LoYang Zhongyuan Long is the first known fossil of nodule-bearing dragons in Asia, and it is currently the only confirmed large nodule-bearing dragon fossil discovered in China.

LoYang Zhongyuan Long Reconstruction Diagram

What kind of dinosaur is LoYang Zhongyuan Long?

Many dinosaur names are based on the location where they were discovered, such as the huge sauropod dinosaurs – Argentine Long (named by the country), and the dinosaurs discovered in Zhezhen – Zhezhen Long, and Zhezhen Chinese Ceratopsian. There are also some names based on dinosaur characteristics, such as Stegosaurus (the forelimbs resemble a knife), and Ankylosaurus (with sharp horns like cattle). Obviously, the name LoYang Zhongyuan Long is based on its discovery location, and it is not only one location, you can know from the name that this dinosaur’s discovery is of great significance.

Why is it said so?

For example, when Argentine Long was discovered, it was the largest dinosaur at that time, so it could be directly named after the country name. It is impossible for Argentina to have another dinosaur named after itself. LoYang Zhongyuan Long also has great value, it was discovered in Zhongyuan region, which is the only confirmed large nodule-bearing dragon fossil discovered in China, before its discovery, many experts believed that China did not have nodule-bearing dragon fossils.

What are nodule-bearing dragons? (Are you kids puzzled???) Simply put, the Ceratopsian group includes two groups, one group has a head wider than long, with a developed tail hammer at the tail end (Ceratopsian is a typical representative of Ceratopsian), and the other group has a head longer than wide, without a tail hammer at the tail end (LoYang Zhongyuan Long belongs to this group). See the picture below to understand.

Left: Ceratopsian group (Big Face Ceratopsian); Right: Nodule-bearing Ceratopsian group (Denton Ceratopsian)

'Yu Jian' LoYang Zhongyuan Long

The fossil of LoYang Zhongyuan Long was discovered in the Liu Di Town, Yu Yang County, Loyang City, Henan Province, Upper East Group layer. The fossil is overall well-preserved, and the specimens unearthed include almost a complete skull, part of the cervical vertebrae, caudal vertebrae, dorsal vertebrae, a complete humerus, pelvic bone, ischium, pubis, ribs and a large number of plates. It presents typical nodule-bearing dragon features with a head longer than wide and a tail hammer-free tail end.

LoYang Zhongyuan Long Dorsal View (Left); Ventral View (Right)

LoYang Zhongyuan Long Femur (A, B), Plate (C) and Tail Vertebra (D) Fossils

After being assembled and restored, LoYang Zhongyuan Long is 5.6m long, which is the largest confirmed nodule-bearing dragon fossil discovered in China. You can see LoYang Zhongyuan Long in the Henan Provincial Geological Museum.

LoYang Zhongyuan Long Assembled and Restored Diagram

LoYang Zhongyuan Long lived 18.5 million years ago in the early Late Cretaceous. Its discovery has important significance for studying the paleo-geographical distribution and evolution of Ceratopsians, especially nodule-bearing dragons.

Armored 'Tank' – Ceratopsian

Ceratopsian, as the name suggests, is a herbivorous dinosaur with a 'armored' body. The body length is generally 5-6 meters, the body is heavy and clumsy, and it can only crawl slowly on four limbs, like a slow-moving armored vehicle, so it is called 'armored dragon'. Besides the whole plate, there are also longitudinal bone plate strips on the back and side of the body for defense. The tail of Ceratopsian has a tail hammer, which may also be used for defense against meat-eating dinosaurs. Although scientists analyzed that the tail joint is fragile and the tail hammer can hardly play a role in attacking enemies, it still has a certain effect in driving away small meat-eating dinosaurs or fighting between the same species, because there exists is a reason.

Ceratopsian's 'Dragon Tail' Defense

Ceratopsian is a four-footed, herbivorous dinosaur. Besides Africa, it has been found on all continents. Ceratopsian is a relatively late-appearing group in the dinosaur family. It didn’t rise to prominence until the end of the Cretaceous period. However, at that time there were many large meat-eating dinosaurs, if they faced a large meat-eating dinosaur like Tyrannosaurus Rex, ‘Dragon Tail’ would not be effective. The ‘armored’ like crocodile skin on its body would become a problem under the sharp teeth of large meat-eating dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Love Magic Circle

So, the best defense is to attack, rather than being passively beaten, you should practice 'Dragon Tail' first.

LoYang Zhongyuan Long Knowledge Card:

Text/Layout: Geo-Paleo Interest

Images: Network (deleted)