[Explanation] The reporter learned from a press conference held by the Fujian Provincial Government Information Office on January 12 that a large-scale Late Cretaceous dinosaur footprint group was discovered on the west side of Longxiang, Chengnan Community, Lincheng Town, Shanghang County, Longyan City, Fujian Province.

At present, more than 240 dinosaur footprints have been cleared, including at least 8 species such as herbivorous sauropods, large ornithopods, small ornithopods, two-toed deinonychus, and small theropods.

This is the largest and most diverse Late Cretaceous dinosaur footprint group discovered in China so far, and it is also the first record of dinosaur activity in Fujian Province.

  [Concurrent] Xing Lida, Associate Professor, China University of Geosciences (Beijing)

  So this time we found 8 types of dinosaur footprints in Shanghang, and there are 8 different types of tracers. They are sauropod dinosaurs which are herbivorous, large, medium and small ornithopod dinosaurs, and carnivorous dinosaurs. Large three-toed type, just three-toed, three-toed theropod dinosaur.

There are 8 species of two-toed Deinonychus and small theropods.

  [Explanation] On November 7, 2020, initiated by the Yingliang Stone Natural History Museum of Fujian Province, a joint expedition team was formed with China University of Geosciences (Beijing) to conduct investigations on dinosaur resources in Fujian Province, in Lincheng Town, Shanghang County, Longyan City Fossils of the Late Cretaceous dinosaur footprint group were discovered in Xiangcun for the first time.

  [Concurrent] Xing Lida, Associate Professor, China University of Geosciences (Beijing)

  The concentration of such a high diversity in an area of ​​1,600 square meters is a very shocking and very important discovery that we feel. It is very important for the study of palaeogeography and paleoecology at this time in the late Cretaceous. Then with With the development of subsequent research, it is very likely that some new relic genera and species will appear in the 8 categories.

  [Commentary] On December 15, 2020, Wang Lixia, full-time deputy director of the Office of the National Paleontological Fossil Expert Committee, Peng Guangzhao, member of the National Paleontological Fossil Expert Committee and former curator of the Sichuan Zigong Dinosaur Museum, member of the National Paleontological Fossil Expert Committee, Paleospine of Gansu Agricultural University Three experts including Li Daqing, director of the Institute of Zoology, conducted in-depth field inspections and conducted work guidance.

According to the opinions of the expert group, more than 240 dinosaur footprints have been cleared, showing the characteristics of larger area, higher diversity and better preservation.

  [Concurrent] Peng Guangzhao, member of the National Paleontological Fossil Expert Committee, Ministry of Natural Resources

  I believe that in the near future, more dinosaur fossils will be discovered, not only dinosaur footprints, but also dinosaur bones and dinosaur egg fossils. Let us wait and see.

  [Explanation] In the next step, Longyan City and Shanghang County will further strengthen scientific planning, do a good job in the protection and development and utilization of dinosaur footprint group fossils, strengthen the investigation of paleontological fossil resources, and accelerate the construction of an excellent traditional culture and natural heritage inheritance and development system.

  Wu Shengwei Yang Guoxin reports from Fuzhou, Fujian

Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]