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Liushu Formation

Coordinates: 35°30′N 103°36′E / 35.5°N 103.6°E / 35.5; 103.6
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Liushu Formation
Stratigraphic range: Late Miocene
~11.0–6.4 Ma
An artist's illustration of the Paleobiota and environment of the upper part of the Liushu formation
TypeGeological formation
Lithology
PrimaryRed claystone, Siltstone
OtherMudstone
Location
Coordinates35°30′N 103°36′E / 35.5°N 103.6°E / 35.5; 103.6
RegionLinxia Basin, Gansu Province.
Country China
Approximate paleocoordinates35°00′N 101°24′E / 35.0°N 101.4°E / 35.0; 101.4
Liushu Formation is located in China
Liushu Formation
Liushu Formation (China)

The Liushu Formation is a geological formation in Gansu province, China that spans up to 100 m thick and is widely distributed within the Linxia Basin, with a paleomagnetic age between 11 and 6.4 mya (Upper/Late Miocene).

Geology

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The formation is divided into three parts representing three different ages, generally referred to as the "upper part" (youngest, at 6-7 mya), the "middle part" (intermediate, at 9 to 7.6 mya, also known as the Dashengou Fauna), and the "lower part" (oldest).[1][2]

Paleobiota

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Birds

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Genus Species Locality Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Gansugyps [3] G. linxiaensis Yangwapuzijifang, Guanghe County Upper part A preserved skeleton An extinct old-world vulture
Linxiavis[4] L. inaquosus[4] Baiwang, Gansu Province Middle part–Upper part [4] Articulated and associated elements of the wings, shoulder girdle, vertebrae, and hind limb An extinct sandgrouse
Miosurnia[5] M. diurna Linxia Basin of Gansu Province Upper part A nearly complete articulated bird skeleton, lacking the right forelimb and left manual digits A diurnal surniin bird that belongs to the owl family.
Mioneophron[6] M. longirostris Baihua Village, Zhuangheji Town, Guanghe County Upper part A nearly complete skeleton An extinct old-world vulture.
Orientornis[7][8] O. linxiaensis Yangwapuzijifang, Guanghe County Upper part An incomplete pelvis and synsacrum An extinct ostrich
Panraogallus P. hezhengensis Zhuangkeji Township, Gansu Province Upper part A skeleton A phasianid bird
Sinoergilornis S. guangheensis Langwagou Village, Zhuangkeji Town, Guanghe County Upper part A three-dimensionally preserved distal left tarsometatarsus and a nearly complete set of pedal phalanges An eogruid

Mammals

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Artiodactyla

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Genus Species County Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Chleuastochoerus[9] C. linxiaensis Yangwapuzi, Guanghe County Upper part The cranium of a male individual and a juvenile female A Hyotheriinae suidae.
C. stehlini Middle to Upper part Cranium skull and mandible
Dicrocerus D. sp.[10] Houshan locality, Guanghe County[10] Middle to Upper part. An ancient deer
Dorcadoryx D. sp. Baihuacun and Langwagou locality. Middle to Upper part. An early caprini relative.
Eostyloceros[11] E. hezhengensis Gaojiashan, Hezheng County Upper part An adult skull with its cranial appendages, lacking the muzzle, the left dentition, and the basioccipital part A large-sized muntjak
Euprox[12] E. furcatus Upper part An adult skull and pair of near-complete antlers. The largest known Eupox species ever discovered
Gazella[13] G. dorcadoides Houshan and Baihuacun locality, Guanghe County Upper part. Early relatives of gazelles.
G. gaudryi Middle to Upper part
G. paotehensis Multiple skulls.
Hezhengia H. bohlini Houshan, Bajia, Shuanggongbei, and Zhongmajia locality, Guanghe County Middle part A bovid
Honanotherium H. schlosseri Houshan locality, Guanghe County Middle part An ancient giraffid
Miotragocerus M. gregarius Houshan locality, Guanghe County Middle part An extinct antelope
Paleotragus P. microdon[10] Houshan locality, Guanghe County[10] Upper part An ancient giraffid
Protoryx P. sp.[10] Houshan locality, Guanghe County[10] Upper part An ancient bovid
Samotherium S. boissieri Houshan locality, Guanghe County Middle part A cranium skull. An ancient giraffid
Schansitherium S. tafeli Dashengou and Yangjiashan, Gansu County Upper part A cranium skull. A four-horned giraffid
Shaanxispira S. linxiaensis.[14] Panyang and Songjianao locality. Lower to Middle part A cranium skull. An ancient bovid
Sinotragus S. wimani[10] Songshugou locality, Guanghe County[10] Upper part An ancient bovid
Tsaidamotherium [15] T. brevirostrum Yancaiping locality, Hezheng County. Lower part. A cranium skull. An ovibovinid caprinae .
Urmiatherium[16] U. intermedium Huaigou village, Gansu province Upper part A male adult skull An early caprinae.

