Scientists in the Chinese mainland have unlocked a prehistoric mystery with the identification of Xingxiulong yueorum, a newly discovered sauropod dinosaur species dating back 190 million years. Unearthed in Yunnan Province’s fossil-rich Lufeng Basin in 2015, the remarkably preserved skeleton offers fresh insights into the diversity of Early Jurassic ecosystems.
The specimen includes vertebrae spanning from the second dorsal to the twentieth caudal, along with nearly complete hind limbs and shoulder bones. Researchers highlight its unique pelvic structure as a “missing link” in sauropod evolution, challenging previous assumptions about their anatomical development during this period.
Yunnan’s Lufeng region, often called “China’s dinosaur graveyard,” continues to reshape paleontological understanding. This discovery follows recent finds of other Jurassic-era species, painting a more complex picture of prehistoric biodiversity in Asia.
The research team, collaborating with international experts, plans to use 3D modeling to reconstruct the dinosaur’s movement patterns. Their findings could influence how scientists track the emergence of gigantism in later sauropods like Brontosaurus and Diplodocus.
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Scientists identify new sauropod dinosaur species in SW China
cgtn.com
