The genus was described on January 9, 2013 in an article that was published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology by Jingmai Kathleen O'Connor, Yuguang Zhang, Luis Maria Chiappe, Qingjin Meng, Li Quanguo and Liu Di.
The Chinese activist Liu Di, writing under the screen name "Stainless Steel Rat" (不锈钢老鼠), became a high-profile symbol for democracy and free speech in China since her detention in November 2002.
Lucy Liu | Liu Bei | Liu Ruyi | Liu Xiang | Liu Shaoqi | Liu Kang | Jesseca Liu | Liu Yunshan | Liu Yan (general) | Liu Yan | Liu Tang | Bernice Liu | Liu Yazi | Liu Yao | Liu Qi | Liu Hong | Liu Bocheng | Laurin Liu | Eric Liu | Masaki Liu | Liu Zhang | Liu You | Liu Yongfu | Liu Yifei | Liu Yang (violinist) | Liu Yang | Liu Xiaobo | Liu Xian | Liu Wu | Liu Wenhui |