The Bissekty Formation is situated in the Kyzyl Kum

Kyzyl Kum

The Kyzyl Kum , also called Qyzylqum, is the 11th largest desert in the world. Its name means Red Sand in Turkic languages. It is located in Central Asia in the doab between the rivers Amu Darya and Syr Darya, and is divided between Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan...

 desert of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....

, and dates from the late Cretaceous

Cretaceous

The Cretaceous , derived from the Latin "creta" , usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago. In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...

 Period. Laid down in the early the Turonian

Turonian

The Turonian is, in the ICS' geologic timescale, the second age in the Late Cretaceous epoch, or a stage in the Upper Cretaceous series. It spans the time between 93.5 ± 0.8 Ma and 89.3 ± 1 Ma...

 to Coniacian

Coniacian

The Coniacian is an age or stage in the geologic timescale. It is a subdivision of the Late Cretaceous epoch or Upper Cretaceous series and spans the time between 89.3 ± 1 Ma and 85.8 ± 0.7 Ma...

 stages, it is dated to about 90-85 ma (million years ago).

The Bissekty Formation is characterised by a mix of marine

Marine (ocean)

Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...

, brackish

Brackish water

Brackish water is water that has more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater. It may result from mixing of seawater with fresh water, as in estuaries, or it may occur in brackish fossil aquifers. The word comes from the Middle Dutch root "brak," meaning "salty"...

, freshwater

Freshwater

Fresh water is naturally occurring water on the Earth's surface in ice sheets, ice caps, glaciers, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and underground as groundwater in aquifers and underground streams. Fresh water is generally characterized by having low concentrations of dissolved salts and...

, and terrestrial

Terrestrial animal

Terrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land , as compared with aquatic animals, which live predominantly or entirely in the water , or amphibians, which rely on a combination of aquatic and terrestrial habitats...

 animal

Animal

Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...

 fossils. This stands in contrast the strictly marine fossil

Fossil

Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...

s found in the underlying Dzheirantui Formation, and indicates that the Bissekty was formed during the regression of a saltwater sea

Sea

A sea generally refers to a large body of salt water, but the term is used in other contexts as well. Most commonly, it means a large expanse of saline water connected with an ocean, and is commonly used as a synonym for ocean...

. The coastline expanded inland again in the upper portion of the Bissekty, represented by a proportional increase of fully aquatic species, which were almost completely absent from the middle period of the formation. Semi-aquatic species remained abundant during this middle period, and the geology of the formations indicates that a braided river

Braided river

A braided river is one of a number of channel types and has a channel that consists of a network of small channels separated by small and often temporary islands called braid bars or, in British usage, aits or eyots. Braided streams occur in rivers with high slope and/or large sediment load...

 system took the place of the coastline. Eventually the area was again completely underwater, during the time period represented by the later Aitym Formation, which preserves coastal marine sediments.

Arthropods

Arthropods of the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic Position	Abundance	Notes
Linuparus Linuparus Linuparus is a genus of spiny lobsters in the family Palinuridae. It contains four extant species, and 32 fossil species, ranging from the Early Cretaceous to the Oligocene...	Linuparus dzheirantuiensis			Marine Marine (ocean) Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology... .	A spiny lobster Spiny lobster Spiny lobsters, also known as langouste or rock lobsters, are a family of about 45 species of achelate crustaceans, in the Decapoda Reptantia... .

Molluscs

An indeterminate species of marine placenticeratid ammonite. An indeterminate species of marine teredinid shipworm. An indeterminate marine trigoniid bivalve. An indeterminate marine veneroid bivalve.