Carnivora

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Caniformia
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Genus Species County Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Melodon M. majori Middle part A musteloid
Parataxidea[10] P. sinensis[10] Houshan locality, Guanghe County[10] Upper part[10] A fossil skull with maxillary teeth. a badger-like mustelid
Promephitis P. hootoni Middle part A musteloid
P. sp.
Sinictis S. sp. Middle part A musteloid
Ursavus[10][17] U. tedfordi.[10] Huaigou village, Guanghe County[10] Upper part[10] A cranium skull in association with the mandible An early bear
Feliformia
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Genus Species County Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Amphimachairodus[10] A. giganteus[10] Houshan, Guanghe County[10] Upper part[10] to Middle part A homotheriine machairodontine felid.
A. hezhengensis[18] Upper part. A nearly complete cranium skull
Dinocrocuta D. gigantea Houshan locality, Guanghe County Middle part A complete cranium skull. A gigantic hyena
Felis[10] F. sp.[10] Guanghe County[10] Upper part[10] to Middle part A felid.
Hyaenictitherium[10] H. hyaenoides[10] Houshan locality, Guanghe County[10] Upper part to Middle part[10] A hyaenid
H. wongii[10]
Ictitherium[10] I. sp.[10] Guanghe County[10] Upper part[10] to Middle part A hyaenid
Metailurus[10] M. major[10] Guanghe County[10] Upper part[10] A metalurin felid.

Perissodactyla

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The Liushu formation displays a lineage of Elasmotheriine rhinoceros throughout its stratigraphy. Iranotherium is restricted to the middle part of the formation but remains absent in the overlying layers, the only Elasmotheriine that can be found in the upper layers is Sinotherium.

Chalicotheres
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Genus Species Locality Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Ancylotherium[19] A. sp.[10] Duikang locality, Guanghe County.[10] Lower part A juvenile cranium skull. A shizotheriine chalicothere
Nestoritherium N. linxiaense Houshan locality, Guanghe County Lower and Middle parts A skull without the occipital surface, right zygomatic arch, premaxilla, and anterior nasal bone A chalicothere
Equids
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Genus Species Locality Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Hipparion H. chiai[10] Guanghe County[10] Middle part An ancient horse
H. coelophyes Upper part
H. dongxiangense[14] Lower part
H. weihoensis Middle part
Rhinocerotids
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Genus Species Locality Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Acerorhinus A. hezhengensis Middle part Skulls based on sexual dimorphism A hornless rhino

Chilotherium

C. wimani

Zhongmajia, Guanghe County[10] Middle part Several skull specimens.

A tusked rhino

Chilotherium
Chilotherium

Iranotherium

I. morgani[2]

Guanghe County[2] Middle part Two skulls based on sexual dimorphism and an isolated mandible

An elasmotheriine with a unique sexual dimorphism, ancestral to Sinotherium

Ningxiatherium[20] N. euryrhinus. Guonigou in Nalesi Township, Dongxiang County

Lower part

A completely adult skull with both cheek tooth rows
Parelasmotherium P. linxiaense[14] Dongxiang County[14] Lower part A near complete skull A grazing elasmotheriine
P. simplum[14] Lower part

Sinotherium

S. lagrelii[10]

Guanghe County[10] Upper part

A partial skull

An elasmotheriine, ancestral to Elasmotherium. It displays the important transition from nose-horned to forehead-horned rhinos.

