Skip to content
Surf Wiki
Save to docs
general/ichthyosauria

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

List of ichthyosauromorph genera

none


Summary

none

This list of ichthyosauromorphs is a comprehensive listing of all genera that have ever been included in the clade Ichthyosauromorpha, excluding purely vernacular terms. The list includes all commonly accepted genera, but also genera that are now considered invalid, doubtful (nomen dubium), or were not formally published (nomen nudum), as well as junior synonyms of more established names, and genera that are no longer considered ichthyopterygian. Non-ichthyosaur ichthyopterygians shall be noted as such. This list contains **** genera.

Scope and terminology

There is no official, canonical list of ichthyosauromorph genera but one of the most thorough attempts can be found at the "Ichthyosauromorpha" section of Mikko Haaramo's Phylogeny Archive.

Naming conventions and terminology follow the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Technical terms used include:

  • Junior synonym: A name which describes the same taxon as a previously published name. If two or more genera are formally designated and the type specimens are later assigned to the same genus, the first to be published (in chronological order) is the senior synonym, and all other instances are junior synonyms. Senior synonyms are generally used, except by special decision of the ICZN, but junior synonyms cannot be used again, even if deprecated. Junior synonymy is often subjective, unless the genera described were both based on the same type specimen.
  • Nomen nudum (Latin for "naked name"): A name that has appeared in print but has not yet been formally published by the standards of the ICZN. Nomina nuda (the plural form) are invalid, and are therefore not italicized as a proper generic name would be. If the name is later formally published, that name is no longer a nomen nudum and will be italicized on this list. Often, the formally published name will differ from any nomina nuda that describe the same specimen. In this case, these nomina nuda will be deleted from this list in favor of the published name.
  • Preoccupied name: A name that is formally published, but which has already been used for another taxon. This second use is invalid (as are all subsequent uses) and the name must be replaced. As preoccupied names are not valid generic names, they will also go unitalicized on this list.
  • Nomen dubium (Latin for "dubious name"): A name describing a fossil with no unique diagnostic features. As this can be an extremely subjective and controversial designation, this term is not used on this list.

