Xianglong

China

Xianglong is a genus of gliding lizard that lived during the Cretaceous period. It is currently represented by a single described species, Xianglong zhaoi. The genus is known from a complete skeleton featuring skin impressions, identified as specimen LPM 000666.

The fossil was discovered in the Zhuanchengzi area near Yizhou in the Liaoning Province of China. It originates from the Barremian-aged Yixian Formation. The most notable characteristic of Xianglong is its oversized ribs, with eight on each side, which were attached to a membrane called a patagium. This structure allowed the lizard to glide in a manner similar to modern Draco lizards.

Sources

  1. Xianglong