Yixian Formation

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The Yixian Formation is a geological formation in Liaoning, People's Republic of China, that stems from the early Cretaceous period. It is known for its fossils. It was initially recognized during the time the Japanese Empire controlled a large chunk of Manchuria (Northern China) called "Jehol". During the occupation of Jehol, many Japanese scientists have noticed fossil remains of extinct fish and reptiles, possibly the champsosaurs. These initial fossil discoveries made by Japanese scientists vanished from history once World War II ended in 1945. By 1949, when China fell into the hands of the Chinese and its leader Mao Tse-Tung, the fossils of Yixian were studied only by Chinese scientists. It was not until the 1990s when remarkable fossils of birds and dinosaurs were excavated. Since 1996, a number of dinosaur fossils that have revolutionized our knowledge of these animals have been found at Yixian; among them are the first known non-birds with feathers.

Fossils found at Yixian include:

Dinosaurs

Birds

Mammals

Reptiles

Pterosaurs
Others

Amphibians

  • Jeholotriton, a gilled salamander
  • Callobatrachus, a frog

Fish

  • Peipiaosteus, a fish related to sturgeons
  • Lycoptera, herring-like fish
  • Sinamia

Insects and other Arthropods

Plants

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