The list

GenusAuthorsYearStatusAgeLocationNotesImages
author=Fischer,V.author2=Maisch, M.W.author3=Naish, D.author4=Kosma, R.author5=Liston, J.author6=Joger, U.author7=Krüger, F.J.author8=Pérez,J.P.author9=Tainsh, J.author10=Appleby, R.M.year=2012title=New Ophthalmosaurid Ichthyosaurs from the European Lower Cretaceous Demonstrate Extensive Ichthyosaur Survival across the Jurassic–Cretaceous Boundaryjournal=PLOS ONEvolume=7issue=1article-number=e29234doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0029234pmid=22235274pmc=3250416bibcode=2012PLoSO...729234Fdoi-access=free }}Fischer et al.2012ValidEarly CretaceousGermany
United Kingdom
(England)Possessed an unusually rigid trunk, which would make the extent of its lateral locomotion very limited[[File:Acamptonectes NT.jpg200px]]
ActiosaurusSauvage1883DubiousLate TriassicFranceWhile originally described as a dinosaur and later reinterpreted as an ichthyosaur, it may actually represent a choristodere[[File:Actiosaurus.jpg200px]]
author1=Jair Israel Barrientos Laraauthor2=Jesús Alvarado Ortegaauthor3=Marta S.Fernándezyear=2020title=Acuetzpalin carranzai gen et sp. nov. A new ophthalmosauridae (Ichthyosauria) from the Upper Jurassic of Durango, North Mexicojournal=Journal of South American Earth Sciencesvolume=98article-number=102456doi=10.1016/j.jsames.2019.102456bibcode=2020JSAES..9802456Bs2cid=213102661 }}Barrientos-Lara & Alvarado-Ortega2020ValidLate JurassicMexicoKnown from a partial limbless skeleton with a well-preserved skull
last1 = Bardetfirst1 = Nlast2 = Fernándezfirst2 = Myear = 2000title = A new ichthyosaur from the Upper Jurassic lithographic limestones of Bavariajournal = Journal of Paleontologyvolume = 74issue = 3pages = 503–511doi=10.1666/0022-3360(2000)0742.0.co;2s2cid = 131190803url = http://doc.rero.ch/record/14941/files/PAL_E2088.pdf }}Bardet & Fernández2000ValidLate Jurassic to Early CretaceousFrance
GermanyFour of its caudal vertebrae made its tail to bend roughly 45° downwards[[File:Unnamed ichthyosaur Blumenberg.jpg200px]]
AnhuisaurusChen1985Jr. synonymN/AN/APreoccupied by lizard genus Anhuisaurus (Hou, 1974). Junior synonym of Chaohusaurus
last1=Miedemafirst1=Feikolast2=Bastiaansfirst2=Dylanlast3=Scheyerfirst3=Torsten M.last4=Klugfirst4=Christianlast5=Maxwellfirst5=Erin E.date=2024-03-16title=A large new Middle Jurassic ichthyosaur shows the importance of body size evolution in the origin of the Ophthalmosauriajournal=BMC Ecology and Evolutionvolume=24issue=1page=34doi=10.1186/s12862-024-02208-3pmid=38493100doi-access=freeissn=2730-7182pmc=10944604 }}Miedema et al.2024ValidMiddle JurassicSwitzerlandMay have preserved traumatic injuries based on abnormalities in its skeleton[[File:Argovisaurus Life Restoration.png200px]]
ArthropterygiusMaxwell2010ValidLate Jurassic to Early Cretaceous?Argentina
Canada
Norway
RussiaIts rostrum was relatively short and robust[[File:Arthropterygius Scale.svg200px]]
AthabascasaurusDruckenmiller & Maxwell2010ValidEarly CretaceousCanadaThe holotype was discovered at an oilsand mine[[File:Athabascasaurus bitumineus holotype.jpg200px]]
last1=Zverkovfirst1=N.G.last2=Grivorievfirst2=D.V.last3=Wolnieviczfirst3=A.S.last4=Konstantinovfirst4=A.G.last5=Sobolevfirst5=E.S.year=2021title=Ichthyosaurs from the Upper Triassic (Carnian–Norian) of the New Siberian Islands, Russian Arctic, and their implications for the evolution of the ichthyosaurian basicranium and vertebral columnjournal= Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburghvolume=113pages=51–74doi=10.1017/S1755691021000372s2cid=245153589 }}Zverkov et al.2021ValidLate TriassicRussiaSuggested to be a small-bodied animal although its exact ontogenetic stage is uncertain due to fragmentary remains
last1=Renfirst1=Jichenglast2=Jiangfirst2=Haishuilast3=Xiangfirst3=Kunpenglast4=Sullivanfirst4=Corwinlast5=Hefirst5=Yongzhonglast6=Chengfirst6=Longlast7=Hanfirst7=Fengludate=2022-04-07title=A new basal ichthyosauromorph from the Lower Triassic (Olenekian) of Zhebao, Guangxi Autonomous Region, South Chinajournal=PeerJlanguage=envolume=10article-number=e13209doi=10.7717/peerj.13209issn=2167-8359pmc=8995025pmid=35415016doi-access=free }}Ren et al.2022ValidEarly TriassicChinaVery similar to Utatsusaurus[[File:Baisesaurus (holotype, CUGW VH107).png200px]]
BaptanodonMarsh1880ValidLate JurassicUnited StatesFormerly erroneously thought to have been toothless[[File:Gilmore Notes on Osteology of Baptanodon Plate XXXVI.png200px]]
BarracudasauroidesMaisch2010ValidMiddle TriassicChinaOnly known from a partial skeleton originally referred to Mixosaurus[[File:Barracudasauroides NT.jpg200px]]
