Qingtoushan Formation

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Qingtoushan Formation
Stratigraphic range: Middle Permian, Roadian
Type Geological formation
Underlies Sunan Formation
Overlies Yaogou Formation
ThicknessOver 300 metres
Lithology
Primary Sandstone
Other Mudstone
Location
Region Gansu
Country China
Extent Qilian Mountains
Type section
Named byLiu et al
Year defined2012

The Qingtoushan Formation is a Middle Permian-age geologic formation in the Qilian Mountains of Gansu, China. It is known for its diverse tetrapod fauna known as the Dashankou fauna, which likely dates to the Roadian, and includes some of the oldest known therapsids. [1] This formation was previously erroneously named as the Xidagou Formation, a name which applies to otherwise Triassic strata in the northern Qillian Mountains. The formation is over 300 metres thick, and primarily consists of purple-red coarse sandstones, with minor purple mudstone. [2]

Contents

Paleobiota

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.

Synapsida

GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages

Biseridens [3]

B. qilianicus [3]

A well-preserved skull [3] An anomodont [3]

Biseridens qilianicus.jpg

Sinophoneus [4]

S. yumenensis [4]

A single skull (GMV 1601)An anteosaurid dinocephalian

Sinophoneus09.jpg

Stenocybus [4]

S. acidentatus [4]

A skull (IGCAGS V 361) and fragmentary jaw bones

Jr. synonym of Sinophoneus yumenensis

StenocybusDB.jpg

Raranimus

R. dashankouensis

Dashankou localityA partial skullA basal therapsid.

Raranimus dashankouensis (2).jpg

Sauropsida

GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages

Belebey

B. zhengi

A bolosaurid parareptile

Belebey1DB.jpg

Gansurhinus

G. qingtoushanensis

A captorhinid

Chronisuchia

GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Phratochronis P. qilianensisA Chroniosuchid
Ingentidens I. corridoricusA Chroniosuchid
Ingentidens-Paleozoological Museum of China.jpg

Temnospondyli

GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Anakamacops A. petrolicusA dissorophid temnospondyl
Anakamacops petrolicusDB20.jpg

References

  1. Duhamel, A.; Benoit, J.; Rubidge, B. S.; Liu, J. (August 2021). "A re-assessment of the oldest therapsid Raranimus confirms its status as a basal member of the clade and fills Olson's gap" . The Science of Nature. 108 (4): 26. doi:10.1007/s00114-021-01736-y. ISSN   0028-1042. PMID   34115204. S2CID   235403632.
  2. Liu J, Qinghua S, Keqin S, Lu L (2012) The horizon of Dashankou Fauna and the Permo-Triassic strata in northern Qilian area, China. Vertebr Palasiat 50(4):373–381 (In Chinese)
  3. 1 2 3 4 Liu, J.; Rubidge, B.; Li, J. (2009). "A new specimen of Biseridens qilianicus indicates its phylogenetic position as the most basal anomodont". Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 277 (1679): 285–292. doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.0883. PMC   2842672 . PMID   19640887.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Kammerer, C.F. (2011). "Systematics of the Anteosauria (Therapsida: Dinocephalia)". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 9 (2): 261–304. doi:10.1080/14772019.2010.492645. S2CID   84799772.