What location does the specific epithet *baimoutunensis* reference?
Answer
Baimoutun quarry area in western Liaoning Province, China
The specific name attached to the species, *baimoutunensis*, directly links the dinosaur to the geographical context of its discovery. This epithet refers specifically to the Baimoutun quarry area, which is situated in western Liaoning Province in China. This region is recognized as being exceptionally rich in Mesozoic fossils, providing the context for where the original remains of this important early tyrannosauroid were found. The genus name, *Xiongguanlong*, refers to the Xiongguan Pass location, but *baimoutunensis* pinpoints the precise quarry area.
Related Questions
When did *Xiongguanlong* inhabit the Earth compared to *T. rex*?What was the estimated total length of *Xiongguanlong* based on skeletal reconstruction?What location does the specific epithet *baimoutunensis* reference?What is the most defining characteristic of *Xiongguanlong*'s skull morphology?Which family groups *Xiongguanlong* with *Guanlong* and *Proceratosaurus*?To which geologic formation do the rock layers containing *Xiongguanlong* date?What key skeletal features of *Xiongguanlong* allow tracking of later tyrannosauroid evolution?Who were the paleontologists involved in the formal description of *Xiongguanlong* in 2010?What predatory niche did *Xiongguanlong* occupy relative to other contemporary Jurassic predators?What is the rough translation of the genus name *Xiongguanlong*?How does the cranial architecture of *Xiongguanlong* suggest a different predatory strategy than *T. rex*?