BarracudasaurusJiang et al.2005DubiousMiddle TriassicChinaIts premaxillary teeth were rounded in cross-section
BesanosaurusDal Sasso & Pinna1996ValidMiddle TriassicItaly
SwitzerlandMay have had strong jaw muscles as indicated by its skull bones[[File:BesanosaurusDB15.jpg200px]]
last = Sepkoskifirst = Jacktitle = A compendium of fossil marine animal genera (entry on Reptilia)journal = Bulletins of American Paleontologyvolume = 364page=560year = 2002url = http://strata.geology.wisc.edu/jack/showgenera.php?taxon=663&rank=classaccess-date = 2008-09-28}}von Huene1922ValidLate JurassicUnited Kingdom
(England)Closely related to Platypterygius and Caypullisaurus[[File:Brachypterygius NT small.jpg200px]]
CalifornosaurusKuhn1934ValidMiddle Triassic to Late TriassicGermany
United StatesOriginally named as a species of Shastasaurus[[File:Californosaurus2 NT small.jpg200px]]
CallawayiaMaische & Matzke2000ValidLate TriassicCanadaThe morphology of its scapulae was more similar to those of Jurassic ichthyosaurs than to other Triassic taxa[[File:Callawayia SW.png200px]]
CartorhynchusMotani et al.2014ValidEarly TriassicChinaRepresents a sudden diversification of marine reptiles that occurred shortly after the Permian-Triassic extinction event[[File:Cartorhynchus NT.jpg200px]]
CatutosaurusFernández et al.2021ValidLate JurassicArgentinaRepresented by at least three fragmentary specimens
CaypullisaurusFernández1997ValidLate Jurassic to Early CretaceousArgentinaEach of its forelimbs contained ten digits[[File:Caypullisaurus Dak1.jpg200px]]
last = Haaramofirst = Mikkotitle = Euichthyosauriawork = Mikko's Phylogeny Archivedate=11 March 2004url = http://www.helsinki.fi/~mhaaramo/metazoa/deuterostoma/chordata/reptilia/ichthyosauromorpha/euichthyosauria.htmlaccess-date = 9 October 2008}}Fernández1994ValidMiddle JurassicArgentinaInconsistent in phylogenetic placement[[File:Chacaicosaurus_SW.png200px]]
ChaohusaurusYoung & Dong1972ValidEarly TriassicChinaOne specimen preserves the remains of two embryos and a neonate[[File:Chaohusaurus BW.jpg200px]]
ChensaurusMazin et al.1991Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Chaohusaurus
ChonespondylusLeidy1868Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Cymbospondylus
last1 = Maischlast2 = Matzkefirst2 = A. T.year = 2000title = The mixosaurid ichthyosaur Contectopalatus from the Middle Triassic of the German Basinjournal = Lethaiavolume = 33issue = 2pages = 71–74doi=10.1080/00241160050150186bibcode = 2000Letha..33...71M }}Maische & Matzke1998Jr. synonym?N/AN/APossibly a junior synonym of Phalarodon
author=Patrick S. Druckenmillerauthor2=Jørn H. Hurumauthor3=Espen M. Knutsenauthor4=Hans Arne Nakremname-list-style=ampyear=2012title=Two new ophthalmosaurids (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Agardhfjellet Formation (Upper Jurassic: Volgian/Tithonian), Svalbard, Norwayjournal=Norwegian Journal of Geologyvolume=92issue=2–3pages=311–339url=https://njg.geologi.no/images/NJG_articles/NJG_2_3_2012_17_Druckenmiller_etal_Pr.pdf }}Druckenmiller et al.2012Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Undorosaurus
CymbospondylusLeidy1868ValidEarly Triassic to Middle TriassicSwitzerland
United StatesLacked a dorsal fin and fluked tail, which would suggest it probably swam by wriggling its body from side to side like a modern sea snake[[File:Cymbospondylus youngorum reconstruction 2023.jpg200px]]
DearcmharaBrusatte et al.2015ValidEarly Jurassic to Middle JurassicUnited Kingdom
(Scotland)The first ichthyosaur discovered in Scotland
DelphinosaurusEichwald1853DubiousEarly Cretaceous to Late CretaceousRussiaOriginally mistakenly believed to be an amphibian
EretmorhipisChen et al.2015ValidEarly TriassicChinaExhibited a suite of unusual features, such as relatively small eyes, a platypus-like snout, and plates on its back similar to those of stegosaurs[[File:Eretmorhipis complete.jpg200px]]
EternautaCampos et al.2025ValidLate JurassicArgentinaMay have relied on deep-diving while hunting its prey as suggested by its preserved scleral ring[[File:Skull of Eternauta patagonica.jpg200px]]
EurhinosaurusAbel1909ValidEarly JurassicBelgium
France
Germany
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Switzerland
United Kingdom
(England)Its upper jaw was twice as long as the lower jaw, convergent with billfish[[File:Eurhinosaurus BW.jpg200px]]
EurypterygiusJaekel1904Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Ichthyosaurus
ExcalibosaurusMcGowan1986ValidEarly JurassicUnited Kingdom
