This large tyrannosaurid theropod dinosaur roamed northeastern China during the Early Cretaceous period. Its most distinctive characteristic is the presence of extensive plumage, evidence of which has been found in fossilized remains. The holotype specimen, along with other individuals discovered, provides critical insights into the evolution of feathered dinosaurs and their distribution.
The discovery of this dinosaur significantly altered perceptions of tyrannosauroid evolution. It demonstrated that large-bodied dinosaurs, even tyrannosaurids, could possess feathers, likely for insulation in colder climates. The fossils also offer valuable information regarding the paleoclimate and paleoecology of the Jehol Biota, a rich fossil assemblage from the region. Its existence challenges previous assumptions about the relationship between body size and feather presence in dinosaurs.
