[D] Shixinggia oblita [sG] [T]
Describer
Lü & Zhang, 2005
Time
Cretaceous Late Maastrichtian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Maniraptora Oviraptorosauria Oviraptoridae
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Pingling Formation, Shixing County, Guangdong Province, China
Info
Genus - Typespecies
Shixinggia oblita is characterized by a relatively short preacetabular process of the ilium compared with its postacetabular process , and relatively high ratio of the ilium height (above the center of the acetabulum) to its length , the vent ral margins of the preacetabular and postacetabular processes are much higher than the dorsal margin of the acetabulum , however. Shixinggia oblita shows a special character of large openings present on the anterior mesial surface of the trochanteric ridge in the femur , and the proximal end of the tibia , those openings are not reported in any known oviraptorosaurs. This is the second new genus of oviraptorosaurs from southern China in addition to Heyuannia huangi, which was reported in 2003.
Etymology
Shixing refer s to t he fo ssil locali ty , Shixing County of Guangdong Province ; oblita Latin , neglected. This specimen was discovered in 1995 , but it remained undescribed until now.
Holotype
A nearly complete sacrum with three posterior dor sal and three anterior caudal vertebrae naturally articulated , two incomplete ribs , both ilia , part s of a femur , tibia , fibula and the fourth toe.
Ends of the preacetabular process and t he postacetabular process of the ilium similar in obt use shape , and their vent ral margins higher than the dor sal margin of the acetabulum , the preacetabular process shorter than the postace2 tabular process. The ratio of the height to t he length of ilium is 0. 32. A large opening present on the anteromedial surface near the proximal end of the femur , a relatively small opening al so present on the proximal end of the tibia.
Shixinggia oblita gen. et sp . nov. is distinguished by at least two autapomorp hies : the ratio of t he height/ length of ilium is greater than that of Ingennia yanshini , but smaller than that of Oviraptor mongoliensis , and the presence of a large opening on the proximal end of the femur . The pneumatic hind limb bones appearing in Shixinggia oblita indicates that Shixingga is a more derived oviraptorosaur .