(England)May have been a rare component of its environment as only two skeletons are known[[File:Excalibosaurus_BW.jpg200px]]
last1=Massarefirst1=Judy A.last2=Edmundsfirst2=Murraylast3=Morrisfirst3=Robert J.last4=Poultonfirst4=Terence P.last5=En Panfirst5=Shyonglast6=Mallonfirst6=Jordan C.date=June 2025title=The most complete Early Jurassic ichthyosaur from North Americajournal=Paludicolapublisher=Rochester Institute of Vertebrate Paleontologyvolume=15issue=2pages=86–99language=enurl=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/392596228}}Massare et al.2025ValidEarly JurassicCanadaThe most complete ichthyosaur known from the Early Jurassic of North America
last1=Pratas e Sousafirst1=Joaolast2=Roldãofirst2=Isabellast3=Rios-Ibanezfirst3=Marialast4=Puertólas-Pascualfirst4=Eduardodate=2025title=A new ichthyosaur from the Lower Jurassic of Portugal (Iberian Peninsula)url=https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app011992024.htmljournal=Acta Palaeontologica Polonicavolume=70issue=1pages=179–192doi=10.4202/app.01199.2024doi-access=freehdl=10362/187789hdl-access=free }}Pratas e Souza et al.2025ValidEarly JurassicPortugalAlthough the majority of the cranial sutures are completely fused, which is often seen in adult ichthyosaurs, the midline suture is not fused, which would indicate the holotype belonged to either a juvenile or subadult individual[[File:Gadusaurus (holotype, ML 2750).png200px]]
GengasaurusPaparella et al.2017ValidLate JurassicItalyBefore its formal description, it had been nicknamed the "Genga ichthyosaur"
GrendeliusMcGowan1976ValidLate JurassicRussia
United Kingdom
(England)Once considered to be synonymous with Brachypterygius[[File:Otshevia2DB.jpg200px]]
GrippiaWiman1930ValidEarly TriassicCanada
China
Greenland
Japan
NorwayMembers of this genus may have swum by moving their tails laterally, similar to an eel[[File:Grippia1DB.jpg200px]]
GuanlingsaurusYin et al.2000ValidLate TriassicChinaHas been suggested to be an Asian species of Shastasaurus[[File:Guanlingsaurus restoration.jpg200px]]
GuizhouichthyosaurusCao & Luo2000ValidMiddle Triassic to Late TriassicChinaTwo morphotypes of skulls and limbs are known, which could be an indication of sexual dimorphism[[File:Guizhouichthyosaurus SW.png200px]]
author=Robin S. Cuthbertsonauthor2=Anthony P. Russellauthor3=Jason S. Andersonname-list-style=ampyear=2013title=Cranial morphology and relationships of a new grippidian (Ichthyopterygia) from the Vega-Phroso Siltstone Member (Lower Triassic) of British Columbia, Canadajournal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontologyvolume=33issue=4pages=831–847doi=10.1080/02724634.2013.755989bibcode=2013JVPal..33..831Cs2cid=131501541 }}Cuthbertson et al.2013ValidEarly TriassicCanadaOriginally thought to belong to either Grippia or Parvinatator
HauffiopteryxMaisch2008ValidEarly JurassicGermany
Luxembourg
Switzerland
United Kingdom
(England)Distinguished by its short, very thin snout[[File:Hauffiopteryx SW 1.png200px]]
HimalayasaurusDong1972ValidLate TriassicChinaSimilarly to Thalattoarchon, its teeth possessed distinctive cutting edges[[File:Himalayasaurus.png200px]]
HudsonelpidiaMcGowan1995ValidLate TriassicCanadaThe holotype specimen is almost complete[[File:Hudsonelpidia.jpg200px]]
last = Haaramofirst = Mikkotitle = Ichthyosauromorphawork = Mikko's Phylogeny Archivedate=14 July 2004url = http://www.helsinki.fi/~mhaaramo/metazoa/deuterostoma/chordata/reptilia/ichthyosauromorpha/ichthyosauromorpha.htmlaccess-date = 9 October 2008}}Young1972ValidEarly TriassicChinalast1=Motanifirst1=Ryosukelast2=Pyensonfirst2=Nicholas D.last3=Jiangfirst3=Da-yongyear=2025title=Was Hupehsuchus a baleen whale-style filter feeder in the Early Triassic? A re-examination of the evidencejournal=PeerJvolume=13article-number=e19666doi=10.7717/peerj.19666doi-access=freepmc=12232927}}[[File:Hupehsuchus.jpg200px]]
IchthyosaurusDe la Beche & Conybeare1821ValidEarly JurassicBelgium
Germany
Portugal
United Kingdom
(England)The first ichthyosaur genus to be validly named and described[[File:Ichthyosaurus BW.jpg200px]]
last1=Lomaxfirst1=D. R.last2=de la Sallefirst2=P.last3=Perillofirst3=M.last4=Reynoldsfirst4=J.last5=Reynoldsfirst5=R.last6=Waldronfirst6=J. F.title=The last giants: New evidence for giant Late Triassic (Rhaetian) ichthyosaurs from the UKyear=2024journal=PLOS ONEvolume=19issue=4at=e0300289doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0300289doi-access=freepmid=38630678pmc=11023487bibcode=2024PLoSO..1900289L }}Lomax et al.2024ValidLate TriassicUnited Kingdom
