Chungkingosaurus

Skeleton of Chungkingosaurus

• China (Sichuan )

• C. jiangbeiensis Dong, Zhou & Zhang, 1983

Chungkingosaurus was a dinosaur genus from the group of Stegosauria. It was one of the smallest and most primitive members of this group.

Features

Chungkingosaurus reached an estimated length of 3 to 4 meters. He was like all Stegosaurus characterized by a double row of bony structures ( osteoderms ) along the back and tail, whose function ( thermoregulation, mating behavior, enemy defenses, or a combination of these tasks ) is not finally resolved. The osteoderms over the neck and trunk were large, thin and plate-like, but towards the tail were gradually replaced by spines. At the tip of the tail were four pairs of long, pointed spines. The high muzzle and the comparatively long front legs as well as details in the construction of the pelvis and thigh signs of the primitive position of this stegosaur. Like all members of this group had Chungkingosaurus small, adapted to plant food teeth.

Discovery and designation

Fossils of Chungkingosaurus was discovered in the Shaximiao formation in the Chinese province of Sichuan and 1983 described by Dong, Zhou and Zhang scientifically. The name derives from the city Chungking (Chongqing), then capital of Sichuan. There are several partially preserved skeletons, including parts of the skull found. They are in the Upper Jurassic ( Oxfordian ) and dated to an age of about 163-157 million years.

System

Chungkingosaurus reveals some similarities to primitive Stegosaurus Huayangosaurus that was found in the same region. Considered together with Dacentrurus as one of the representatives of the basal Stegosauridae, which are compared with the more developed Stegosaurinae (see Nomenclature of Stegosauria ).