Molluscs of the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic Position	Abundance	Notes
Crassatelites	Indeterminate				A marine crassatellid Crassatellidae Crassatellidae is a family of marine bivalve molluscs of the order Veneroida.-Genera and species:* Crassatella Lamarck, 1799** Crassatella ponderosa Gmelin, 1791* Crassinella Guppy, 1874** Crassinella dupliniana...  bivalve Bivalvia Bivalvia is a taxonomic class of marine and freshwater molluscs. This class includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, and many other families of molluscs that have two hinged shells... .
Mytiloides	Mytiloides labiatus				An marine inoceramid Inoceramidae Inoceramidae was a family of prehistoric clams. Inoceramids tended to live in upper bathyal and neritic environments. In Alaska's Matanuska Formation, the most abundant mollusks in the quarry containing the Talkeetna Mountains Hadrosaur were inoceramids....  bivalve.
Plagiostoma Plagiostoma Plagiostoma is a genus of fungi in the family Gnomoniaceae. The genus contains 22 species.-External links:* at Index Fungorum...	Indeterminate				A marine limoid Limidae Limidae is the only family of bivalve molluscs in the order Limoida.-Genera:* Acesta H. and A. Adams, 1858* Divarilima Powell, 1958* Escalima Iredale, 1929 * Lima Bruguière, 1789 * Limaria Link, 1807 * Limatula S. V. Wood, 1839...  bivalve.
Quadratotrigonia	Indeterminate				A marine trigoniid Trigoniidae The Trigoniidae represent a large and morphologically interesting family of highly ornamented non-siphonate bivalves. They originated from the Myophoriidae in the Triassic and underwent an explosion of diversity in the Jurassic, reaching an acme in the Cretaceous, although most genera became...  bivalve.
Xylophaga	Indeterminate				An indeterminate species of marine shipworm.

Vertebrate paleofauna

The Bissekty Formation is notable for preserving the most abundant Turonian

Turonian

The Turonian is, in the ICS' geologic timescale, the second age in the Late Cretaceous epoch, or a stage in the Upper Cretaceous series. It spans the time between 93.5 ± 0.8 Ma and 89.3 ± 1 Ma...

 land animal fossils in Eurasia, and the most diverse fauna of Late Cretaceous eutheria

Eutheria

Eutheria is a group of mammals consisting of placental mammals plus all extinct mammals that are more closely related to living placentals than to living marsupials . They are distinguished from noneutherians by various features of the feet, ankles, jaws and teeth...

ns (placental mammals and relatives) in the world.

Listings and accompanying information are based on an survey of the Bissekty Formation published by Cory Redman and Lindsey Leighton in 2009 unless otherwise noted. Aquatic and semi-aquatic species are restricted to freshwater

Freshwater

Fresh water is naturally occurring water on the Earth's surface in ice sheets, ice caps, glaciers, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and underground as groundwater in aquifers and underground streams. Fresh water is generally characterized by having low concentrations of dissolved salts and...

 unless otherwise noted.

Amphibians

An indeterminate species of salamander

Salamander

Salamander is a common name of approximately 500 species of amphibians. They are typically characterized by a superficially lizard-like appearance, with their slender bodies, short noses, and long tails. All known fossils and extinct species fall under the order Caudata, while sometimes the extant...

-like albanerpetontid amphibian. An indeterminate gobiatid species.

Amphibians of the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic Position	Abundance	Notes
Aralobatrachus Aralobatrachus Aralobatrachus is an extinct genus of prehistoric amphibian....	Aralobatrachus robustus				A frog Frog Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail... .
Eoscapherpeton Eoscapherpeton Eoscapherpeton is an extinct genus of prehistoric amphibian,,.-See also:* Prehistoric amphibian* List of prehistoric amphibians...	Eoscapherpeton asiaticum				A scapherpetontid salamander.
Gobiates Gobiates Gobiates is an extinct genus of prehistoric amphibian.-See also:* Prehistoric amphibian* List of prehistoric amphibians...	Gobiates sosedkoi				A gobiatid frog.
	Gobiates spp.				Additional indeterminate species of Gobiates.
Itemirella Itemirella Itemirella is an extinct genus of prehistoric amphibian.-See also:* Prehistoric amphibian* List of prehistoric amphibians...	Itemirella cretacea				A possible discoglossid Discoglossidae Discoglossidae is a family of primitive frogs, with the common name Disc-Tongued Frogs. Most are endemic to Europe, but there are also three species in North-West Africa, and an extinct species formerly occurred in Israel....  frog.
Kizylkuma Kizylkuma Kizylkuma is an extinct genus of prehistoric amphibian.-See also:* Prehistoric amphibian* List of prehistoric amphibians...	Kizylkuma antiqua				A possible discoglossid frog. Marine Marine (ocean) Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology... .
Mynbulakia	Mynbulakia surgai				A batrachosauroidid salamander.