(England)The largest ichthyosaur and marine reptile currently known[[File:Ichthyotitan severnensis speculative restoration.png200px]]
IsfjordosaurusMotani1999ValidEarly TriassicNorwayNamed as a species of Pessopteryx before being assigned to its own genus
JabalisaurusBarrientos-Lara & Alvarado-Ortega2021ValidLate JurassicMexicoOriginally believed to be a specimen of Ophthalmosaurus
author=Aubrey Jane Robertsauthor2=Patrick Scott Druckenmillerauthor3=Glenn-Peter Sætreauthor4=Jørn Harald Hurumname-list-style=ampyear=2014title=A New Upper Jurassic Ophthalmosaurid Ichthyosaur from the Slottsmøya Member, Agardhfjellet Formation of Central Spitsbergenjournal=PLOS ONEvolume=9issue=8article-number=e103152doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0103152pmid=25084533pmc=4118863bibcode=2014PLoSO...9j3152Rdoi-access=free }}Roberts et al.2014ValidLate JurassicNorwaylast1=Delsettfirst1=L. L.last2=Robertsfirst2=A. J.last3=Druckenmillerfirst3=P. S.last4=Hurumfirst4=J. H.year=2019title=Osteology and phylogeny of Late Jurassic ichthyosaurs from the Slottsmøya Member Lagerstätte (Spitsbergen, Svalbard)journal=Acta Palaeontologica Polonicavolume=64issue=4pages=717–743doi=10.4202/app.00571.2018s2cid=210294877doi-access=freehdl=10852/76089hdl-access=free}}[[File:Janusaurus.png200px]]
last1=Болатовнаfirst1=Якупова Джамиляlast2=Максутовичfirst2=Ахмеденов Кажмуратdate=2021title=НОВЫЙ ВИД KAZAKHSTANOSAURUS EFIMOVI YAKUPOVA ET AKHMEDENOV SP. NOV. (ICHTHYOSAURIA, UNDOROSAURIDAE) ИЗ ВЕРХНЕЮРСКИХ ОТЛОЖЕНИЙ СРЕДНЕГО ПОВОЛЖЬЯ РОССИИurl=https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/novyy-vid-kazakhstanosaurus-efimovi-yakupova-et-akhmedenov-sp-nov-ichthyosauria-undorosauridae-iz-verhneyurskih-otlozheniy-srednegojournal=Ученые записки Казанского университета. Серия Естественные наукиvolume=163issue=2pages=251–263issn=2542-064X}}Bolatovna & Makustovich2021ValidLate JurassicKazakhstan
RussiaTwo species are known
KeilhauiaDelsett et al.2017ValidEarly CretaceousNorwayCan be distinguished from other ophthalmosaurids by the wide top end of the ilium and exceptionally short ischiopubis compared to the femur[[File:Keilhauia Scale.svg200px]]
last1=Cortésfirst1=D.last2=Maxwellfirst2=E.E.last3=Larssonfirst3=H.C.E.year=2021title=Re-appearance of hypercarnivore ichthyosaurs in the Cretaceous with differentiated dentition: revision of 'Platypterygius' sachicarum (Reptilia:Ichthyosauria, Ophthalmosauridae) from Colombiajournal=Journal of Systematic Palaeontologyvolume=19issue=14pages=969–1002doi= 10.1080/14772019.2021.1989507bibcode=2021JSPal..19..969Cs2cid=244512087doi-access=free }}Cortés et al.2021ValidEarly CretaceousColombiaFormerly thought to represent a species of Platypterygius, but it was assigned to its own genus due to morphological differences[[File:Kyhytysuka sachicarum FINAL.png200px]]
author=Valentin Fischerauthor2=Maxim S. Arkhangelskyauthor3=Gleb N. Uspenskyauthor4=Ilya M. Stenshinauthor5=Pascal Godefroitauthor5-link=Pascal Godefroitname-list-style=ampyear=2013title=A new Lower Cretaceous ichthyosaur from Russia reveals skull shape conservatism within Ophthalmosaurinaejournal=Geological Magazinevolume=151issue=1pages=60–70doi=10.1017/S0016756812000994bibcode=2014GeoM..151...60Fdoi-access=free }}Fischer et al.2013ValidEarly CretaceousRussiaOne of the latest-surviving ophthalmosaurines
last1=Qiaofirst1=Y.last2=Iijimafirst2=M.last3=Liufirst3=J.title=A new hupehsuchian (Reptilia: Ichthyosauromorpha) with widely spaced autopodium from the marine Lower Triassic of South Chinajournal=Journal of Systematic Palaeontologyyear=2025volume=23article-number=2560884doi=10.1080/14772019.2025.2560884 }}Qiao, Iijima & Liu2025ValidEarly TriassicChinaPossessed unusually wide autopodia compared to other hupehsuchians[[File:Lentamanusuchus (holotype, HFUT YZSB-19-100).png200px]]
LeptocheirusMerriam1903Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Toretocnemus
LeptonectesMcGowan1996ValidLate Triassic to Early JurassicBelgium
Germany
Spain
United Kingdom
(England)One referred specimen reported from Switzerland has been found to actually belong to the related Hauffiopteryx[[File:Leptonectes SW 1.png200px]]
Huene1929Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Leptonectes
MacgowaniaMotani1999ValidLate TriassicCanadaOriginally misidentified as a species of Ichthyosaurus[[File:Macgowania janiceps holotype (cropped).jpg200px]]
Macropterygiusvon Huene1922DubiousLate JurassicUnited Kingdom
(England)Several specimens have been assigned to this genus, but only the type, a single vertebra, can confidently be referred to it