Rodents

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Genus Species County Member Material Notes Images
Huerzelerimys[21] H. asiaticus Niuzhawan, Sanhe Village, Hezheng County Upper part. A complete skull with a mandible and 5 cervical . An early murinae rodent.
Hystrix[22] H. brevirostra Maijiaji Village, Hezheng County. Upper part. A nearly complete skull. An early porcupine.
Pararhizomys P. hipparionum Middle part A rodent
P. parvulus[23] Xiayangwan, Guanghe County. Middle part An anterior part of a skull with two I2s, left M1‒3 and right M1‒2.

Proboscidea

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Genus Species Locality Member Material Notes Images
Tetralophodon T. exoletus Houshan locality, Guanghe County Middle part A gomphothere
Konobelodon[24] K. robustus Zhongmajia and Guonigou, Guanghe County Middle and Upper parts Multiple specimens comprising a skull, pelvis bone, and incomplete mandibles An amebelodont

Reptiles

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Genus Species Locality Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Eryx E. linxiaensis Shangwangjia Village, Gaunghe County Upper part A series of partially preserved cranial and post-cranial elements A sand boa

References

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  1. ^ "Vertebrata PalAsiatica, Vol. 42, 2004----Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences". english.ivpp.cas.cn. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  2. ^ a b c Deng, Tao (2005-06-27). "New discovery of Iranotherium morgani (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotidae) from the late Miocene of the Linxia Basin in Gansu, China, and its sexual dimorphism". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 25 (2): 442–450. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2005)025[0442:NDOIMP]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0272-4634. S2CID 85820005.
  3. ^ Zhang, Zihui & Xiaoting, Zheng & Zheng, Guangmei & Hou, Lianhai. (2010). A new Old World vulture (Falconiformes: Accipitridae) from the Miocene of Gansu Province, northwest China. Journal of Ornithology. 151. 401-408. 10.1007/s10336-009-0468-1.
  4. ^ a b c Li, Zhiheng; Stidham, Thomas A.; Deng, Tao; Zhou, Zhonghe (2020-03-31). "Evidence of Late Miocene Peri-Tibetan Aridification From the Oldest Asian Species of Sandgrouse (Aves: Pteroclidae)". Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 8: 59. doi:10.3389/fevo.2020.00059. ISSN 2296-701X.
  5. ^ Li, Z., Stidham, T.A., Zheng, X., Wang, Y., Zhao, T., Deng, T., & Zhou, Z. (2022). Early evolution of diurnal habits in owls (Aves, Strigiformes) documented by a new and exquisitely preserved Miocene owl fossil from China. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 119.
  6. ^ li, Zhiheng & Clarke, Julia & Zhou, Zhonghe & Deng, Tao. (2016). A new Old World vulture from the late Miocene of China sheds light on Neogene shifts in the past diversity and distribution of the Gypaetinae. The Auk. 133. 615-625. 10.1642/AUK-15-240.1.
  7. ^ Hou, L., Zhou, Z., Zhang, F. et al. A Miocene ostrich fossil from Gansu Province, northwest China. Chin.Sci.Bull. 50, 1808–1810 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1360/982005-575
  8. ^ Wang S. 2008. Rediscussion in the taxonomic assignment of Struthio linxiaensis Hou, et al., 2005. Acta Paleotologica Sinica 47:362–368.
  9. ^ Hou S, Deng T. A new species of Chleuastochoerus (Artiodactyla: Suidae) from the Linxia Basin, Gansu Province, China. Zootaxa. 2014 Oct 13;3872(5):401-39. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3872.5.1. PMID 25544095.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar Deng, Tao; Wang, ShiQi; Hou, SuKuan (2013-05-01). "A bizarre tandem-horned elasmothere rhino from the Late Miocene of northwestern China and origin of the true elasmothere". Chinese Science Bulletin. 58 (15): 1811–1817. Bibcode:2013ChSBu..58.1811D. doi:10.1007/s11434-012-5574-4. ISSN 1861-9541.
