Nankangia: Research Database
Oviraptorosauria (Theropoda) · Late Cretaceous (~72 MYA) · Asia — China (Jiangxi)
Research Note: Nankangia was an oviraptorosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Jiangxi, China — an important taxon for understanding oviraptorosaur diversity and evolution in East Asia.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Lü et al. 2013: Nankangia and new data on oviraptorosaur diversity from the Cretaceous of China
Lü et al. 2013 provide comprehensive data on Nankangia from the Late Cretaceous of Jiangxi, establishing it as an oviraptorosaur and documenting oviraptorosaur diversity in the Cretaceous of East Asia
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Confirmed | A | 2013 | Fossil | Lü et al., PLoS ONE | Diversity |
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Jin et al. 2019: Nankangia and additional data on oviraptorosaur paleobiology
Jin et al. 2019 provide additional data on Nankangia and oviraptorosaur paleobiology, further contextualising its significance within Oviraptorosauria
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Confirmed | B | 2019 | Fossil | Jin et al., Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology | Paleobiology |
Active Debate: Oviraptorosaur Evolution in Asia
Whether Nankangia is basal to other oviraptorosaurs is debated. The evolution of oviraptorosaurs in the Cretaceous of East Asia — and their relationships — is key to understanding theropod history.
What We Still Do Not Know About Nankangia
- Complete skeletal morphology: Partial specimen known.
- Diet: Likely omnivore.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
- Relationships: Partially understood.
In Depth
Nankangia is a genus of oviraptorid dinosaur that lived in China during the late Cretaceous. Although only known from partial remains, Nankangia has been speculated to have been more inclined to eating plants because the jaw symphysis is not downturned. However the exact diet for Nankangia, like with many other oviraptorid genera is not known with certainty.
Nankangia is one of many oviraptorid dinosaurs that are known from the Nanxiong Formation, with other genera including Jiangxisaurus, Banji, Ganzhousaurus, and Huanansaurus. One of the more dangerous dinosaurs in the same ecosystem as Nankangia is the tyrannosaur Qianzhousaurus.
Further Reading
- A new oviraptorosaur (Dinosauria: Oviraptorosauria) from the Late Cretaceous of Southern China and its palaeoecological implications. - PLoS One 8(11):e80557. - J. Lu, L. Yi, H. Zhong & X. Wei - 2013.
