Dunhuangia fossil map
Where fossils of Dunhuangia have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 115 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 115 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Theropods |
|---|---|
| Lived | 121.4–113.2 million years ago (Aptian) |
| Periods | Cretaceous |
| Named by | Wang et al. 2015 |
| Fossil records | 1 occurrences at 1 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | China |
| Rock formations | Xiagou |
About Dunhuangia
Dunhuangia is a bird genus, belonging to the Enantiornithes, which during the Early Cretaceous lived in the area of present China.
In 2015, Wang Min, Li Daqing, Jingmai Kathleen O'Connor, Zhou Zhonghe and You Hailu named and described the type species Dunhuangia cuii. The generic name refers to the city of Dunhuang in Gansu province. The specific name honours preparator Cui Guihia.
The holotype, GSGM-05-CM-030, was found in the Changma Basin, in a layer of the Xiagou Formation dating from the Aptian. It consists of a partial skeleton lacking the skull. It contains the forelimbs, shoulder girdle and sternum. It is partly articulated.
Dunhuangia is a medium-sized enantiornithean.
The describing authors established some autapomorphies, unique derived traits. The rear edge of the sternum has a pair of large notches, equalling over half of the length of the entire element. The coracoid has a deep trough in the top, bordered on the outside by a thick ridge which forms the vertically low outer bone wall of the element.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Dunhuangia (revision 1282410354), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q30501137.
