinoceros

Shansirhinus is an extinct genus of rhinocerotid endemic to China during the Miocene through Pliocene.

This paleomammalogy list records new fossil mammal taxa that were described during the year 2014, as well as notes other significant paleomammalogy discoveries and events which occurred during that year.

Tsaidamotherium is an extinct genus of Late Miocene ovibovinid caprine from the Tibetan Plateau of Northwestern China. Both known species are extremely unusual in that the horns are of unequal sizes: the left horn core is several times smaller than the right horn core. Although it is originally considered that it belongs to the tribe Ovibovini, close to the muskox, Ovibos moschatus, a study in 2022 posits Tsaidamotherium as a giraffoidean genus in the family Prolibytheriidae together with Prolibytherium and Discokeryx.

This paleomammalogy list records new fossil mammal taxa that were described during the year 2011, as well as notes other significant paleomammalogy discoveries and events which occurred during that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amebelodontidae</span> Extinct family of mammals

Amebelodontidae is an extinct family of large herbivorous proboscidean mammals related to elephants. They were formerly assigned to Gomphotheriidae, but recent authors consider them a distinct family. They are distinguished from other proboscideans by having flattened lower tusks and very elongate mandibular symphysis. The lower tusks could grow considerable size, with those of Konobelodon reaching 1.61 metres (5.3 ft) in length. Their molar teeth are typically trilophodont, and possessed posttrite conules. In the past, amebelodonts' shovel-like mandibular tusks led to them being portrayed scooping up water plants, however, dental microwear suggests that they were browsers and mixed feeders. The lower tusks have been proposed to have had a variety of functions depending on the species, including stripping bark, cutting through vegetation, as well as possibly digging. They first appeared in Africa during the Early Miocene, and subsequently dispersed into Eurasia and then North America. They became extinct by the beginning of the Pliocene. While some phylogenetic studies have recovered Amebelodontidae as a monophyletic group that forms the sister group to Gomphotheriidae proper, some authors have argued that Amebelodontidae may be polyphyletic, with it being suggested that the shovel-tusked condition arose several times independently within Gomphotheriidae, thus rendering the family invalid.

Allacerops is an extinct genus of odd-toed ungulate belong to the rhinoceros-like family Eggysodontidae. It was a small, ground-dwelling browser, and fossils have been found in Oligocene deposits throughout Central and East Asia.

Linxiavis inaquosus is an extinct species of sandgrouse known from a partial skeleton, found in the Late Miocene Liushu Formation at the edge of the Tibetan Plateau in Gansu Province of China. It is the most substantial and oldest record of crown Sandgrouse in China which adds to the rapidly growing avian fauna of the Liushu formation.

Miosurnia is an extinct genus of surniin bird from the Late Miocene Liushu Formation of Gansu Province, China. The genus contains a single species, Miosurnia diurna, known from a nearly complete, articulated skeleton.

<i>Pliorhinus</i> Extinct genus of rhinoceros

Pliorhinus is an extinct genus of rhinoceros known from the Late Miocene and Pliocene of Eurasia. The type species, Pliorhinus megarhinus, was previously assigned to Dihoplus.

