Li, Zhaoyu ， Zhang, Yunxiang ， Li, Yongxiang ， Xie, Kun ， Mors, Thomas
2025-07-01 PALAEONTOGRAPHICA ABTEILUNG A-PALAOZOOLOGIE-STRATIGRAPHIE 2025 331(卷), 46025(期), (49-95页)
The fossiliferous sediments of the Lower Xianshuihe Formation at Lanzhou are among the few important Early Oligocene mammalbearing localities in China. Previous studies have revealed a diversified local fauna, including the presence of the paraceratheriid Paraceratherium huangheense that is restricted to the late Early Oligocene Lanzhou Basin. However, fossils of P. huangheense were poorly documented, with only mandibular and dental materials available. The newly discovered postcranial skeletal elements provide supplementary morphological features of P. huangheense and allow for a detailed comparison with other large-sized paraceratheres. Nevertheless, additional cranial and postcranial fossils are needed for identifiable traits at the species level. The improvement of climatic and ecological conditions - characterized by a temperate semi-arid climate and expansion of open woodlands - during the Early Oligocene in Lanzhou likely played a significant role in the distribution of giant rhinos.