  11. ^ Deng, Tao, Wang, Shi-Qi, Shi, Qin-Qin, Li, Yi-Kun & Li, Yu, 2014, A new species of Eostyloceros (Cervidae, Artiodactyla) from the Late Miocene of the Linxia Basin in Gansu, China, Zootaxa 3893 (3), pp. 363-381
  12. ^ Hou, Sukuan. (2014). A new species of Euprox (Cervidae, Artiodactyla) from the upper Miocene of the Linxia Basin, Gansu Province, China, with interpretation of its paleoenvironment. Zootaxa. 3911. 43-62. 10.11646/zootaxa.3911.1.2.
  13. ^ Shi, Qinqin. (2023). Fossil bovids from the Linxia Basin of Gansu Province, China, and their implications for regional biostratigraphy, palaeogeography and palaeoecology. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 619. 111543. 10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111543.
  14. ^ a b c d e Deng, Tao (2007-06-12). "Skull of Parelasmotherium (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotidae) from the upper miocene in the Linxia Basin (Gansu, China)". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 27 (2): 467–475. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2007)27[467:SOPPRF]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0272-4634. S2CID 130213090.
  15. ^ SHI QinQin, "New species of Tsaidamotherium (Bovidae, Artiodactyla) from China sheds new light on the skull morphology and systematics of the genus." SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences 2014, Vol. 57 Issue (2): 258-266 DOI: 10.1007/s11430-013-4722-2
  16. ^ Shi, Qinqin & Wang, Shiqi & Chen, Shaokun & Li, Yi-kun & Palasiatica, Vertebrata. (2016). The first discovery of Urmiatherium (Bovidae, Artiodactyla) from Liushu Formation, Linxia Basin. Vertebrata Palasiatica.
  17. ^ QiuZ, X., Deng, T., & WangB, Y. (2014). A Late Miocene Ursavus skull from Guanghe, Gansu, China.
  18. ^ Jiangzuo Q, Werdelin L, Sanisidro O, Yang R, Fu J, Li S, Wang S, Deng T. Origin of adaptations to open environments and social behaviour in sabretoothed cats from the northeastern border of the Tibetan Plateau. Proc Biol Sci. 2023 Apr 26;290(1997):20230019. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0019. Epub 2023 Apr 19. PMID 37072045; PMCID: PMC10113030.
  19. ^ Chen, Shaokun & Deng, Tao & Pang, Li-Bo & He, Wen & Chen, Shan-Qin. (2012). A juvenile skull of Ancylotherium (Mammalia, Perissodactyla, Chalicotheriidae) from the Pliocene of China. Geobios. 45. 527-534. 10.1016/j.geobios.2012.06.002.
  20. ^ Deng, Tao. (2008). A new elasmothere (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotidae) from the Late Miocene of the Linxia Basin in Gansu, China. Geobios. 41. 719-728. 10.1016/j.geobios.2008.01.006.
  21. ^ Wang B Y, Qiu Z X, Li L Z, 2020. A Late Miocene Huerzelerimys (Rodentia: Muridae) skull from Hezheng, Gansu, China. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 58(2): 120–133
  22. ^ Wang B Y, Qiu Z X, 2020. New Hystrix (Hystricidae, Rodentia) from the Neogene of Linxia Basin, Gansu, China. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 58(3): 204–220
  23. ^ Wang B Y, 2022. A new species of Pararhizomys (Tachyoryctoidinae, Muroidea)from Linxia Basin of Gansu Province. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 60(4): 271–277
  24. ^ Wang, Shiqi & Shi, Qinqin & He, Wen & Chen, ShanQin & Yang, XiangWen. (2016). A new species of the tetralophodont amebelodontine Konobelodon Lambert, 1990 (Proboscidea, Mammalia) from the Late Miocene of China. Geodiversitas. 38. 65-97. 10.5252/g2016n1a4.