Jurassic
Yangchuanosaurus
Yangchuanosaurus shangyouensis
The catalogue presents Yangchuanosaurus as a carnivore member of Metriacanthosauridae that lived during the Jurassic, between 163.5–157.3 Ma. Its estimated range is 8.0–10.5 m in length and 2.0–3.0 t in mass, giving a practical sense of scale. Reference material comes from Shangshaximiao Formation, Sichuan, China. Size and mass are approximations and may change with new fossils or methods.
Evidence-backed summary
For Yangchuanosaurus, the PBDB records the taxonomic attribution as Dong et al. (1978).
The PBDB places it in Metriacanthosauridae, and the catalogue record assigns it to the family Metriacanthosauridae.
- PBDB · taxon.parent
- Metriacanthosauridae
In the PBDB record, the reported stratigraphic range runs from the Bajocian to the Aptian.
The PBDB catalogues 2 occurrences, with material from the Shaximiao Formation (2). Provenance: China.
The catalogue records the holotype as CV 00215 and the type locality as “Shangshaximiao Formation, Sichuan, China”.
- CV 00215
- Shangshaximiao Formation, Sichuan, China
The catalogue's reference measurements are 8.0–10.5 m in length and 2.0–3.0 t in mass — estimates, which vary with specimen and method.
- 8.0-10.5 m
- 2.0-3.0 tons
The record gathers 26 bibliographic references registered in the PBDB, listed below.
Where it lived
Fossil occurrences on today’s map and in the tectonic reconstruction.
Positions reconstructed by PBDB/GPlates, not observed; this is not an exact habitat map.
Artistic 3D reconstruction
There is no approved species-specific 3D model yet. Generic anatomy will not be presented as if it were evidence.
Physical Specifications
- Length
- 8.0–10.5 m
- Weight
- 2.0–3.0 t
- Period
- Jurassic
- Time range
- 163.5–157.3 Ma
Discovery Information
- First Discovery
- 1978
- Described by
- Dong Zhiming
Taxonomic Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Saurischia
- Family
- Metriacanthosauridae
- Genus
- Yangchuanosaurus
- Species
- Y. shangyouensis
Data status
Taxonomic name matched to PBDB and checked on 2026-08-08.
Taxonomic linkage does not automatically validate size, mass, behaviour or appearance.
- Type specimen
- CV 00215
- Type locality
- Shangshaximiao Formation, Sichuan, China