Changchunsaurus (neornithischian from Cretaceous of China) slow growth rate
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Ben Creisler
May 29, 2026, 12:24:56 PM (8 days ago) May 29
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Ben Creisler
A new paper:
Changchunsaurus parvus, a famous neornithischian from the Quantou Formation, Upper Cretaceous in the Songliao Basin of Northeast China is particularly interesting for its small size and combination of derived features. Despite previous anatomical descriptions, its growth pattern and life history remain poorly understood. Here, we reconstruct the ontogenetic trajectory and growth rate of Changchunsaurus using histological analysis of femora from individuals of different sizes. Based on tissue microstructure, an extended ontogeny ranging from juvenile to full skeletal maturity is recognized in this small ornithischian dinosaur. The growth model we derived reveals the asymptotic body mass and growth rate of Changchunsaurus, with the latter representing one of the slowest growth rates documented among dinosaurs to date. Our data further indicate that sexual maturity was attained at a relatively old age compared to other basal neornithischians. This study provides a comprehensive life history reconstruction of an early-diverging neornithischian dinosaur, highlighting its extremely slow growth rate, relatively prolonged life, and small adult size, in contrast to most other known dinosaurs. We also combine the analysis of the environment of the Quantou Formation (Cenomanian) in the early Late Cretaceous to explore the reasons for the slow growth rate of Changchunsaurus.
Longhan Wang, Tea Maho, Jun Chen, Jordan M. Young & Robert R. Reisz (2026)
Exceptionally slow growth rates and life history of Changchunsaurus parvus from the Upper Cretaceous Quantou Formation, Songliao Basin, Northeast China☆
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 113931
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2026.113931
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031018226003949
Highlights
Changchunsaurus exhibited a slow growth rate, among the slowest known in dinosaurs.
Changchunsaurus likely exhibits a relatively small body size compared with its closest related taxa Jeholosaurus.
Sexual maturity was reached at around 7 to 8 years of age.
The slow growth strategy may be linked to a semi-arid paleoenvironment.
Abstract
Exceptionally slow growth rates and life history of Changchunsaurus parvus from the Upper Cretaceous Quantou Formation, Songliao Basin, Northeast China☆
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 113931
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2026.113931
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031018226003949
Highlights
Changchunsaurus exhibited a slow growth rate, among the slowest known in dinosaurs.
Changchunsaurus likely exhibits a relatively small body size compared with its closest related taxa Jeholosaurus.
Sexual maturity was reached at around 7 to 8 years of age.
The slow growth strategy may be linked to a semi-arid paleoenvironment.
Abstract
Changchunsaurus parvus, a famous neornithischian from the Quantou Formation, Upper Cretaceous in the Songliao Basin of Northeast China is particularly interesting for its small size and combination of derived features. Despite previous anatomical descriptions, its growth pattern and life history remain poorly understood. Here, we reconstruct the ontogenetic trajectory and growth rate of Changchunsaurus using histological analysis of femora from individuals of different sizes. Based on tissue microstructure, an extended ontogeny ranging from juvenile to full skeletal maturity is recognized in this small ornithischian dinosaur. The growth model we derived reveals the asymptotic body mass and growth rate of Changchunsaurus, with the latter representing one of the slowest growth rates documented among dinosaurs to date. Our data further indicate that sexual maturity was attained at a relatively old age compared to other basal neornithischians. This study provides a comprehensive life history reconstruction of an early-diverging neornithischian dinosaur, highlighting its extremely slow growth rate, relatively prolonged life, and small adult size, in contrast to most other known dinosaurs. We also combine the analysis of the environment of the Quantou Formation (Cenomanian) in the early Late Cretaceous to explore the reasons for the slow growth rate of Changchunsaurus.
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