**Tianchisaurus: The Heavenly Pool Lizard**
Tianchisaurus is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, around 161 to 153 million years ago. This dinosaur is a member of the ankylosaur group, which is known for their tough bodies and, in later species, bony clubs on their tails. Tianchisaurus, however, likely did not have a club at the end of its tail.
**Where It Was Found**
Fossils of Tianchisaurus were discovered in China, specifically in a location called the Toutunhe Formation. This makes it one of the oldest members of its group, only slightly younger than another dinosaur called Spicomellus.
**Discovery and Naming**
The first fossils of Tianchisaurus, known as the holotype, were found in 1974. These fossils include parts of the skull, vertebrae (the bones that make up the spine), limb fragments, and some armor plates from its body.
Initially, this dinosaur was informally called “Jurassosaurus,” taking inspiration from the popular movie Jurassic Park. The name Tianchisaurus means “heavenly pool lizard,” and its species name, nedegoapeferima, honors the film’s main actors, such as Sam Neill and Laura Dern. The name was proposed by director Steven Spielberg, who supported dinosaur research in China.
In 1994, the scientist who named this dinosaur confirmed that the correct name is Tianchisaurus, and he decided to officially drop the name “Jurassosaurus,” as it was not valid.
**Other Names**
Sometimes, Tianchisaurus has been linked to another name, “Sanghongesaurus,” which was mentioned by a scientist named Zhao Xijin in 1983. There is some debate about whether this name represents a different dinosaur or is just another way to refer to Tianchisaurus.
In summary, Tianchisaurus is an interesting dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period, notable for its unique history of discovery and naming.