Nanxiong Formation

Nanxiong Formation
Nanxiong Formation as it appears in the fourth segment of Forests
Location
Supercontinent	Laurasia
Continent	Asia
Country	China
Unit of	Nanxiong Group
Region	Guangdong Province
Temporal Range	67 - 66 million years ago, Maastrichtian Stage, Late Cretaceous Period
Episodes	Forests (Segment 4)
Characteristics
Climate	Arid, Temperate
Environment	Forest

“ This is east Asia. In these mountain forests, autumn arrives early. This is when many trees produce their fruit, and amongst the most highly-prized are the nuts of the gingko tree. ”

― David Attenborough, Forests

The Nanxiong Formation (also known as Yuanpu Formation) is a formation located in the Guangdong Province of southern China that is approximately 67 - 66 million years old.

Paleoenvironment

Very little is known about the Nanxiong Formation, with there being almost no data regarding the plant life of Late Cretaceous China, though Prehistoric Planet manages to show off a proper depiction in the form of temperate, deciduous mountain forests.

“ As the seasonal winds strengthen, many of the trees in these temperate forests start to lose their leaves. Winter will be a time of hardship. Nevertheless, a storm does create a brief opportunity for hunters. ”

― David Attenborough, Forests

Oviraptorids are mostly found in arid environments, and are thus believed to have fed mostly on xerophytic (drought-resistant) plants. Given how there are seven species present in the Nanxiong Formation (including Corythoraptor), it is possible that, despite the presence of forests, the region was still very much an arid or semi-arid one. Even so, the place can still be subject to harsh winters, which could justify why, just as depicted on Prehistoric Planet, some dinosaurs in the area may have retained a coat of feathers to some extent in order to fend off the cold.

Appearance

The Nanxiong Formation serves as the setting of the fifth segment of Forests, focusing on a Qianzhousaurus trying to hunt Corythoraptors during autumn, just before winter sets in.

Paleofauna

Corythoraptor jacobsi

Qianzhousaurus sinensis