Liushu Formation

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Liushu Formation
Stratigraphic range: Late Miocene (Tortonian to Messinian)
~11.0–6.4  Ma
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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.
Country China
Approximate paleocoordinates 35°00′N101°24′E / 35.0°N 101.4°E / 35.0; 101.4
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Liushu Formation (China)
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Liushu Formation (Gansu)

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.
Orientornis [7] [8] O. linxiaensisYangwapuzijifang, Guanghe CountyUpper partAn incomplete pelvis and synsacrumAn extinct ostrich
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

Mammals

Artiodactyla

GenusSpeciesCountyStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Chleuastochoerus [9] 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. [10] Houshan locality, Guanghe County [10] Middle to Upper part.An ancient deer
Dorcadoryx D. sp.Baihuacun and Langwagou locality.Middle to Upper part.An early caprini relative.
Eostyloceros [11] 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 [12] E. furcatusUpper partAn adult skull and pair of near-complete antlers.The largest known Eupox species ever discovered
Gazella [13] 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 [10] Houshan locality, Guanghe County [10] Upper partAn ancient giraffid
Protoryx P. sp. [10] Houshan locality, Guanghe County [10] 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. [14] Panyang and Songjianao locality.Lower to Middle partA cranium skull.An ancient bovid
Sinotragus S. wimani [10] Songshugou locality, Guanghe County [10] Upper partAn ancient bovid
Tsaidamotherium [15] T. brevirostrumYancaiping locality, Hezheng County.Lower part.A cranium skull.An ovibovinid caprinae .
Urmiatherium [16] U. intermediumHuaigou village, Gansu provinceUpper partA male adult skullAn early caprinae.

Carnivora

Caniformia
GenusSpeciesCountyStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Melodon M. majoriMiddle partA musteloid
Parataxidea [10] P. sinensis [10] Houshan locality, Guanghe County [10] Upper part [10] A fossil skull with maxillary teeth.a badger-like mustelid
Promephitis P. hootoniMiddle partA musteloid
P. sp.
Sinictis S. sp.Middle partA musteloid
Ursavus [10] [17] U. tedfordi. [10] Huaigou village, Guanghe County [10] Upper part [10] A cranium skull in association with the mandibleAn early bear
Ursavus tedforti.jpg
Feliformia
GenusSpeciesCountyStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Amphimachairodus [10] A. giganteus [10] Houshan, Guanghe County [10] Upper part [10] to Middle partA homotheriine machairodontine felid.
Amphimachairodus hezhengensis skull 2 - Jiangzuo et al 2023.jpg
A. hezhengensis [18] Upper part.A nearly complete cranium skull
Dinocrocuta D. giganteaHoushan locality, Guanghe CountyMiddle partA complete cranium skull.A gigantic hyena
Dinocrocuta gigantea.jpg
Felis [10] F. sp. [10] Guanghe County [10] Upper part [10] to Middle partA felid.
Hyaenictitherium [10] H. hyaenoides [10] Houshan locality, Guanghe County [10] Upper part to Middle part [10] A hyaenid
Hyaenictitherium DB24.jpg
H. wongii [10]
Ictitherium [10] I. sp. [10] Guanghe County [10] Upper part [10] to Middle partA hyaenid
Metailurus [10] M. major [10] Guanghe County [10] Upper part [10] 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 [19] A. sp. [10] Duikang locality, Guanghe County. [10] 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 [10] Guanghe County [10] Middle partAn ancient horse
H. coelophyesUpper part
H. dongxiangense [14] Lower part
H. weihoensisMiddle part
Rhinocerotids
GenusSpeciesLocalityStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Acerorhinus A. hezhengensisMiddle partSkulls based on sexual dimorphismA hornless rhino

Chilotherium

C. wimani

Zhongmajia, Guanghe County [10] 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 skull.png
Ningxiatherium [20] N. euryrhinus.Guonigou in Nalesi Township, Dongxiang County

Lower part

A completely adult skull with both cheek tooth rows
Parelasmotherium P. linxiaense [14] Dongxiang County [14] Lower partA near complete skullA grazing elasmotheriine
Parelasmotherium linxiaense head.png
P. simplum [14] Lower part

Sinotherium

S. lagrelii [10]

Guanghe County [10] 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 [21] H. asiaticusNiuzhawan, Sanhe Village, Hezheng CountyUpper part.A complete skull with a mandible and 5 cervical .An early murinae rodent.
Hystrix [22] H. brevirostraMaijiaji Village, Hezheng County.Upper part.A nearly complete skull.An early porcupine.
Pararhizomys P. hipparionumMiddle partA rodent
P. parvulus [23] 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 [24] 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

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. Wang S. 2008. Rediscussion in the taxonomic assignment of Struthio linxiaensis Hou, et al., 2005. Acta Paleotologica Sinica 47:362–368.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
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