last1=W. Maischfirst1=Michaellast2=T. Matzkefirst2=Andreastitle=Magnipterygius huenei n. gen. n. sp., a new small stenopterygiid (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Posidonienschiefer Formation of SW Germanyjournal=Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Abhandlungendate=2022volume=303issue=2pages=169–201doi=10.1127/njgpa/2022/1042s2cid=246797718url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358495106access-date=10 February 2022}}Maisch & Matzke2022ValidEarly JurassicGermanyShares some features with Stenopterygius[[File:Magnipterygius_huenei.png200px]]
MaiaspondylusMaxwell & Caldwell2006ValidEarly Cretaceous to Late CretaceousCanada
Russia
United Kingdom
(England)One particular specimen proves this genus, just like other ichthyosaurs, was viviparous[[File:Maiaspondylus.png200px]]
author=Valentin Fischerauthor2=Robert M. Applebyauthor3=Darren Naishauthor4=Jeff Listonauthor5=James B. Ridingauthor6=Stephen Brindleyauthor7=Pascal Godefroitname-list-style=ampyear=2013title=A basal thunnosaurian from Iraq reveals disparate phylogenetic origins for Cretaceous ichthyosaursjournal=Biology Lettersvolume=9issue=4article-number=20130021doi=10.1098/rsbl.2013.0021pmid=23676653pmc=3730615}}Fischer et al.2013ValidEarly CretaceousIraqRelatively basal compared to other Cretaceous ichthyosaur taxa[[File:Malawania.jpg200px]]
MerriamiaBoulenger1904Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Toretocnemus
MetashastasaurusNicholls & Manabe2001Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Callawayia
last = Haaramofirst = Mikkotitle = Ichthyosauriawork = Mikko's Phylogeny Archivedate=11 March 2008url = http://www.helsinki.fi/~mhaaramo/metazoa/deuterostoma/chordata/reptilia/ichthyosauromorpha/ichthyosauria.htmlaccess-date = 9 October 2008}}Maisch & Matzke1997Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Besanosaurus
MixosaurusBaur1887ValidMiddle TriassicChina
Italy
SwitzerlandVarious species have been named, but most have been considered doubtful or assigned to new genera[[File:Mixosaurus cornalianus SW 1.png200px]]
MollesaurusFernández1999ValidMiddle JurassicArgentinaThe oldest known ophthalmosaurid
MuiscasaurusMaxwell et al.2015ValidEarly CretaceousColombiaMay have been a specialized predator that fed on small, soft prey
Myobradypterygiusvon Huene1927ValidEarly CretaceousArgentina
Chile?Once thought to be a species of Platypterygius
Myopterygiusvon Huene1922Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Platypterygius
NanchangosaurusWang1959ValidMiddle TriassicChinaIts back carried bony scutes, not unlike an alligator[[File:Nanchangosaurus.png200px]]
Nannopterygiusvon Huene1922ValidMiddle Jurassic to Early CretaceousKazakhstan
Norway
Russia
United Kingdom
(England)Similar to Ophthalmosaurus but with smaller flippers. Six species are recognized[[File:Yasikovia2.jpg200px]]
OmphalosaurusMerriam1906ValidEarly Triassic to Middle TriassicAustria
Norway
Poland
United StatesIts bones were relatively fast-growing as evidenced by the presence of woven-fibered bone tissue[[File:Omphalosaurus10DB.jpg200px]]
last = Haaramofirst = Mikkotitle = Ophthalmosauriawork = Mikko's Phylogeny Archivedate=11 March 2008url = http://www.helsinki.fi/~mhaaramo/metazoa/deuterostoma/chordata/reptilia/ichthyosauromorpha/ophthalmosauria.htmlaccess-date = 9 October 2008}}Seeley1874ValidMiddle Jurassic to Late JurassicUnited Kingdom
(England)Noted for its proportionally large eyes, which could measure between 22 - in diameter[[File:Ophthalmosaurus icenicus updated reconstruction.png200px]]
OtscheviaEfimov1998Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Grendelius
Pachygonosaurusvon Huene1916DubiousMiddle TriassicPolandOnly definitively known from two vertebrae[[File:Pachygonosaurus vertebrae.png200px]]
PalvenniaDruckenmiller et al.2012ValidLate JurassicNorwayOne study considered it to be a junior synonym of Arthropterygius, but this was not supported by later research
PanjiangsaurusChen & Chang2003Jr. synonymN/AN/Aauthor1=Shang Qing-Huaauthor2=Li Chunyear=2009title=On the occurrence of the ichthyosaur Shastasaurus in the Guanling Biota (Late Triassic), Guizhou, Chinajournal=Vertebrata PalAsiaticavolume=47issue=3pages=178–193url=http://www.ivpp.cas.cn/cbw/gjzdwxb/xbwzxz/200909/P020090917531791680790.pdf}}
ParahupehsuchusChen et al.2014ValidEarly TriassicChinaUnlike other hupehsuchians, it possessed flat, wide ribs[[File:Parahupehsuchus.png200px]]
ParaophthalmosaurusArkhangelsky1997Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Nannopterygius
