Xinjiangovenator: Profile of a Prehistoric Hunter Xinjiangovenator Xinjiangovenator (SHIN-jyahng-oh-VEN-ah-tor; “Xinjiang hunter”) is a genus of theropod dinosaur that roamed what is now northwestern China during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 140 to 120 million years ago. The name refers to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region where its fossils were discovered and the Latin word “venator,” […]
Xinjiangtitan: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Xinjiangtitan Xinjiangtitan (SHIN-jee-ahng-TY-tan; “Xinjiang giant”) is a genus of very large mamenchisaurid sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic period, about 165 to 164 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in the Shishugou Formation in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of northwestern China. The name Xinjiangtitan refers to
Xiongguanlong Xiongguanlong (SHONG-gwahn-long; “Grand Pass dragon”) Xiongguanlong baimoensis is a genus of tyrannosauroid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 to 100 million years ago (Aptian-Albian stages), in what is now Gansu Province, China. The name Xiongguanlong (“shong-GWAN-long”) refers to the historic Xiongguan Pass, part of the Jiayuguan Pass near the
Xixianykus: Profile of a Tiny, Swift-Running Dinosaur Xixianykus Xixianykus (SHEE-shyah-NYE-kus; “Xixia claw”) is a genus of very small alvarezsaurid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 89 to 83 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in the Majiacun Formation in Xixia County, Henan Province, China. The name Xixianykus comes from Xixia
Xixiasaurus: Profile of a Bird-like Theropod from China Xixiasaurus Xixiasaurus (SHEE-shyah-SAWR-us; “Xixia lizard”) is a genus of troodontid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, specifically during the Campanian stage, around 83 to 72 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in the Majiacun Formation in Xixia County, Henan Province, China. The name
Xiyunykus: Profile of an Early Clawed Theropod Xiyunykus Xiyunykus (Shee-yoo-NEE-kuss; “Claw from the Western Regions”) is a genus of alvarezsaurian theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 126 to 120 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in the Tugulu Group of the Junggar Basin in Xinjiang, northwestern China. The name Xiyunykus
Xuanhanosaurus Xuanhanosaurus (shwen-HAHN-oh-SAWR-us; “Xuanhan lizard”) is a genus of theropod dinosaur that roamed the lands of present-day China during the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 168 to 165 million years ago. Its name refers to Xuanhan County in Sichuan Province, where its fossils were first discovered. Xuanhanosaurus was scientifically described in 1984 by Chinese paleontologist Dong
Xuanhuaceratops: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Xuanhuaceratops Xuanhuaceratops (ZHWAN-hwah-SEH-rah-tops; “Xuanhua horned face”) is a genus of small, early ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 160 to 154 million years ago, in what is now Hebei Province, China. The name refers to the Xuanhua District where its fossils were discovered, combined with
Xuwulong: Profile of an Early Cretaceous Herbivore Xuwulong Xuwulong (SHOO-woo-long; “Xu Wu’s dragon”) is a genus of hadrosauroid ornithopod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 to 113 million years ago (Aptian-Albian stages), in what is now northwestern China. The generic name honors Professor Xu Wu for his significant contributions to geological
Yamaceratops: Profile of an Early Horned Dinosaur Yamaceratops Yamaceratops (YAH-mah-SEH-rah-tops; “Yama’s horned face”) is a genus of small neoceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 86 to 72 million years ago, in what is now Mongolia. The name refers to Yama, a Tibetan Buddhist deity, and the Greek words “keras” (horn) and
