What type of environment characterized the Sichuan Basin where *Xiaosaurus* thrived?
Answer
Warm, intracratonic basin with dense vegetation
The Sichuan Basin, where *Xiaosaurus* lived, is described as an intracratonic basin, meaning it was a large depression within the continent's interior, likely experiencing a relatively stable and humid climate compared to more arid inland zones. The environment was warm and characterized by dense vegetation, including ferns and cycads. This setting was ideal for a small, one-meter-long animal with beak-like structures and leaf-shaped cheek teeth, as it suggested the availability of lush, well-watered habitat and the necessary low-lying vegetation for cropping.
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