[D] Qiupalong henanensis [sG] [T]
Describer
Xu, Kobayashi, Lü, Lee, Liu, Y, Tanaka, Zhang, Jia & Zhang 2010
Time
Cretaceous Late
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Ornithomimosauria Ornithomimidae
Diet
Omniviore?
Fossilsite
[Qiupa Formation, Xu et al 2010) Quiba Formation (Dong, 1979), Luanchuan County, Tantou Basin, Henan Province, China
Info
Abstract
A partial skeleton of the ornithomimid dinosaur, discovered from the Late Cretaceous [Qiupa Formation ]of Luanchuan County, Tantou Basin, Henan Province, China, is described here and assigned to a newgenus and species, Qiupalong henanensis, with unique features (a notch on the lateral surface of the lateral posterior process of the proximal end of tibia and a small pit at the contact between astragalus and calcaneum).
A phylogenetic analysis in this study suggests that it is a derived ornithomimid and forma monophyly with North American ornithomimids (Struthiomimus altus and [Ornithomimus edmontonicus = nomen correctum = Ornithomimus edmontonensis), sharing two characters (straight pubic shaft and large acute angle between pubic shaft and boot). Some characters (small anterior process of the pubic boot and curved pedal unguals) are seen in basal ornithomimosaurs as well, but these features in Q. henanensis are reversal. Qiupalong is the first definitive ornithomimid from outside of the Gobi Desert and is the southern-most occurrence of Late Cretaceous ornithomimid from eastern Asia, demonstrating southern extension of ornithomimid distribution in Asia.
Holotype
HGM 41HIII-0106. A disarticulated partial skeleton, including ilia, pubes, partial ischia, right hindlimb (tibia, metatarsals, and phalanges).
Etymology
Referring to its occurrence in Qiupa of Luanchuan County and from the Qiupa Formation, and long Chinese in Pinyin, dragon. | Referring to its occurrence from Henan Province of China.
Type locality
A quarry near a village, Qiupa, Luanchuan County, Henan Province, China. Stratigraphic horizon. The Qiupa Formation, late Late Cretaceous.
Diagnosis
An ornithomimid theropod dinosaur with unique features (a notch on the lateral surface of the medial posterior process of the proximal end of tibia and a small pit is present at the contact between astragalus and calcaneum) as well as a combination of primitive (short anterior extension of pubic boot) and derived features (arctometatarsal condition, straight pubic shaft, and wide angle between pubic shaft and boot).