Cartilaginous fish

Cartilaginous fishes of the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic Position	Abundance	Notes	Images
Cretodus	Cretodus crassidens				A cretoxyrhinid Cretoxyrhinidae Cretoxyrhinidae is an extinct family of sharks. Members of this family include Cretoxyrhina, a genus from the Cretaceous, and Palaeocarcharodon, a possible ancestor of the Great white shark and Carcharodon megalodon, possibly the largest shark to have lived.-External links:*... . Marine Marine (ocean) Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology... .
Heterodontus	Indeterminate				A bullhead shark Bullhead shark The bullhead sharks are a small order of basal modern sharks . There are nine living species in a single genus, Heterodontus, in the family Heterodontidae. All are relatively small, with the largest species being just in adult length... . Marine.
Hispidaspis	Indeterminate				A sand shark Sand shark Sand sharks, also known as sand tiger sharks or ragged tooth sharks, are lamniform sharks of the family Odontaspididae . They are found worldwide in temperate and tropical waters, including on both sides of the Atlantic coast, but most notably in the Western Indian Ocean and in the Gulf of Maine... . Tolerant of brackish water Brackish water Brackish water is water that has more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater. It may result from mixing of seawater with fresh water, as in estuaries, or it may occur in brackish fossil aquifers. The word comes from the Middle Dutch root "brak," meaning "salty"... .
Hybodus Hybodus Hybodus is an extinct genus of once-common, widespread and long lived sharks, first appearing towards the end of the Permian period, and disappearing at the beginning of the Cretaceous. During the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods the hybodonts were especially successful and could be...	Indeterminate				A hybodontid Hybodontidae Hybodontidae is an extinct family of sharks, first appearing in the Mississippian period, and disappearing during the Miocene.... . Tolerant of brackish water.
Ischyrhiza Ischyrhiza Ischyrhiza is an extinct genus of cartilaginous fish from the Cretaceous and Paleogene belonging to the primitive Batoidea family Sclerorhynchidae.-Sources:* Fossils by David Ward * accessed on 8/21/09...	Ischyrhiza serra				A sclerorhynchid Sclerorhynchidae Sclerorhynchidae is an extinct family of cartilaginous fish from the Cretaceous and Paleogene belonging to the primitive Batoidea suborder Sclerorhynchoidea.-Sources:* accessed on 8/21/09... . Tolerant of brackish water.
Myledaphus	Myledaphus tritus				A rhinobatoid. Tolerant of brackish water.
Polyacrodus	Indeterminate				A polyacrodontid. Tolerant of brackish water.
Scapanorhynchus Scapanorhynchus Scapanorhynchus is an extinct genus of shark from the Cretaceous era. Their extreme similarities to the living goblin shark, Mitsukurina owstoni, lead some experts to consider reclassifying it as Scapanorhynchus owstoni...	Scapanorhynchus rhaphiodon				A goblin shark Mitsukurinidae Mitsukurinidae, also called goblin sharks is a family of sharks with one living genus, Mitsukurina, and three extinct genera: Anomotodon, Pseudoscapanorhynchus and Scapanorhynchus, though some taxonomists consider Scapanorhynchus to be a synonym of Mitsukurina... . Tolerant of brackish water.

