Shunosaurus

Shu lizard

• Shu · Chinese · ancient name for the Sichuan region (Shu kingdom)
• sauros · Greek · lizard

The name combines "Shu", an old name for the Sichuan region of China where the fossils were found, with the Greek "sauros" meaning lizard. It therefore means "Shu lizard", referring to its home region. Shunosaurus was a medium-sized sauropod notable for having a small club at the end of its tail.

Named by

Dong, Zhou and Zhang

Year named

1983

Period

Middle Jurassic

Stages

Bathonian – Callovian

Found in

Lower Shaximiao Formation, Sichuan, China

Type species Shunosaurus lii. Known from many well-preserved specimens, including complete skulls.