The Tangbian Formation is a geological formation in Jiangxi Province, east China. While its absolute age is uncertain, it has been estimated to represent Late Cretaceous (Campanian) sediments. Dinosaur bones and eggs are among the fossils recovered from the formation.

Tangbian Formation
Stratigraphic range: Late Cretaceous, Campanian
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofGuifeng Group
UnderliesLianhe Formation
OverliesHekou Formation
Thickness240–3,060 m (790–10,040 ft)
Lithology
Primarypurplish red sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone
Location
Coordinates26°9′N 116°4′E / 26.150°N 116.067°E / 26.150; 116.067
RegionJiangxi Province
Country China
Tangbian Formation is located in China
Tangbian Formation
Tangbian Formation (China)

Geology and paleoenvironment

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The Tangbian Formation is known from outcrops in the Xinjiang Basin of Jiangxi Province, southeastern China. It is part of the Late Cretaceous Guifeng Group, underlain by the Hekou Formation and overlain by the Lianhe Formation in that group. The formation likely represents Campanian sediments, although absolute dates have not been obtained.[1] The formation primarily comprises thick beds of fine-grained red-purple sandstone interbedded with mudstone, calcareous sandstone, and siltstone. The Tangbian Formation was deposited in an aeolian (wind-driven) setting representing a desert environment.[2][3]

Fossil content

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The Tangbian Formation contains a rich record of dinosaur egg fossils and embryos. Most of the known egg clutches can be associated with oviraptorosaurs, although rarer egg fossils are known from hadrosaurs, troodontids, and possibly dromaeosaurids.[4][5]

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.

Dinosaurs

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Genus Species Region Material Notes Images

Huaxiazhoulong[6]

H. shouwen

Longxi Village, Guangchang County

Partial well-preserved skeleton

An ankylosaurid ankylosaur

 

Ootaxa

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Genus Species Region Material Notes Images

Minioolithus[4]

H. ganzhouensis

Meilin Village, Ganxian District

Clutch of six eggs

Classified as belonging to the Ovaloolithidae, likely laid by a theropod dinosaur

References

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  1. ^ Xi, Dangpeng; Wan, Xiaoqiao; Li, Guobiao; Li, Gang (2019). "Cretaceous integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China". Science China Earth Sciences. 62 (1): 256–286. doi:10.1007/s11430-017-9262-y. ISSN 1674-7313.
  2. ^ Jiang, Xinsheng; Pan, Zhongxi; Xu, Jinsha; Li, Xiaoyong; Xie, Guogang; Xiao, Zhijian (2008). "Late Cretaceous aeolian dunes and reconstruction of palaeo-wind belts of the Xinjiang Basin, Jiangxi Province, China". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 257 (1–2): 58–66. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2007.09.012.
  3. ^ Zhang, Shouxin, ed. (2009), "Tangbian Formation (塘边组)", Geological Formation Names of China (1866–2000), Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, pp. 1075–1075, doi:10.1007/978-3-540-93824-8_7612, ISBN 978-3-540-93824-8 {{citation}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  4. ^ a b Wu, Rui; Lou, Fasheng; Yu, Juan; Xue, Yu; Zhang, Shukang; Yang, Ling; Qiu, Wenjiang; Wang, Huimin; Han, Fenglu (2024-10-14). "The smallest known complete dinosaur fossil eggs from the Upper Cretaceous of South China". Historical Biology: 1–10. doi:10.1080/08912963.2024.2409873. ISSN 0891-2963.
  5. ^ Yu, Cheng-Tao; Fan, Xiu-Jun (2022). "赣州盆地梅林—茅店恐龙蛋化石产地分布及赋存地层特征" [Distribution of Dinosaur Egg Fossils and Occurrence Stratigraphic Characteristics of Meilin—Maodian,Ganzhou Basin]. Journal of Hebei GEO University (in Chinese). 45 (4): 6–12.
  6. ^ Zhu, Ziheng; Wu, Jie; You, Yue; Jia, Yingli; Chen, Chujiao; Yao, Xi; Zheng, Wenjie; Xu, Xing (2024-11-08). "A new ankylosaurid dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of Jiangxi Province, southern China". Historical Biology: 1–17. doi:10.1080/08912963.2024.2417208. ISSN 0891-2963.