Crocodylomorphs

Crocodylomorphs Crocodylomorpha The Crocodylomorpha are an important group of archosaurs that include the crocodilians and their extinct relatives.During Mesozoic and early Tertiary times the Crocodylomorpha were far more diverse than they are now. Triassic forms were small, lightly built, active terrestrial animals. These were...  of the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic Position	Abundance	Notes
Kansajsuchus Kansajsuchus Kansajsuchus is a genus of crocodyliform that may have been a goniopholidid mesoeucrocodylian. It is based on PIN 2399/301, a right premaxilla, one of the bones of the tip of the snout. This specimen was found in rocks of the lower Santonian-age Upper Cretaceous Yalovach Svita of Kansai, in...	Kansajsuchus borealis				A possible goniopholidid Goniopholididae Goniopholididae is an extinct family of moderate-sized semi-aquatic crocodyliforms similar to living crocodiles. They lived between the Early Jurassic and the Late Cretaceous.-Geographical distribution:...  mesoeucrocodylia Mesoeucrocodylia Mesoeucrocodylia is the name of the clade that includes Eusuchia and the paraphyletic group Mesosuchia. The group appeared during the Early Jurassic, and continues to the present day.... n.
Shamosuchus Shamosuchus Shamosuchus is an extinct genus of neosuchian crocodile that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now the Gobi desert of Mongolia, approximately 85 to 65 million years ago. The teeth were adapted to crush bivalves, gastropods and other animals with a shell or exoskeleton . The genus...	Indeterminate				A goniopholidid mesoeucrocodylian tolerant of brackish water Brackish water Brackish water is water that has more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater. It may result from mixing of seawater with fresh water, as in estuaries, or it may occur in brackish fossil aquifers. The word comes from the Middle Dutch root "brak," meaning "salty"... .
Tadzhikosuchus Tadzhikosuchus Tadzhikosuchus is an extinct genus of crocodylomorph that may have been a crocodylid eusuchian. To date it is mostly known from partial dentaries that show it to have been very similar to Diplocynodon, if not the same genus...	Tadzhikosuchus macrodentis				A possible alligatoroid eusuchian.
Zholsuchus Zholsuchus Zholsuchus is a genus of crocodyliform that may have been a goniopholidid mesoeucrocodylian, but is only known from scanty material . This specimen was found in the Coniacian-age Upper Cretaceous Bissekty Formation of Dzharakhuduk, Uzbekistan. Zholsuchus was described in 1989 by Lev Nesov and...	Zholsuchus procevus				A possible mesoeucrocodylian.
Zhyrasuchus Zhyrasuchus Zhyrasuchus is an extinct genus of crocodylomorph that may have been a crocodylid eusuchian, but is only known from scanty material including a frontal . Its fossils were found in the Coniacian-age Upper Cretaceous Bissekty Formation of Dzharakhuduk, Uzbekistan. Zhyrasuchus was described in 1989...	Zhyrasuchus angustifrons				A possible eusuchian.

Lizards

An indeterminate gekkonid. An indeterminate priscagamid. An indeterminate scincid.

Lizard Lizard Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains... s of the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic Position	Abundance	Notes
Buckantaus	Buckantaus crassidens				A macrocephalosaurid.
Ekshmer	Ekshmer bissektensis				A priscagamid.

Mammals and other therapsids

An unnamed genus and species of zhelestid ungulatomorph.

Mammaliaformes Mammaliaformes Mammaliaformes is a clade that contains the mammals and their closest extinct relatives. Phylogenetically, it is defined as a clade including the most recent common ancestor of Sinoconodon, morganuconodonts, docodonts, Monotremata, Marsupialia, Placentalia, extinct members of this clade, and all...  of the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic Position	Abundance	Notes
Aspanlestes	Aspanlestes aptap				A zhelestid.
Daulestes	Daulestes inobservabilis				An asioryctitheria Asioryctitheria Asioryctitheria is an extinct order of early eutherians.-Skull structure:With the exception of Prokennalestes, these advanced forms lacked a Meckelian groove. Furthermore they were equipped with double-rooted canines, a lower premolar with a reduced or absent metaconid and a more elongated lower... n.
	Daulestes kezbe				An asioryctitherian.
	Daulestes kulbeckensis				An asioryctitherian.
	Unnamed				An unnamed species of Daulestes.
Kulbeckia	Kulbeckia kulbecke				A zalambdalestid.
	Unnamed				An unnamed smaller species of Kulbeckia.
Paranyctoides	Paranyctoides aralensis				A eutheria Eutheria Eutheria is a group of mammals consisting of placental mammals plus all extinct mammals that are more closely related to living placentals than to living marsupials . They are distinguished from noneutherians by various features of the feet, ankles, jaws and teeth... n.
Parazhelestes	Parazhelestes mynbulakensis				A zhelestid.
Parazhelestes	Parazhelestes robustus				A zhelestid.
Shalbaatar	Shalbaatar bakht				A symmetrodont Symmetrodonta Symmetrodonta is a basal group of Mesozoic mammals characterized by the triangular aspect of the molars when viewed from above and the absence of a well-developed talonid. The traditional group of symmetrodonts ranges in age from the latest Triassic to the Late Cretaceous. One species,... .
Sulestes	Sulestes karakshi				A deltatheroid Deltatheroida Deltatheroida is an extinct group of basal metatherians that lived in the Cretaceous and were closely related to marsupials. Their fossils are restricted to Central Asia and North America... .
Uzbekbaatar Uzbekbaatar Uzbekbaatar is a genus of extinct mammal from the Upper Cretaceous of Uzbekistan. It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta, though its further affinities are unclear. The genus was named by Kielan-Jaworowska Z. and Nesov L.A...	Uzbekbaatar kizylkumensis				A cimolodont Cimolodonta The Cimolodonta are a taxon of extinct mammals that lived from the Cretaceous to the Eocene. They were some of the more derived members of the extinct order Multituberculata. They probably lived something of a rodent-like existence until their ecological niche was assumed by true rodents... .
Zhelestes	Zhelestes temirkazyk				A zhelestid.

