"The antarctic frozen valley of forgotten spirits"
(based on the Dinosaur Cove Formation)
Description
Located on the earth's southern pole, Dinosaur Cove is a valley with a river flowing through it, supplying life to a frosted forest. There are periods of complete darkness that persist for months at a time.
Geography
Frozen mountains to the south and north direct a river that flows from west to east. A forest hugs the lowest portion of the valley, while high up, icy corridors of rock lead upwards to the higher ground.
Features
Cold and extreme. Frozen waterways, snow and ice with frigid forests. Days that persist for months instead of hours.
Rock Type
Siltstone and mudstone.
Fossilisation Extent
A river created a steady supply of fossils via siltstone fossilisation.
Animals
Theropods – Timimus, Australovenator
Sauropods – Austrosaurus, Wintonotitan
Ornithopods – Atlascopcosaurus, Leaellynasaura, Muttaburrasaurus, Diluvicursor, Qantassaurus
Ankylosaurids – Kunbarrasaurus
Amphibians – Koolasuchus
Mammals - Steropodon
Other – Weta
Plants
Conifers, cycads , tree ferns, horsetails, redwood trees, laurels and angiosperms.
Most plants were riparian, living near the water sources like lakes. Only tough conifers and ferns could live away from direct sources of hydration.
"The hazardous sea of a thousand tooth-filled jaws"
(based on the Oxford Clays)
Description
Scattered islands separated by a sea of marine reptiles. Under the waters, the seabed is smooth due to the Jurassic flooding of the lowlands. The land above is sandy and sparse, offering little to the life that live there.
Geography
Most of the area is underwater with a few scattered islands that are sparsely populated.
Features
Ocean, lakes and sandy islands
Rock Type
Siltstone, sandstone and mudstone
Fossilisation Extent
Oceanic organisms are abundant in this area, whilst land animals are fragmentary. Most of the area has covered in water, enabling high quality preservation of submerged animals that land on the seabed.
Animals
Theropods – Eustreptospondylus, Metriacanthosaurus
Sauropods – Cetiosauriscus
Ornithopods – Callovosaurus
Ankylosaurids – Sarcolestes
Stegosaurids – Lexovisaurus, Loricatosaurus
Pterosaurs – Rhamphorhynchus
Plesiosaurs – Liopleurodon, Cryptoclidus, Marmornectes, Muraenosaurus, Pachycostasaurus, Peloneustes, Picrocleidus, Simolestes, Tricleidus
Thalattosuchians – Gracilineustes, Lemmysuchus, Metriorhynchus, Steneosaurus, Suchodus, Tyrannoneustes
Ichthyosaurs - Ophthalmosaurus
Fish – Leedsichthys, Hybodus, Leptolepis
Other – Termites, Crayfish, Clams, Dragonflies, Scorpions, Millipedes, Dung Beetles, Snails, Slugs, Jellyfish, Wasps, Flies, Horseshoe Crabs, Ammonites
Plants
Conifers – the trees of the Jurassic, dominant as such.
Cycads – stout, woody trunk with crown of evergreen leaves, like palm trees or ferns.
Tree ferns – tree-like structures with high, dangling fern branches.
Horsetails – spore-producing plants with pine-like needles.
Other
Seaweed, Kelp, Coral and Algae
"The forgotten jungle of feathered dragons"
(based on the Yixian and Huajiying Formations)
Description
Dense in a blanket of thick vegetation, the Yixian Formation was dominated by a vast warm forest within which lived dragons. Not of fire and myth, but feather and blood. The majority of animals here are feathered - predator and prey alike.
Geography
A deep forest covers the whole region. One river starts here and leads north whilst one to the east seperates the easternmost deep jungle from the rest. Especially dense vegetation can be found to the west and south and several lakes lie beneath the horizon-spanning treeline.
Features
Forests, jungles, lakes, rivers and floodplains.
Rock Type
Siltstone and mudstone
Fossilisation Extent
Heavy rainfall has secured many fossils, making Yixian one of the richest fossils sites in the world.
