In which geological formation were the remains of *Xiaotingia zhengi* recovered?
The Tiaojishan Formation
The fossil remains of *Xiaotingia zhengi*, the type species, were specifically recovered from the Tiaojishan Formation in China's Liaoning Province. This formation is globally recognized for its ability to preserve feathered dinosaurs and early birds in exceptional detail, often including soft tissues. The Tiaojishan Formation is noted for providing a geological context that allowed for a remarkably quiet depositional environment, leading to superior fossilization quality. While the Daohugou Beds are mentioned as a component within this formation, the primary geological layer designated for the recovery of the remains is the Tiaojishan Formation itself, differentiating it from formations like the Solnhofen Limestone, which yielded *Archaeopteryx*.
