Named By: | X. He, C. Wang, S. Liu, F. Zhou, T. Liu, K. Cai & B. Dai in 1998 |
Time Period: | Early Jurassic 183-174 Ma |
Location: | China, Sichuan Province - Ziliujing Formation, Dongyuemiao Member |
Size: | Roughly about 14 meters long |
Diet: | Herbivore |
Fossil(s): | Partial skull and post cranial skeletal remains of at last 4 individuals |
Classification: | | Chordata | Reptilia | Dinosauria | Saurischia | Sauropoda | |
Gongxianosaurus is a genus of basal sauropod dinosaur from the early Jurassic Period (Toarcian stage). The only species is Gongxianosaurus shibeiensis. Based on four fragmentary to complete specimens found in China (Sichuan Province), it is one of the most completely known early sauropods. The skeleton is known in large part, missing both the hand and the majority of the skull. Gongxianosaurus was firstly named and described in a short note published in 1998; however, a comprehensive description has yet to be published. Gongxianosaurus shibeiensis was named for the place it was found, near the village Shibei in Gong County (Gong Xian ; Pinyin: Gong Xian).