Qingtoushan Formation

Qingtoushan Formation
Stratigraphic range: Middle Permian, Roadian
TypeGeological formation
UnderliesSunan Formation
OverliesYaogou Formation
ThicknessOver 300 metres
Lithology
PrimarySandstone
OtherMudstone
Location
RegionGansu
Country China
ExtentQilian 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]

Paleobiota

[edit]
Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Synapsida

[edit]
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images

Biseridens[3]

B. qilianicus[3]

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

Sinophoneus[4]

S. yumenensis[4]

A single skull (GMV 1601) An anteosaurid dinocephalian

Stenocybus[4]

S. acidentatus[4]

A skull (IGCAGS V 361) and fragmentary jaw bones

Jr. synonym of Sinophoneus yumenensis

Raranimus

R. dashankouensis

Dashankou locality A partial skull A basal therapsid.

Sauropsida

[edit]
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images

Belebey

B. zhengi

A bolosaurid parareptile

Gansurhinus

G. qingtoushanensis

A captorhinid

Chronisuchia

[edit]
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Phratochronis P. qilianensis A Chroniosuchid
Ingentidens I. corridoricus A Chroniosuchid

Temnospondyli

[edit]
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Anakamacops A. petrolicus A dissorophid temnospondyl

References

[edit]
  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. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c d 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.