Animals
Theropods – Beipiaosaurus, Dilong paradoxus, Huaxiagnathus, Jianchangosaurus, Protarchaeopteryx, Scansoriopteryx, Sinocalliopteryx, Sinosauropteryx, Yutyrannus
Sauropods – Dongbeititan, Euhelopus, Liaoningotitan
Ankylosaurids – Liaoningosaurus, Psittacosaurus
Pterosaurs – Beipiaopterus, Boreopterus, Cathayopterus, Elanodactylus, Eosipterus, Feilongus, Gegepterus, Gladocephaloideus, Haopterus, Moganopterus, Ningchengopterus, Pterofiltrus, Zhenyuanopterus
Ceratopsians – Liaoceratops
Hadrosaurids – Bolong, Jeholosaurus, Jinzhousaurus,
Ornithomimids – Hexing, Shenzhousaurus
Oviraptorsaurids – Caudipteryx, Incisivosaurus, Ningyuansaurus, Similicaudipteryx,
Dromaeosaurids – Changyuraptor, Graciliraptor, Sinornithosaurus, Tianyuraptor, Zhenyuanlong, Zhongjianosaurus, Microraptor
Troodontids – Daliansaurus, Jianianhualong, Liaoningvenator, Mei long, Sinovenator, Sinusonasus, Jinfengopteryx
Fish – Lycoptera, Mesomyzon, Peipiaosteus, Protopsephurus, Sinamia, Yanosteus, Peipiaosteus
Amphibians – Callobatrachus, Laccotriton, Liaobatrachus, Mesophryne, Sinerpeton
Lizards and Snakes – Dalinghosaurus, Liushusaurus, Xianglong, Yabeinosaurus
Choristodera – Hyphalosaurus, Monjurosuchus
Turtles – Manchurochelys, Ordosemys
Mammals – Acristatherium, Akidolestes, Chaoyangodens, Eomaia, Gobiconodon, Jeholodens, Juchilestes, Maotherium, Meemannodon, Repenomamus, Sinobaatar, Sinodelphys, Yanoconodon, Zhangheotherium
Birds – Archaeorhynchus, Changchengornis, Confuciusornis,
Dalingheornis, Eoenantiornis, Eogranivora, Confuciusornis, Jixiangornis, Hongshanornis, Jibeinia, Liaoningornis, Liaoxiornis, Longicrusavis, Longirostravis, Protopteryx, Shanweiniao, Vescornis, Yixianosaurus, Zhongornis, Cruralispennia, Shenqiornis
Other – Lacewings, Crayfish, Clams, Crickets, Dragonflies, Antlions, Dung Beetles, Scarab Beetles, Tadpole Shrimp, Clam Shrimp, Shrimp, Snails, Slugs, Jellyfish, Wasps, Flies, Sawflies, Snakeflies, Cockroaches, Cicadas, Water Bugs
Plants
Conifers, cycads, ginkgos, tree ferns, horsetails, angiosperms, yews and eudicots
Plants are dominant in Yixian, covering almost all land that can be found. The moist air and soil maintain the hydrosphere and mean that plants can easily live beyond the confines of rivers and lakes.
"The dry lands of a recovering world"
(based on the Ghost Ranch and Chinle Formations)
Description
Following the Great Dying of the Permian, desert and arid plains still dominate the landscape. Despite the harshness of the terrain, a massive lake dominates the middle. Greenery exists but is scattered and not in abundance.
Geography
Pillars of rock rise to the east and in the centre-west lies a massive lake. The parched land is recovering from the Permian and as such, is still in lack of green food. Massive herds migrate through occasionally, providing predators with a great opportunity for gains, if they can conquer their prey.
Features
Deserts, arid plains, lakes and shoes
Rock Type
Siltstone, sandstone and mudstone
Fossilisation Extent
A massive lake created a steady supply of fossils via siltstone fossilisation.
