Sauroplites
Encyclopedia
Sauroplites is a genus
of ankylosaurid dinosaur
from the Early Cretaceous
. The type species
, Sauroplites scutiger, was formally described by Bohlin in 1953, but is often considered a nomen dubium
because it is based on fragmentary material. Sauroplites lived in what is now Gansu
, China
, during the Barremian
to Aptian
stages
. Some believe it may actually be a specimen of another ankylosaur, Shamosaurus
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of ankylosaurid dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of...
from the Early Cretaceous
Cretaceous
The Cretaceous , derived from the Latin "creta" , usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago. In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...
. The type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
, Sauroplites scutiger, was formally described by Bohlin in 1953, but is often considered a nomen dubium
Nomen dubium
In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application...
because it is based on fragmentary material. Sauroplites lived in what is now Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, during the Barremian
Barremian
The Barremian is an age in the geologic timescale between 130.0 ± 1.5 Ma and 125.0 ± 1.0 Ma). It is a subdivision of the Early Cretaceous epoch...
to Aptian
Aptian
The Aptian is an age in the geologic timescale or a stage in the stratigraphic column. It is a subdivision of the Early or Lower Cretaceous epoch or series and encompasses the time from 125.0 ± 1.0 Ma to 112.0 ± 1.0 Ma , approximately...
stages
Faunal stage
In chronostratigraphy, a stage is a succession of rock strata laid down in a single age on the geologic timescale, which usually represents millions of years of deposition. A given stage of rock and the corresponding age of time will by convention have the same name, and the same boundaries.Rock...
. Some believe it may actually be a specimen of another ankylosaur, Shamosaurus
Shamosaurus
Shamosaurus is an extinct genus of basal ankylosaurid ankylosaur from Early Cretaceous deposits of Höövör, Mongolia. Shamosaurus is known from the holotype PIN N 3779/2 complete skull and jaw and the paratypes include partial skeleton remains and an armor. It was collected from the...
.
External links
- Sauroplites in The Dinosaur Encyclopaedia at Dino Russ's Lair
- Ankylosauria at Thescelosaurus!