Ornithischians

Indeterminate hadrosaurid remains are known from the Bissekty Formation.

Ornithischia Ornithischia Ornithischia or Predentata is an extinct order of beaked, herbivorous dinosaurs. The name ornithischia is derived from the Greek ornitheos meaning 'of a bird' and ischion meaning 'hip joint'... ns reported from the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Description	Images
Amtosaurus Amtosaurus Amtosaurus is a genus of ornithischian dinosaur based on a fragmentary skull collected from the Upper Cretaceous Bayanshiree Svita Formation of Mongolia and originally believed to represent an ankylosaurid. Hadrosaurid affinities have also been suggested...	A. archibaldi				Reclassified as Bissektipelta
Bactrosaurus Bactrosaurus Bactrosaurus is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived in east China during the late Cretaceous, about 70 mya. The position Bactrosaurus occupies in the Cretaceous makes it one of the earliest known hadrosaurs, and although it is not known from a full skeleton, Bactrosaurus is one of the best...	B. kysylkumensis				A hadrosaur
Bissektipelta Bissektipelta Bissektipelta is an ankylosaurid dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of Uzbekistan. The holotype and only known specimen was collected from the Bissekty Formation , of Dzharakuduk, and the name Bissektipelta refers to this geological formation...	B. archibaldi			"Partial skull."	An ankylosaur Ankylosauria Ankylosauria is a group of herbivorous dinosaurs of the order Ornithischia. It includes the great majority of dinosaurs with armor in the form of bony osteoderms. Ankylosaurs were bulky quadrupeds, with short, powerful limbs. They are first known to have appeared in the early Jurassic Period of...
Cionodon Cionodon Cionodon was a genus of dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Period. The type species, Cionodon arctatus lived in what is now present-day Colorado. It is classified as a hadrosaur, and was formally described by Edward Drinker Cope in 1874. It is a nomen dubium because it is based on very fragmentary...	C. kyslkumensis			"Fragmentary dentary, vetebrae, tibia."
Gilmoreosaurus Gilmoreosaurus Gilmoreosaurus is the name given to a genus of dinosaur from the Cretaceous of Asia. The type species is Gilmoreosaurus mongoliensis. It is believed to be a hadrosaur or iguanodont from the Iren Dabasu Formation of Mongolia, dating to 70 Ma ago. Additional specimens have been described as distinct...	G. kysylkumensis				Reclassified as Bactrosaurus
Turanoceratops Turanoceratops Turanoceratops is a genus of ceratopsian dinosaur, possibly a ceratopsid. Its fossil remains were recovered from the Bissekty Formation of Uzbekistan, dating to the late Cretaceous Period about 90 million years ago...	T. tardabilis				A ceratopsia Ceratopsia Ceratopsia or Ceratopia is a group of herbivorous, beaked dinosaurs which thrived in what are now North America, Europe, and Asia, during the Cretaceous Period, although ancestral forms lived earlier, in the Jurassic. The earliest known ceratopsian, Yinlong downsi, lived between 161.2 and 155.7... n

Plesiosaurs

Plesiosaurs of the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic Position	Abundance	Notes	Images
?Plesiosaurus Plesiosaurus Plesiosaurus was a genus of large marine sauropterygian reptile that lived during the early part of the Jurassic Period, and is known by nearly complete skeletons from the Lias of England...	P.? sp.				A possible species of Plesiosaurus. Marine Marine (ocean) Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology... , possibly tolerant of brackish water Brackish water Brackish water is water that has more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater. It may result from mixing of seawater with fresh water, as in estuaries, or it may occur in brackish fossil aquifers. The word comes from the Middle Dutch root "brak," meaning "salty"... .

