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Acta Palaeontologica Polonica

Published by: Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences

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Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 55(3):381-388. 2010
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4202/app.2009.0047

A New Troodontid Theropod from the Late Cretaceous of Central China, and the Radiation of Asian Troodontids

Junchang Lü, Li Xu, Yongqing Liu, Xingliao Zhang, Songhai Jia and Qiang Ji

Junchang Lü [Lujc2008@126.com], Yongqing Liu [liu_cags@126.com], and Qiang Ji [jirod@cags.net.cn], Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China

Li Xu [zhzhxuli@sina.com], Xingliao Zhang [zhxliao@sina.com], and Songhai Jia [jiasonghai@163.com], Henan Geological Museum, Zhengzhou 450016, Henan Province, China.

A new troodontid dinosaur, Xixiasaurus henanensis gen. et sp. nov., from the Upper Cretaceous Majiacun Formation of the Xixia Basin, Henan Province, is erected, based on a partial skull. It is characterized by bearing 22 maxillary teeth, a distinct opening on the lateral surface of the base of nasal process of the premaxilla, the rostral end of the upper jaw forming a tapered U-shape, and the mandibular symphyseal region slightly inflected medially. Xixiasaurus is most closely related to the Mongolian Byronosaurus among troodontids. Byronosaurus, Urbacodon, and Xixiasaurus may form a new clade, suggesting an endemic radiation of troodontids across Asia, including multiple taxa without dental serrations. The discovery of Xixiasaurus in the Xixia Basin may imply that the Xixiasaurus-bearing Majiacun Formation is Campanian in age.

Received: March 27, 2009; Accepted: February 17, 2010

Keywords: Theropoda, Troodontidae, Xixiasaurus, Late Cretaceous, Henan Province, China

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