References

  1. "Vertebrata PalAsiatica, Vol. 42, 2004----Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences". english.ivpp.cas.cn. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  2. 1 2 3 Deng, Tao (2005-06-27). "New discovery of Iranotherium morgani (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotidae) from the late Miocene of the Linxia Basin in Gansu, China, and its sexual dimorphism". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 25 (2): 442–450. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2005)025[0442:NDOIMP]2.0.CO;2. ISSN   0272-4634. S2CID   85820005.
  3. Zhang, Zihui & Xiaoting, Zheng & Zheng, Guangmei & Hou, Lianhai. (2010). A new Old World vulture (Falconiformes: Accipitridae) from the Miocene of Gansu Province, northwest China. Journal of Ornithology. 151. 401-408. 10.1007/s10336-009-0468-1.
  4. 1 2 3 Li, Zhiheng; Stidham, Thomas A.; Deng, Tao; Zhou, Zhonghe (2020-03-31). "Evidence of Late Miocene Peri-Tibetan Aridification From the Oldest Asian Species of Sandgrouse (Aves: Pteroclidae)". Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 8: 59. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00059 . ISSN   2296-701X.
  5. Li, Z., Stidham, T.A., Zheng, X., Wang, Y., Zhao, T., Deng, T., & Zhou, Z. (2022). Early evolution of diurnal habits in owls (Aves, Strigiformes) documented by a new and exquisitely preserved Miocene owl fossil from China. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 119.
  6. li, Zhiheng & Clarke, Julia & Zhou, Zhonghe & Deng, Tao. (2016). A new Old World vulture from the late Miocene of China sheds light on Neogene shifts in the past diversity and distribution of the Gypaetinae. The Auk. 133. 615-625. 10.1642/AUK-15-240.1.
  7. Hou, L., Zhou, Z., Zhang, F. et al. A Miocene ostrich fossil from Gansu Province, northwest China. Chin.Sci.Bull. 50, 1808–1810 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1360/982005-575
  8. Hou S, Deng T. A new species of Chleuastochoerus (Artiodactyla: Suidae) from the Linxia Basin, Gansu Province, China. Zootaxa. 2014 Oct 13;3872(5):401-39. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3872.5.1. PMID 25544095.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 Deng, Tao; Wang, ShiQi; Hou, SuKuan (2013-05-01). "A bizarre tandem-horned elasmothere rhino from the Late Miocene of northwestern China and origin of the true elasmothere". Chinese Science Bulletin. 58 (15): 1811–1817. Bibcode:2013ChSBu..58.1811D. doi: 10.1007/s11434-012-5574-4 . ISSN   1861-9541.
  10. Deng, Tao, Wang, Shi-Qi, Shi, Qin-Qin, Li, Yi-Kun & Li, Yu, 2014, A new species of Eostyloceros (Cervidae, Artiodactyla) from the Late Miocene of the Linxia Basin in Gansu, China, Zootaxa 3893 (3), pp. 363-381
  11. Hou, Sukuan. (2014). A new species of Euprox (Cervidae, Artiodactyla) from the upper Miocene of the Linxia Basin, Gansu Province, China, with interpretation of its paleoenvironment. Zootaxa. 3911. 43-62. 10.11646/zootaxa.3911.1.2.
  12. Shi, Qinqin. (2023). Fossil bovids from the Linxia Basin of Gansu Province, China, and their implications for regional biostratigraphy, palaeogeography and palaeoecology. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 619. 111543. 10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111543.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Deng, Tao (2007-06-12). "Skull of Parelasmotherium (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotidae) from the upper miocene in the Linxia Basin (Gansu, China)". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 27 (2): 467–475. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2007)27[467:SOPPRF]2.0.CO;2. ISSN   0272-4634. S2CID   130213090.
  14. SHI QinQin, "New species of Tsaidamotherium (Bovidae, Artiodactyla) from China sheds new light on the skull morphology and systematics of the genus." SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences 2014, Vol. 57 Issue (2): 258-266 DOI: 10.1007/s11430-013-4722-2
  15. Shi, Qinqin & Wang, Shiqi & Chen, Shaokun & Li, Yi-kun & Palasiatica, Vertebrata. (2016). The first discovery of Urmiatherium (Bovidae, Artiodactyla) from Liushu Formation, Linxia Basin. Vertebrata Palasiatica.
  16. QiuZ, X., Deng, T., & WangB, Y. (2014). A Late Miocene Ursavus skull from Guanghe, Gansu, China.
  17. Jiangzuo Q, Werdelin L, Sanisidro O, Yang R, Fu J, Li S, Wang S, Deng T. Origin of adaptations to open environments and social behaviour in sabretoothed cats from the northeastern border of the Tibetan Plateau. Proc Biol Sci. 2023 Apr 26;290(1997):20230019. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0019. Epub 2023 Apr 19. PMID 37072045; PMCID: PMC10113030.
  18. Chen, Shaokun & Deng, Tao & Pang, Li-Bo & He, Wen & Chen, Shan-Qin. (2012). A juvenile skull of Ancylotherium (Mammalia, Perissodactyla, Chalicotheriidae) from the Pliocene of China. Geobios. 45. 527-534. 10.1016/j.geobios.2012.06.002.
  19. Deng, Tao. (2008). A new elasmothere (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotidae) from the Late Miocene of the Linxia Basin in Gansu, China. Geobios. 41. 719-728. 10.1016/j.geobios.2008.01.006.
  20. Wang B Y, Qiu Z X, Li L Z, 2020. A Late Miocene Huerzelerimys (Rodentia: Muridae) skull from Hezheng, Gansu, China. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 58(2): 120–133
  21. Wang B Y, Qiu Z X, 2020. New Hystrix (Hystricidae, Rodentia) from the Neogene of Linxia Basin, Gansu, China. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 58(3): 204–220
  22. Wang B Y, 2022. A new species of Pararhizomys (Tachyoryctoidinae, Muroidea)from Linxia Basin of Gansu Province. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 60(4): 271–277
  23. Wang, Shiqi & Shi, Qinqin & He, Wen & Chen, ShanQin & Yang, XiangWen. (2016). A new species of the tetralophodont amebelodontine Konobelodon Lambert, 1990 (Proboscidea, Mammalia) from the Late Miocene of China. Geodiversitas. 38. 65-97. 10.5252/g2016n1a4.