page_title: Jiufotang Formation
section_title: Misc theropods
hierarchical_section_title: Jiufotang Formation / Fossil content / Saurischians / Misc theropods
caption_attribution_description: English: Restoration of the Mesozoic avialan Confuciusornis sanctus (long tailed/male? specimen) in mid-glide. Illustration by Matt Martyniuk, attribution required (see license).
context_page_description: The Jiufotang Formation is an Early Cretaceous geological formation in Chaoyang, Liaoning which has yielded fossils of feathered dinosaurs, primitive birds, pterosaurs, and other organisms. It is a member of the Jehol group. The exact age of the Jiufotang has been debated for years, with estimates ranging from the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous. He et al. used argon - isotope radiometry to confirm biostratigraphic age estimates. They confirmed an Early Cretaceous, Aptian age for the Jiufotang Formation, 120.3 +/-0.7 million years ago. Fossils of Microraptor and Jeholornis are from the Jiufotang.
caption: Confuciusornis sanctus
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