Daliansaurus liaoningensis was named by
Shen et al. (2017) [Daliansaurus possesses the following autapomorphy among sinovenatorines, and troodontids more generally: the ungual of pedal digit IV is robust, dorsoventrally deep, and approximately the same size as that of pedal digit II. Another possible autapomorphy among troodontids is the presence of uncinate processes on the dorsal ribs (see discussion below). Daliansaurus differs from other sinovenatorines (Sinovenator, Sinusonasus, Mez) in that metatarsal IV lacks a prominent longitudinal flange, and in that the ventral surface of the postacetabular process of the ilum is strongly concave in lateral view (not nearly straight as in Sinovenator and Mei, condition unknown in Sinusonasus). Daliansaurus differs from Sinovenator and Sinusonasus in that metatarsal II is so short that it terminates before the trochlea of metatarsal IV begins (instead of terminating further distally than the start of the mt IV trochlea), and in that metacarpal II is slightly shorter than metacarpal III (instead of longer). Other comparative differences with other sinovenatorines are expanded on in the Comparisons section below.]. Its type specimen is DNHM D2885, a skeleton (A nearly complete skeleton), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is
Lujiatun village, Shangyuan [general] (other), which is in a Barremian/Aptian fluvial-lacustrine horizon in the Yixian Formation of China. It is the type species of
Daliansaurus.