Animals
Aetosaurs – Adamanasuchus, Desmatosuchus, Rioarribasuchus, Paratypothorax, Scutarx, Stenomyti, Typothorax, Calyptosuchus
Crurotarsans – Hesperosuchus
Phytosaurs – Leptosuchus, Smilosuchus, Paleorhinus, Machaeroprosopus, Pravusuchus, Protome, Redondasaurus
Paracrocodylomorphs – Shuvosaurus, Effigia, Poposaurus, Postosuchus, Saurosuchus, Vivaron
Theropods – Camposaurus, Chindesaurus, Coelophysis, Daemonosaurus, Gojirasaurus, Tawa Hallae
Prosauropods - Plateosaurus
Drepanosaurs – Avicranium, Dolabrosaurus, Drepanosaurus
Proterochampsia – Doswellia
Tanystropheidae – Tanytrachelos
Allokotosaurs – Trilophosaurus
Archosauriformes – Vancleavea
Dicynodonts – Placerias
Turtles – Chinlechelys
Procolophonidae – Colognathus
Sphereodont – Whitakersaurus
Temnospondyli – Koskinonodon, Chinlestegophis
Fish – Acrodus, Lonchidion, Xenacanthus, Chinlea, Arganodus, Australosomus, Hemicalypterus, Cionichthys, Lasalichthys, Lophionotus, Synorichthys, Tanaocrossus
Other – Termites, Beetles, Scorpions, Millipedes, Dung Beetles, Wasps, Flies
Plants
Conifers, cycads and horsetails
Most plants were riparian, living near the water sources like lakes. Only tough conifers and ferns could live away from direct sources of hydration.
"The burning sands of a desolate kingdom"
(based on the Flaming Cliffs Formation)
Description
The climate here is a hot desert. The only sources of water and green come from sheltered oasis' between massive rolling dunes of sand.
Geography
The dunes are constantly on the move, making the ecosystem for water and food sources precarious at best. Large dunes are to the west, protecting a portion of the east well enough. Massive rainstorms periodically visit the desert, turning sand loose and creating massive sandslides capable of burying animals alive.
Features
Swampy lowlands, lakes, rivers and floodplains
Rock Type
Sandstone and limestone
Fossilisation Extent
Found mostly in sandstone, often individuals are in the poses they died in to the sudden nature of being buried alive in sand.
Animals
Theropods – Tarbosaurus, Velociraptor, Saurornithoides, Archaeornithoides, Kol, Shuvuuia, Alectrosaurus, Therizinosaurus
Ankylosaurids – Pinacosaurus
Pterosaurs – Quetzalcoatlus
Ceratopsians – Protoceratops, Udanceratops
Hadrosaurids – Plesiohadros
Ornithomimids – Aepyornithomimus
Oviraptorsaurids – Oviraptor, Gigantoraptor, Citipati, Khaan
Dromaeosaurids – Halszkaraptor, Mahakala
Troodontids – Almas, Byronosaurus, Gobivenator, Saurornithoides, Tsaagan
Crurotarsans – Gobiosuchus, Shamosuchus, Zaraasuchus, Zosuchus
Lizards and Snakes – Alolosaurus, Anchaurosaurus, Estesia, Gobiderma, Mimeosaurus, Pleurodontagama, Priscagama, Saichangurvel, Telmasaurus, Xihaina
Mammals – Bulgannbaatar, Deltatheridium, Deltatheroides, Hyotheridium, Kannalestes, Kamptobaatar, Kryptobaatar, Zalambdalestes
Birds – Apsaravis, Gobipteryx
Other – Termites, Beetles, Scorpions, Millipedes, Dung Beetles, Wasps, Flies
Plants
Conifers, cycads and horsetails
Most plants were riparian, living near oasis'. Only tough conifers could live away from direct sources of hydration.
"The toxic lands of a dying dynasty"
(based on the Hell Creek Formation)
Description
Volcanic and hot, the plains of Hell Creek are poisoned by noxious fumes and the shadow of a rumbling mountain. In addition, a threat from beyond earth stalks the sky, ticking down the seconds until the end of the Cretaceous and the beginning of the Paleogene. Tar pits pose a danger to those seeking an easy drink and toxic rain from volcanic ash can poison fresh water sources.
