Zhiluo Formation

The Zhiluo Formation is a geological formation in China, it is also alternatively considered a geological group under the name Zhiluo Group (formerly known as the Chiloo Group). It dates to the Middle Jurassic. It consists of sandstone, mudstone and siltstone of varying colours. It has received scientific attention for its uranium ore bodies present in the lower part of the formation.^[1] Fossil theropod tracks have been reported from the formation.^[2] These were described from two footprints found in Jiaoping Coal Mine by C. C. Young in 1966 as Shensipus tungchuanensis. These were in 2015 suggested to belong to Anomoepus.^[3] The dicraeosaurid sauropod dinosaur Lingwulong is known from the formation, previously having been erroneously attributed to the underlying Yanan Formation.^[4]

Zhiluo Formation
Stratigraphic range: Middle to Late Jurassic, Bathonian–Oxfordian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Type	Geological formation
Sub-units	Lower, Upper units
Underlies	Lower Cretaceous Dongsheng Formation
Overlies	Yanan Formation
Thickness	100-200 metres
Lithology
Primary	Sandstone, siltstone mudstone
Location
Region	Shaanxi
Country	China
Extent	Ordos Basin

Fossil content

Color key Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon		Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Dinosaurs

Sauropods

Sauropods of the Zhiluo Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Lingwulong[5]	L. shenqi				A dicraeosaurid sauropod

Insects

Insects of the Zhiluo Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Orthophlebia	O. quadrimacula				A orthophlebiid scorpionfly

See also

• Earth sciences portal
• Paleontology portal
• Dinosaurs portal

• List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations
  • List of stratigraphic units with theropod tracks