Pronunciation: sheeng-SHAH-long
Meaning: Constellation dragon
Author/s: Wang et al. (2017)
Synonyms: None known
First Discovery: Yunnan, China
Discovery Chart Position: #944
Xingxiulong chengi
(Cheng's constellation dragon)Etymology
Xingxiulong is derived from the Chinese "Xingxiu" (for the ancient Xingxiu [constellation] Bridge in Lufeng County, which was built during the Ming Dynasty between 1368-1644) and "long" (dragon). The species epithet, chengi, honors Professor Zheng-Wu Cheng (1931-2015), for his lifetime contribution to Chinese terrestrial biostratigraphy, including the Lufeng Basin.
Discovery
The remains of Xingxiulong were discovered in the Shawan Member of the Lufeng Formation near Sankeshu (Three Trees) Village, Jinshan Town, Yunnan Province, southwestern China.The holotype (LFGT-D0002) is a partial skull and lower jaw, three neck vertebrae (possibly C7-C9), seven back vertebrae (possibly D8-D14), a complete sacrum, 35 tail vertebrae, fragments of ribs and chevrons, a partial hip, both thighs, both broken shins, the ends of both calfbones, a left ankle and heel, a complete left foot and an almost complete right foot. Of two paratypes, LFGT-D0003 is roughly the same size as the holotype, while LFGT-D0001 is 12-14% smaller and probably a juvenile judging by its unfused skull bones. The three specimens were buried together.