ParrassaurusBarrientos-Lara & Alvarado-Ortega2021ValidLate JurassicMexicoRelatively large for an ophthalmosaurid[[File:Parrassaurus 01.jpg200px]]
ParvinatatorNicholls & Brinkman1995ValidEarly Triassic to Middle TriassicCanadaThe only known specimen has a badly damaged skull[[File:Parvinatator reconstruction.png200px]]
PessopteryxWiman1910ValidEarly TriassicNorwayOriginally known from four species, but only the type can confidently be assigned to the genus
PessosaurusWiman1910ValidMiddle TriassicNorwayTwo species have been described
PhalarodonMerriam1910ValidMiddle TriassicCanada
China
Germany
Norway
Switzerland?
United StatesMostly known from specimens consisting of cranial remains[[File:Contectopalatus atavus.png200px]]
PhantomosaurusMaisch & Matzke2000ValidMiddle TriassicGermanyAlthough it was closely related to Cymbospondylus, its braincase resembled more that of other diapsids than other ichthyosaurs[[File:Phantomosaurus cf neubigi 3.jpg200px]]
Platypterygiusvon Huene1922ValidEarly Cretaceous to Late CretaceousAustralia
Colombia
Germany
United StatesSeveral species have been named, but most may not be diagnostic or belong to this genus[[File:Platypterigius longmani DB.jpg200px]]
PlutoniosaurusEfimov1997Dubious?Early CretaceousRussiaMay be identical to Simbirskiasaurus
ProteosaurusHome1819Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Ichthyosaurus
ProtoichthyosaurusAppleby1979ValidEarly JurassicSwitzerland?
United Kingdom
(England)last1=Lomaxfirst1=D.R.author-link=Dean Lomaxlast2=Massarefirst2=J.A.last3=Mistryfirst3=R.T.name-list-style=ampyear=2017title=The taxonomic utility of forefin morphology in Lower Jurassic ichthyosaurs: Protoichthyosaurus and Ichthyosaurusjournal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontologyvolume=37issue=5article-number=e1361433doi=10.1080/02724634.2017.1361433s2cid=90238537url=https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/the-taxonomic-utility-of-forefin-morphology-in-lower-jurassic-ichthyosaurs-protoichthyosaurus-and-ichthyosaurus(ff48fdc1-8ea2-4b7e-9d28-e6f55825130b).html}}[[File:Protoichthyosaurus NT.png200px]]
QianichthyosaurusLi1999ValidLate TriassicChinaA relatively common component of its habitat, known from remains of both juvenile and pregnant individuals[[File:Qianichthyosaurus.jpg200px]]
QuasianosteosaurusMaisch & Matzke2003ValidEarly TriassicNorwayHad the largest skull of any Early Triassic ichthyosaur
RachitremaSauvage1883DubiousLate TriassicFranceInitially believed to be a dinosaur[[File:Rachitrema.jpg200px]]
SangiorgiosaurusBrinkmann1998Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Mixosaurus
SclerocormusJiang et al.2016ValidEarly TriassicChinaUnusually proportioned with a heavily built trunk, long tail, and small head[[File:Sclerocormus_small.jpg200px]]
ShastasaurusMerriam1895ValidLate TriassicCanada?
China?
United StatesA referred species, which was one of the largest marine reptiles, estimated at 21 m long, has been suggested by several analyses to belong to either this genus or Shonisaurus[[File:Shastasaurus pacificus restoration.jpg200px]]
ShonisaurusCamp1976ValidLate TriassicUnited StatesOne of the largest ichthyosaurs yet known. State fossil of Nevada[[File:Shonisaurus popularisDB.jpg200px]]
SimbirskiaOtschev & Efimov1985Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Platypterygius
SimbirskiasaurusOtschev & Efimov1985ValidEarly CretaceousRussiaClosely related to Platypterygius
author=Valentin Fischerauthor2=Nathalie Bardetauthor3=Myette Guiomarauthor4=Pascal Godefroitname-list-style=ampyear=2014title=High Diversity in Cretaceous Ichthyosaurs from Europe Prior to Their Extinctionjournal=PLOS ONEvolume=9issue=1article-number=e84709doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0084709pmid=24465427pmc=3897400bibcode=2014PLoSO...984709Fdoi-access=free }}Fischer et al.2014ValidEarly CretaceousFrance
United Kingdom
(England)Its discovery suggests a greater diversity of ichthyosaurs from Early Cretaceous Europe than previously thought[[File:Sisteronia.png200px]]
StenopterygiusJaekel1904ValidEarly Jurassic to Middle JurassicFrance
Germany
Luxembourg
Switzerland
United Kingdom
(England)One well-known specimen proves that ichthyosaur infants were born tail-first, just like cetaceans, to prevent them from drowning before fully clearing the birth canal[[File:Stenopterygius Horn Final.jpg200px]]
SuevoleviathanMaisch1998ValidEarly JurassicGermanyHad uniquely large forefins compared to other ichthyosaurs[[File:Suevoleviathan SW 1.png200px]]
SumpallaCampos et al.2021ValidLate JurassicArgentinaOriginally thought to be a specimen of Aegirosaurus[[File:Artistic reconstruction of Sumpalla argentina.jpg200px]]