Pterosaurs

Pterosaurs of the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic Position	Abundance	Notes	Images
Azhdarcho Azhdarcho Azhdarcho is a genus of pterodactyloid pterosaur from the late Cretaceous Period of the Bissekty Formation of Uzbekistan. It is known from fragmentary remains including the distinctive, elongated neck vertebrae that characterizes members of the family Azhdarchidae, which also includes such giant...	Azhdarcho lancicollis	Dzhara-Kuduk	Taykarshinskaya unit		An azhdarchid Azhdarchidae Azhdarchidae is a family of pterosaurs known primarily from the late Cretaceous Period, though an isolated vertebrae apparently from an azhdarchid is known from the early Cretaceous as well...

Ray-finned fish

An indeterminate acipenserid. An indeterminate albulid (bonefish) species. An indeterminate albulid (bonefish) species. An indeterminate pholidophoriform species.

Ray-finned fish of the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic Position	Abundance	Notes	Images
Aidachar Aidachar Aidachar is an extinct genus of ichthyodectiform teleost ray-finned fish from the Late Cretaceous of Kyzyl Kum, central Asia. It was named by Lev Nesov in 1981. At first, he tentatively described the fossil material as the jaw fragments of a ctenochasmatid pterosaur , but reinterpreted Aidachar...	Aidachar paludalis				An ichthyodectiform tolerant of brackish water Brackish water Brackish water is water that has more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater. It may result from mixing of seawater with fresh water, as in estuaries, or it may occur in brackish fossil aquifers. The word comes from the Middle Dutch root "brak," meaning "salty"... .
Amia Amia Amia, AMIA, or AMiA can refer to:*American Medical Informatics Association*Bowfin, a fish genus*Anglican Mission in the Americas*Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina, a Jewish community center located in Buenos Aires, Argentina...  ♥	Amia limosa				A bowfin Bowfin The Bowfin, Amia calva, is the last surviving member of the order Amiiformes , and of the family Amiidae...  tolerant of brackish water.
Atractosteus Atractosteus Atractosteus is a genus of gars in the family Lepisosteidae.There are three species:* Atractosteus spatula * Atractosteus tristoechus...	Atractosteus turanensis				A gar Gar In American English the name gar is strictly applied to members of the Lepisosteidae, a family including seven living species of fish in two genera that inhabit fresh, brackish, and occasionally marine, waters of eastern North America, Central America, and the Caribbean islands.-Etymology:In...  tolerant of brackish water.
Belonostomus Belonostomus Belonostomus or Diphyodus is a genus of prehistoric fish that was described by Louis Agassiz in 1844. Fossils range from to Belonostomus (meaning "big long mouth") or Diphyodus (meaning "double tooth") is a genus of prehistoric fish that was described by Louis Agassiz in 1844. Fossils range...	Belonostomus aciculifer				An aspidorhynchid.
Psephuroides	Psephuroides kazakhorum				A paddlefish Paddlefish Paddlefish are primitive Chondrostean ray-finned fishes. The paddlefish can be distinguished by its large mouth and its elongated, spatula-like snout, called a rostrum, which is longer than the rest of the head... .

Theropods

A possible oviraptorosaur, known from a single forelimb claw. An unnamed ornithomimosaur, known from fragmentary remains. An indeterminate tyrannosaurid species, known from isolated teeth.