Geography
Contained on the western portion of North America, separated from the rest via a great inland sea. A massive volcano stands to the north with a lush forest to the south with groups of lakes dotted in the green.
Features
Volcanic plains, highlands, forests, lakes and tar pits
Rock Type
Volcanic rock and mudstone
Fossilisation Extent
Found both around silty areas such as the lakes and the inland sea to the east.
Animals
Theropods – Tyrannosaurus
Ankylosaurids – Ankylosaurus, Denversaurus
Pterosaurs – Quetzalcoatlus
Pachycephalosaurids – Pachycephalosaurus, Sphaerotholus
Ceratopsians – Triceratops, Torosaurus, Leptoceratops
Hadrosaurids – Edmontosaurus, Thescelosaurus
Ornithomimids – Struthiomimus
Oviraptorsaurids – Leptorhynchos, Anzu Wyliei
Dromaeosaurids – Acheroraptor, Dakotaraptor
Crurotarsans – Borealosuchus, Brachychampsa, Thoracosaurus
Lizards and Snakes – Boid, Palaeosaniwa, Obamadon
Choristodera – Champsosaurus
Turtles – Adocus, Trionyx
Mammals – Didelphodon, Alphadon, Purgatorius
Birds – Aviasaurus, Brodavis, Potamornis
Other – Termites, Crayfish, Clams, Dragonflies, Scorpions, Millipedes, Dung Beetles, Snails, Slugs, Jellyfish, Wasps, Flies
Plants
Conifers, cycads, tree ferns, horsetails, redwoods, palm trees, laurels and angiosperms
Most plants were riparian, living near the water sources like lakes. Only tough conifers and ferns could live away from direct sources of hydration.
"The fragile land of the Allosaurus"
(based on the Morrison Formation)
Description
The overall climate was dry, like a modern grassland sans the grass. Flowering plants have yet to evolve, leaving ferns and horsetails to dominate the earthy landscape.
Geography
Sundance Sea, an extension of the Arctic, bordered the north and a massive desert to the south that we know existed due to aeolian processes, with dunes and one massive salt pan called Lake T'oo'dichi' evident from siltstone deposits.
Features
Swampy lowlands, lakes, rivers and floodplains
Rock Type
Mudstone, sandstone, siltstone and limestone
Fossilisation Extent
Found mostly in green siltstone and lower sandstone layers, in former rivers and floodplains, ideal for fossilisation.
Animals
Theropods – Allosaurus, Torvosaurus, Ceratosaurus, Marshosaurus, Strokesosaurus, Ornitholestes, Tanycolagreus
Sauropods – Diplodocus, Camarasaurus, Brontosaurus, Apatosaurus, Barosaurus, Supersaurus, Brachiosaurus, Suuwassea, Haplocanthosaurus
Ornithopods – Camptosaurus, Dryosaurus, Othnielosaurus
Heterodontosaurids – Fruitadens
Ankylosaurids – Gargoyleosaurus, Mymoorapelta
Stegosaurids – Stegosaurus, Hesperosaurus
Pterosaurs – Mesadactylus, Harpactognathus
Crurotarsans – Amphicotylus, Hallopus, Fruitachampsa, Hoplosuchus
Lizards and Snakes – Dorsetisaurus, Diablophis
Sphenodonts – Eilenodon
Choristodera – Ctenigenys
Turtles – Glyptops
Amphibians – Rhadinosteus, Iridotriton
Fish – Ceratodus, Morrolepis, Leptolepis, Hulettia
Mammals – Triconolestes, Docodon, Glirodon, Dryolestes, Tinodon
Other – Termites, Crayfish, Clams, Dragonflies, Scorpions, Millipedes, Dung Beetles, Snails, Slugs, Jellyfish, Wasps, Flies
Plants
Conifers, ginkgos, cycads, Tree ferns and horsetails
Most plants were riparian, living near the river and other water sources like lakes. Only tough conifers and ferns could live away from direct sources of hydration.
