A new iguanodontid (Jinzhousaurus yangi gen. et sp. Nov.) from the Yixian formation of Western Liaoning, China

Abstract

A new iguanodontid, Jinzhousaurus yangi gen. et sp. nov., is erected based on the cranial and dental morphology of a specimen from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning. Although a few primitive characteristics remain, Jinzhousaurus yangi display a number of characteristics similar to those seen in derived iguanodontids. Other interesting characteristics include the absence of antorbital fenestra and the frontal excluded from the participation in orbit, which are closer to the condition in hadrosaurids. The unusual combination of the characteristics provides important data for assessing morphological evolution toward hadrosaurs. The new discovery also represents the first reported large-sized dinosaur from Jehol fauna in western Liaoning, and increases the diversity of this famous fauna. Furthermore, the discovery of a derived iguanodontid from the Yixian Formation provides further evidence supporting a Cretaceous age of the Jehol fauna, which is consistent with an isotopic age.