Theropod dinosaur Dinosaur Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of... s reported from the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Description	Images
Alectrosaurus Alectrosaurus Alectrosaurus is a genus of tyrannosaurid theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Period of Inner Mongolia. It was a bipedal carnivore with a body shape similar to its much larger relative, Tyrannosaurus rex...  sp.					Fragmentary remains which may belong to juvenile Alectrosaurus, a tyrannosaurid Tyrannosauridae Tyrannosauridae is a family of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaurs which comprises two subfamilies containing up to six genera, including the eponymous Tyrannosaurus. The exact number of genera is controversial, with some experts recognizing as few as three... .
Archaeornithomimus Archaeornithomimus Archaeornithomimus is a genus of ornithomimosaurian theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of China, 70 million years ago....	A. bissektensis			"Metatarsals."	A possible species of Archaeornithomimus, an ornithomimosaur Ornithomimosauria The Ornithomimosauria, ornithomimosaurs or ostrich dinosaurs were theropod dinosaurs which bore a superficial resemblance to modern ostriches. They were fast, omnivorous or herbivorous dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period of Laurasia... .
Caenagnathasia Caenagnathasia Caenagnathasia is a small oviraptorosaurian theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan.The type species Caenagnathasia martinsoni was named and described in 1993/1994 by Philip Currie, Stephen Godfrey and Lev Nesov...	C. martinsoni			"[Two] partial mandibles."	An oviraptorosaur Oviraptorosauria Oviraptorosaurs are a group of feathered maniraptoran dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period of what are now Asia and North America. They are distinct for their characteristically short, beaked, parrot - like skulls, with or without bony crests atop the head... .
Euronychodon Euronychodon Euronychodon is the name given to a genus of coelurosaur dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous, described by Miguel Telles Antunes and Denise Sigogneau-Russell in 1991. It is similar to another coelurosaur, Paronychodon....	E. asiaticus			A tooth.
cf. Gallimimus Gallimimus Gallimimus is a genus of ornithomimid theropod dinosaur from the late Cretaceous period Nemegt Formation of Mongolia. With individuals as long as , it was one of the largest ornithomimosaurs...  sp.					A possible ornithomimosaur or oviraptorosaur.
Horezmavis	H. eocretacea				A possible gruiform Gruiformes The Gruiformes are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like".... .
Kuszholia Kuszholia Kuszholia is the name given to a genus of primitive bird or bird-like dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous. It was possibly a coelurosaur close to the ancestry of birds, although most scientists have considered it an avialan...	K. mengi			"[Two] synsacra."
Paronychodon Paronychodon Paronychodon was a theropod dinosaur genus. It is a tooth taxon, considered dubious because of the fragmentary nature of the fossils, which include "buckets" of teeth but no other remains...	Paronychodon asiaticus				A troodontid Troodontidae Troodontidae is a family of bird-like theropod dinosaurs. During most of the 20th century, troodontid fossils were few and scrappy and they have therefore been allied, at various times, with many dinosaurian lineages... , known from isolated teeth. (Originally Euronychodon asiaticus) A possible second species of Paronychodon is also known from the Bissekty Formation.
Richardoestesia	R. asiatica				A possible dromaeosaurid Dromaeosauridae Dromaeosauridae is a family of bird-like theropod dinosaurs. They were small- to medium-sized feathered carnivores that flourished in the Cretaceous Period. The name Dromaeosauridae means 'running lizards', from Greek dromeus meaning 'runner' and sauros meaning 'lizard'... .
Platannavis	P. nana			"Sacrum."
Urbacodon Urbacodon Urbacodon is a genus of troodontid dinosaur, a type of small carnivore. It lived in Uzbekistan during the early Late Cretaceous Period, about 95 million years ago. The first part of the name Urbacodon is an acronym, honouring the Uzbek, Russian, British, American and Canadian scientists who...  sp.					A troodontid, known from isolated teeth.
Zhyraornis Zhyraornis Zhyraornis is a genus of prehistoric bird from the late Cretaceous period . Its fossils have been found in Bissekty Formation deposits near Dzharakuduk in the Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan. Two species have been assigned to this genus: Zhyraornis kashkarovi and Zhyraornis logunovi...	Z. kashkarovi				A possible ornithurine Ornithurae Ornithurae is the name of a natural group which includes all modern birds as well as their extinct relatives with plough-shaped pygostyles, a bone at the end of the tail which allows the tail feathers to fan and retract.... .

