About Yangchuanosaurus
| Scientific Name (Genus) | Yangchuanosaurus |
| Meaning of Name |
Yongchuan lizard
Yangchuan (place name) - saurus (lizard) [Greek] |
| Classification | Saurischia, Theropoda (Allosauroidea, Metriacanthosauridae) |
| Total Length | Approx. 8m |
| Diet | Carnivorous |
| Period | Mid-Jurassic (approx. 168-163.5 million years ago) |
| Species |
Yangchuanosaurus shangyouensis
Yangchuanosaurus magnus |
| Year of Paper Publication | 1978 |
| Genus Name Publication |
A new carnosaur from Yongchuan County, Sichuan Province.
Ke Xue Tong Bao. 23. by Dong Zhiming & Zhang Yihong, Li Xuanmin, and Zhou Shiwu. 1978. |
Characteristics: The Apex Predator of Jurassic China
Yangchuanosaurus was a large carnivorous dinosaur that lived in Sichuan Province, China, from the Middle to Late Jurassic period (approximately 168 to 163.5 million years ago). Several well-preserved complete skeletons have been found, revealing that it reigned as the apex predator of the Asian ecosystem at the time.
Head Ornaments
The skull of Yangchuanosaurus featured a rugged, low crest on its snout and a pair of small horns in front of its eyes (lacrimal horns) , very similar to those of Allosaurus. These ornaments are thought to have been used for display, to identify members of its own species, or to attract mates.
Ruler of a "Dinosaur Paradise"
The geological formation in Sichuan Province where Yangchuanosaurus fossils were found (the Dashanpu Formation) was a "dinosaur paradise" of its time, inhabited by a very diverse range of dinosaurs. Yangchuanosaurus likely preyed on dinosaurs such as:
- Stegosaurs: Tuojiangosaurus, Chungkingosaurus
- Sauropods: Shunosaurus, Mamenchisaurus, Omeisaurus
A giant species ( Y. magnus ), reaching over 10 meters in length, has also been discovered, indicating the significant role it played in the ecosystem of its time.
Yangchuanosaurus Stamp & Fossil Gallery
