Pectodens zhenyuensis was named by Li et al. (2017) [—Small, gracile diapsid (about 38 cm long), with long tail and neck, ten premaxillary teeth, numerous elongate conical teeth forming comb-like marginal dentition, palatal teeth at least on the pterygoid present, temporal region short. At least ten, and probably eleven, or even twelve elongate cervical vertebrae bearing ribs with a short anteriorly projecting process and a long posterior shaft that extend parallel to the neck and bridge at least two intervertebral joints. Dorsals with prominent transverse processes that terminate in subcircular facets for the ribs. Between eleven and thirteen dorsal, two sacral, and 41 caudal vertebrae. The tibia as long, or just slightly longer than, the femur. An elongate metatarsal V that is not hooked.]. It is not extant. Its type specimen is IVPP V18578, a skeleton (Almost complete articulated skeleton). Its type locality is Dawazisaurus-type locality, which is in an Anisian marine horizon in the Guanling Formation of China.