Enantiornithines

Enantiornithines reported from the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Description	Images
Abavornis Abavornis Abavornis is the name given to a genus of primitive birds from the Late Cretaceous, containing the single species A. bonaparti...	A. bonaparti			Known from a partial coracoid.	A possible enantiornithine Enantiornithes Enantiornithes is an extinct group of primitive birds. They were the most abundant and diverse avialans of the Mesozoic. Almost all retained teeth and clawed fingers on each wing, but otherwise looked much like modern birds externally. Over 50 species of Enantiornithines have been named, but some... . A possible second species of Abavornis in the Bissekty Formation is known from a partial coracoid.
Catenoleimus Catenoleimus Catenoleimus is a prehistoric bird genus from the Late Cretaceous. It lived during the mid-late Turonian stage, around 90 million years ago...	C. anachoretus				A possible enantiornithine.
Enantiornis Enantiornis Enantiornis is a genus of predatory enantiornithine bird. The type and only currently accepted species E. leali is from Late Cretaceous rocks at El Brete, Argentina....	E. martini			"Coracoid."
	E. walkeri			"Coracoid."
Explorornis Explorornis Explorornis is a genus of Mesozoic birds. It lived during the mid-late Turonian stage, around 90 million years ago.Unlinke many contemporary genera, which are only known from a handful of remains that cannot be compared among each other, Explorornis is known from a handful of coracoids which are...	E. nessovi				An enantiornithine. Possible third and fourth species of Explorornis in the Bissekty Formation are known from partial coracoids.
	E. walkeri
Ichthyornis Ichthyornis Ichthyornis is a genus of toothed seabirds from the Late Cretaceous of North America. Its fossil remains are known from the chalks of Alberta, Alabama, Kansas, New Mexico, Saskatchewan, and Texas, in strata that were laid down in the Western Interior Seaway during the Turonian-Campanian ages,...	I. minusculus			"Dorsal vertebra."	An enantiornithine originally but incorrectly identified as a species of Ichthyornis Ichthyornis Ichthyornis is a genus of toothed seabirds from the Late Cretaceous of North America. Its fossil remains are known from the chalks of Alberta, Alabama, Kansas, New Mexico, Saskatchewan, and Texas, in strata that were laid down in the Western Interior Seaway during the Turonian-Campanian ages,... .
Incolornis Incolornis Incolornis is an extinct genus of basal birds from the Late Cretaceous . Remains have been found in the Bissekty Formation in Uzbekistan.It is only known from fragmentary coracoids...	I. martini			Known from a partial coracoid.	A possible enantiornithine.
	I. silvae			Known from a partial coracoid.	A possible enantiornithine.
Kizylkumavis Kizylkumavis Kizylkumavis was an enantiornithine bird. It lived during the Late Cretaceous about 75 mya and is known from fossils found in the Bissekty Formation of the Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan....	K. cretacea			"Distal humerus."	An enantiornithine.
Kuszholia Kuszholia Kuszholia is the name given to a genus of primitive bird or bird-like dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous. It was possibly a coelurosaur close to the ancestry of birds, although most scientists have considered it an avialan...	K. mengi			"[Two] synsacra."	An enantiornithine.
Lenesornis Lenesornis Lenesornis was an enantiornithine bird. It lived during the Late Cretaceous about 78 mya and is known from fossils found in the Bissekty Formation in the Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan....	L. maltshevskyi			"Synsacrum."	A possible enantiornithine.
cf. Nanantius Nanantius Nanantius eosis the name of an Early Cretaceous species of bird. It is the only described member of the genus Nanantius at present; the supposed second species Nanantius valifanovi has turned out to be a synonym of Gobipteryx minuta. N...					An enantiornithine, similar to Nanantius eos.
Sazavis Sazavis Sazavis was an enantiornithine bird from the Late Cretaceous. It might have been related to Alexornis and Kizylkumavis and lived in what is now the Kyzyl Kum of Uzbekistan....	S. prisca			"Distal tibiotarsus."	An enantiornithine.
Zhyraornis Zhyraornis Zhyraornis is a genus of prehistoric bird from the late Cretaceous period . Its fossils have been found in Bissekty Formation deposits near Dzharakuduk in the Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan. Two species have been assigned to this genus: Zhyraornis kashkarovi and Zhyraornis logunovi...	Z. kashkarovi			"Synsacrum."
	Z. logunovi			"Synsacrum."

Turtles

An indeterminate trionychid (soft-shell) turtle species that was tolerant of brackish water.

Turtles of the Bissekty Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic Position	Abundance	Notes
"Adocus"	"Adocus" aksary				An adocid tolerant of brackish water Brackish water Brackish water is water that has more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater. It may result from mixing of seawater with fresh water, as in estuaries, or it may occur in brackish fossil aquifers. The word comes from the Middle Dutch root "brak," meaning "salty"... .
Anatolemys	Indeterminate				A "macrobaenid" tolerant of brackish water.
Khunnuchelys	Khunnuchelys kizylkumensis				A trionychid Trionychidae Trionychidae is a taxonomic family which comprises a number of turtle genera commonly known as softshells. They are also sometimes called pancake turtles. Softshells consist of some of the world's largest fresh water turtles, though many can adapt to living in highly brackish areas. Members of this...  tolerant of brackish water.
Lindholmemys	Lindholmemys elegans				A "lindholmemydid" tolerant of brackish water.
Shachemys	Shachemys ancestralis				An adocid tolerant of brackish water.