Type Geological formation Underlies Fuxin Formation Region Liaoning | Unit of Jehol Group Country China Overlies Yixian Formation | |
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Sub-units Shangheshou Bed, Meileyingzi Bed | ||
The Jiufotang Formation (Chinese: 九佛堂组, pinyin: jiǔfótáng zǔ) is an Early Cretaceous geological formation in Chaoyang, Liaoning which has yielded fossils of feathered dinosaurs, primitive birds, pterosaurs, and other organisms (see Jehol Biota). It is a member of the Jehol group. The exact age of the Jiufotang has been debated for years, with estimates ranging from the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous. He et al. (2004) used argon - isotope radiometry to confirm biostratigraphic age estimates. They confirmed an Early Cretaceous, Aptian age for the Jiufotang Formation, 120.3 +/-0.7 million years ago. Fossils of Microraptor and Jeholornis are from the Jiufotang.
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Mammals
Several mammal specimens have been found from the Jiufotang, but only one has been formally described and named.
Saurischians
An unnamed species of titanosaur is also present in the formation.