Miaogou Formation

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Miaogou Formation
Stratigraphic range: late Early Cretaceous, ~AptianAlbian
Type Geological formation
Unit of Yangtaiwatan Basin [1]
Underlies Baiyanghe Formation [2]
Lithology
Primary Sandstone, mudstone, muddy limestone and sandy conglomerate [1]
Location
Coordinates 40°12′N105°44′E / 40.200°N 105.733°E / 40.200; 105.733
Region Inner Mongolia
CountryFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
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Miaogou Formation (China)
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Miaogou Formation (Inner Mongolia)

The Miaogou Formation is a geological formation in Inner Mongolia, north China. While its absolute age is uncertain, it has been estimated to represent Early Cretaceous sediments based on the faunal composition. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation.

Contents

History and geology

The primary fossil-producing outcrop of the Miaogou Formation is the Maortu locality, which was discovered in 1959 by a joint expedition of Chinese and Russian paleontologists. [3] Initial reports of the locality's fauna incorrectly assigned the fossils to either the Ulansuhai or Dashuigou formations, but a later discussion corrected this. [4]

While the Miaogou Formation has not been absolutely dated, estimates based on charophytan, stratigraphic, and sedimentological studies have proposed a BarremianAlbian age range. [5] However, a more narrow range (around Aptian-Albian) is implied based on the fossil animals found in the formation, which are inconsistent with Chinese Barremian faunas such as those associated with the Jehol Biota. [4]

Paleoenvironment

Analysis of the formation's geology indicates that it represents a hot, humid environment with large lake systems. [3] The formation's lower member preserves alluvial fan to braided stream deposits, while the upper member preserves meandering stream and lacustrine deposits. [6]

Fossil content

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Dinosaurs

GenusSpeciesRegionMaterialNotesImages

Gobisaurus

G. domoculus

Maortu locality, Chilantai

A skull, with undescribed postcranial remains belonging to the same individual [7]

An ankylosaurid closely related to Shamosaurus ; originally interpreted as from the nearby Ulansuhai Formation [4]

GobisaurusNV.jpg

Probactrosaurus

P. gobiensis

Maortu locality, Chilantai

Partial skulls and skeletons [8]

A hadrosauroid ornithopod; originally interpreted as from the nearby Dashuigou Formation [4]

Probactrosaurus v3.jpg

Shaochilong

S. maortuensis

Maortu locality, Chilantai

Partial skull, axis, and caudal vertebrae [9]

A tetanuran theropod, formerly " Chilantaisaurus " maortuensis; originally interpreted as from the nearby Ulansuhai Formation [4]

Shaochilong.jpg

Yuanyanglong

Y. bainian

Maortu locality, Chilantai

Two associated partial skeletons of similarly sized individuals [4]

A basal oviraptorosaurian theropod

Yuanyanglong bainian.png

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egg fossil</span> Fossilized remains of eggs laid by ancient animals

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References

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  2. Liu, Lihui; Zhang, Shuai; Liu, Qinfu; Liu, Linsong; Deng, Youjun (September 2021). "Palaeoclimate, palaeosalinity and redox conditions control palygorskite claystone formation: an example from the Yangtaiwatan Basin, northwest China". Clay Minerals. 56 (3): 210–221. doi:10.1180/clm.2022.1. ISSN   0009-8558.
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  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hao, Mingze; Li, Zhiyu; Wang, Zhili; Wang, Shuqiong; Ma, Feimin; Qinggele; King, J. Logan; Pei, Rui; Zhao, Qi; Xu, Xing (2024-10-24). "A new oviraptorosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Miaogou Formation of western Inner Mongolia, China". Cretaceous Research (in press): 106023. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106023.
  5. Van Itterbeeck, Jimmy; Bultynck, Pierre; Li, Guo Wen; Vandenberghe, Noel (2001). "Stratigraphy, sedimentology and palaeoecology of the dinosaur-bearing Cretaceous strata at Dashuiguo (Inner Mongolia, People's Republic China)" (PDF). Bulletin van het Koninklijk Belgisch Instituut voor Natuurwetenschappen. 71: 51–66.
  6. Wang, Zheng Qi; Guan, Tai Yang (2004). "Uranium pre-concentration in Miaogou Formation, Lower Cretaceous and its prospecting significance in Chaoshui Basin". Uranium Geology (in Chinese). 20 (5): 279–285.
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