# Zhoutian Formation

The Zhoutian Formation (Chinese: 周田组; pinyin: zhōu tián zǔ) is a geological formation in Jiangxi, China. It has been dated to the late Cretaceous period, at about 96–90 Ma. Abundant egg fossils are known from the formation, in addition to dinosaurs such as Datai and Gandititan. Invertebrate and plant fossils have also been described from the Zhoutian Formation.

## Geology

Layers of the Zhoutian Formation are characterized by a consistent sandy lithology, typically with mauve (reddish to purplish) hues. Most of the formation alternates between fine calcic sandstone and siltstone layers. In some places, other minerals are interbedded, such as calcium, gypsum, halite, and mirabilite. The Zhoutian Formation dates to around 96–90 million years ago, during the Turonian–early Coniacian ages of the early Late Cretaceous epoch within the Cretaceous period.

### Stratigraphy

The Zhoutian Formation is the upper unit of the Ganzhou Group, overlying the Maodian Formation in that group. The Guifeng Group (beginning with the Hekou Formation) overlies the Zhoutian Formation. These two groups comprise the Ganzhou Basin.

## Paleoenvironment

The lower unit of the Zhoutian Formation is suggested to have had a predominantly hot-arid climate, punctuated by two cooling events. The upper unit was likely characterized by a predominantly warm-humid climate with frequent climate fluctuations. The environment has been interpreted as a shallow lacustrine (lake) system. While oviraptorid body fossils have not been found in the Zhoutian Formation, they are among the most common dinosaur fossils found in other similar localities, in addition to occasional sauropod and hadrosaurid fossils.

## Fossil content

| Color key Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon | Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited. |

### Dinosaurs

| Genus | Species | Region | Material | Notes | Images |
| Datai | D. yingliangis | Jiangxi | YLSNHM 01002 (holotype) and YLSNHM 01003 (paratype), two articulated, associated specimens including both skulls, as well as some cervical, dorsal, and caudal vertebrae, partial pectoral and pelvic girdles, left arm bones, a partial right femur, ribs, and several osteoderms | An ankylosaurine; possibly closely related to Pinacosaurus | |
| Gandititan | G. cavocaudatus | Jiangxi | JXGM-F-V1, a series of cervical, dorsal, sacral, and caudal vertebrae, ribs, and a partial right pelvic girdle | A basal titanosaur; closely related to Abdarainurus | |

### Ootaxa

| Genus | Species | Region | Material | Notes |
| Wormoolithus | W. luxiensis | Jiangxi | PXMV-0021, a small partial clutch with the remains of at least seven eggs | Classified as belonging to the Similifaveoloolithidae |
| Undulatoolithus | U. pengi | Jiangxi | PXMV-0016, a well-preserved clutch of eight eggs | Classified as belonging to the Elongatoolithidae, possibly laid by an oviraptorosaur |
| Parafaveoloolithus | P. pingxiangensis | Jiangxi | PXMV-0009-01, a single partial egg | Classified as belonging to the Faveoloolithidae |

### Invertebrates

| Genus | Species | Region | Material | Notes | Images |
| Nemestheria | N. sp. | Jiangxi | | A clam shrimp | |

### Plants

| Genus | Species | Region | Material | Notes | Images |
| Euonymus | E. sp. | Jiangxi | | A flowering plant within the family Celastraceae | |
| Frenelopsis | F. sp. | Jiangxi | | A conifer within the family Cheirolepidiaceae | |