Pronunciation:
Meaning: Pulao lizard
Author/s: Yang et al. (2025)
Synonyms: None known
First Discovery: Hebei Province, China
Discovery Chart Position: #1175
Pulaosaurus qinglong
(Pulao Lizard of Qinglong)Etymology
Pulaosaurus is derived from "Pulao" (a mythical creature resembling the Chinese dragon) and the Greek "sauros" (lizard). According to Chinese legends, the "Pulao" engages in loud shouting, thus referencing the possible bird-like vocalizations of Pulaosaurus.The species epithet, qinglong, refers to Qinglong county in Hebei Province, where the specimen was found. ZooBank registry: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F4F321C8-5C07-400E-A70E-FF2045FDFFE8.
Discovery
The remains of Pulaosaurus were discovered in the Tiaojishan Formation, southern Shimen Gou, Qinglong County, Hebei Province, China, by Mr. Yong Wang.
The holotype (IVPP V30936) is the almost complete skeleton of an immature individual, including most of the skull and bones that don't often fossilise, such as a horshoe-shaped throat bone that aids with tongue movement (the hyoid), a voicebox (larynx) and traces of stomach contents (cololites).
