Xianglong zhaoi (Li et al. 2007) Yixian Formation, Early Cretaceous, 15.5 cm in length was originally considered an agamid lizard with elongated transverse processes and hyperelongated ribs, like the extant Draco volans. However Xianglong has a suite of traits shared with Kuehneosaurus and Icarosaurus. Not a lizard, Xianglong was a kuehneosaur that survived into the Cretaceous.
Distinct from Icarosaurus, the skull of Xianglong had a larger lacrimal and a more robust jugal and postorbital.
The anterior cervicals were taller. The fused ribs were relatively shorter. As in Icarosaurus, posterior ribs did not carry pseudoribs. Like Kuehneosaurus, the tail was very long.
The forelimb was relatively short, especially in the forearm. The carpus was not ossified, a trait shared with Kuehneosaurus. Metacarpal 2 was reduced relative to mc3.
The hind limbs were gracile, as in Kuehneosaurus. Metatarsal 2 was longer than mt 3 which was longer than mt 4. |
