Shunosaurus backbones (Picture provided by Chongqing Planning and Natural Resources Bureau)

CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Recently, the Chongqing Yunyang Dinosaur Fossil Group Conservation and Research 2019 Annual Symposium was held, and 11 nationally renowned paleontologists and sedimentologists agreed that the dinosaurs of the Xintiangou Formation in Yunyang, Chongqing, were a new dinosaur fauna. The study of this new fauna will fill the gap in the evolutionary sequence of dinosaurs.

A new animal group is a group of animal groups with a specific geographical distribution space, a diverse and unique combination, and a representative new genus.

Chongqing Yunyang dinosaur fossil group is rich in fossil combinations. So far, two new genus dinosaurs have been discovered, namely the new theropod dinosaur “Pu’an Yunyang Dinosaur” and the new new ornithoid dinosaur “Modaoxi Three Gorges Dinosaur”. The excavation and research of other dinosaur fossils also showed that there were various types of animal groups in this area, which were different from other known animal groups.

According to the relevant person in charge of Chongqing Municipal Geological Survey Institute, the late Early Jurassic to early Middle Jurassic was a critical period for the evolution of dinosaurs, but the world’s fossil records were relatively scarce. The research results of the dinosaur fauna of Xintiangou Formation in Yunyang, Chongqing can fill this gap. Next, they will carry out deeper excavations and research to paint a clearer picture of the evolution of dinosaurs.

According to the participating experts, Chongqing Yunyang dinosaur fossils have a wide range of distribution and a large span of time, which can be called the “dinosaur fossil wall”. Currently, a single fossil wall with a length of 150 meters, a height of 6 to 10 meters, and a display area of about 1,000 square meters has been excavated in the first area of the fossil concentration area. Nearly 5,000 pieces of fossils have been exposed on the wall surface, a world-class scale.

According to the relevant person in charge of the Chongqing Planning and Natural Resources Bureau, in order to give full play to the economic and social benefits of dinosaur fossil resources in Yunyang, Yunyang was actively applying for the National Geopark, and has completed the municipal approval of the Pu’an Dinosaur Geopark. At the same time, it planned to build a dinosaur fossil site museum in the excavation area, build dinosaur-themed recreation facilities, a dinosaur fossil museum and a science research base to provide citizens with more opportunities to get closer to dinosaurs and enhance their knowledge of paleontology. (Translated by Luo Juan, Fathom Language Limited)