A basal ceratopsian with transitional features from the Late Jurassic of northwestern China

Holotype IVPP V14530 preserves a nearly complete articulated skeleton and small skull from the Shishugou Formation; its basal ceratopsian and marginocephalian implications are character-matrix results, not a direct ancestor or global ceratopsian FAD.

Yinlong is anchored by nearly complete holotype IVPP V14530 from the Late Jurassic Shishugou Formation; this specimen-level occurrence is not a global ceratopsian first appearance or a direct ancestor.

Yinlong downsi is based on holotype IVPP V14530, and the study recovers the taxon as a basal ceratopsian in its sampled character matrix; that analysis is not evidence of an uncontested relationship or direct ancestry.

Holotype IVPP V14530 is a nearly complete skeleton missing only the distal tail; the primary description records its broad post-orbital skull region, shallow pre-orbital region and diagnostic cranial features, all limited to the named specimen.

This profile's geographic statement is limited to Wucaiwan in the Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, China, and the upper Shishugou Formation horizon reported for IVPP V14530; it does not establish a global distribution.

The primary description estimates the IVPP V14530 individual at about 120 cm and interprets its short forelimbs and robust hindlimbs as compatible with bipedality; diet, habitat preference, guild and observed behaviour are not directly resolved by this anatomy and matrix study.