SvalbardosaurusMazin1981DubiousEarly TriassicNorwayAlthough initially described as an ichthyosaur, it was later suggested to be an amphibian
SveltonectesFischer et al.2011ValidEarly CretaceousRussiaIts teeth have an unusual morphology
TemnodontosaurusLydekker1889ValidEarly JurassicBelgium
Chile?
France
Germany
Italy
Luxembourg
Switzerland
United Kingdom
(England)Possibly had the largest eyes of any known animal, rivaling those of a colossal squid in size[[File:Temnodontosaurus_BW.jpg200px]]
ThaisaurusMazin et al.1991ValidEarly TriassicThailandThe first and fifth metacarpals are identical in size[[File:Thaisaurus chonglakmanii 5.JPG200px]]
author1=Megan L. Jacobsauthor2=David M. Martillyear=2020title=A new ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur from the Upper Jurassic (Early Tithonian) Kimmeridge Clay of Dorset, UK, with implications for Late Jurassic ichthyosaur diversityjournal=PLOS ONEvolume=15issue=12article-number=e0241700doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0241700pmid=33296370pmc=7725355bibcode=2020PLoSO..1541700Jdoi-access=free }}Jacobs & Martill2020ValidLate JurassicUnited Kingdom
(England)May be closely related to Nannopterygius[[File:Thalassodraco Scale.svg200px]]
author=Nadia B. Fröbischauthor2=Jörg Fröbischauthor3=P. Martin Sanderauthor4=Lars Schmitzauthor5=Olivier Rieppelname-list-style=ampyear=2013title=Macropredatory ichthyosaur from the Middle Triassic and the origin of modern trophic networksjournal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of Americavolume= 110issue= 4doi=10.1073/pnas.1216750110pages=1393–1397pmid=23297200pmc=3557033bibcode=2013PNAS..110.1393Fdoi-access=free }}Fröbisch et al.2013ValidMiddle TriassicUnited StatesThe apex predator of its ecosystem, filling an ecological role similar to orcas[[File:Thalattoarchon saurophagis.jpg200px]]
Tholodusvon Meyer1851ValidMiddle TriassicChina?
Germany
Italy
Mainly known from teeth and fragments of jaws[[File:Tholodus schmidi mandible.jpg200px]]
ToretocnemusMerriam1903ValidLate TriassicMexico
United StatesHad very large eye sockets and narrow jugals[[File:Toretocnemus NT.png200px]]
TypicusichthyosaurusYin et al.2000Jr. synonym?N/AN/Alast1=Maischfirst1=M. W.last2=Panfirst2=X. R.last3=Sunfirst3=Z. Y.last4=Caifirst4=T.last5=Zhangfirst5=D. P.last6=Xiefirst6=J. L.year=2006title=Cranial osteology of Guizhouichthyosaurus tangae (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Upper Triassic of Chinajournal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontologyvolume=26issue=3pages=588–597doi=10.1671/0272-4634(2006)26[588:COOGTR]2.0.CO;2s2cid=129117115 }}
UndorosaurusEfimov1999ValidLate JurassicNorway
Poland
RussiaCan be distinguished from Ophthalmosaurus by characters of its ischiopubis and teeth[[File:Ундорозавр (Ихтиозавр (Ichthyopterygia)) Музей палеонтологии. Ундоры. Ульяновская обл. Ноябрь 2013 - panoramio.jpg200px]]
UtatsusaurusShikama et al.1978ValidEarly TriassicCanada
JapanThe earliest known ichthyopterygian[[File:Utatsusaurus_NT_new.png200px]]
WahlisaurusLomax2016ValidEarly JurassicUnited Kingdom
(England)Its shoulder girdle is markedly different from that of Eurhinosaurus[[File:Wahlisaurus NT small.jpg200px]]
WimaniusMaisch & Matzke1998ValidMiddle TriassicSwitzerlandHas been recovered in a variety of phylogenetic positions within the Hueneosauria[[File:Wimanius Holotype.jpg200px]]
XinminosaurusJiang et al.2008ValidMiddle TriassicChinaHas been suggested to be synonymous with Tholodus
last1=Lomaxfirst1=Dean R.last2=Massarefirst2=Judy A.last3=Maxwellfirst3=Erin E.date=2025-10-09title=A new long and narrow-snouted ichthyosaur illuminates a complex faunal turnover during an undersampled Early Jurassic (Pliensbachian) intervaljournal=Papers in Palaeontologylanguage=envolume=11issue=5article-number=e70038doi=10.1002/spp2.70038issn=2056-2802doi-access=free}}Lomax, Massare & Maxwell2025ValidEarly JurassicUnited Kingdom
(England)Probably closely related to Hauffiopteryx[[File:Xiphodracon (holotype, ROM VP52596).jpg200px]]
YasykoviaEfimov1999Jr. synonymN/AN/AJunior synonym of Nannopterygius

|- |}

References

References

  1. Fischer,V.. (2012). "New Ophthalmosaurid Ichthyosaurs from the European Lower Cretaceous Demonstrate Extensive Ichthyosaur Survival across the Jurassic–Cretaceous Boundary". PLOS ONE.
  2. (2020). "''Acuetzpalin carranzai'' gen et sp. nov. A new ophthalmosauridae (Ichthyosauria) from the Upper Jurassic of Durango, North Mexico". Journal of South American Earth Sciences.
  3. (2000). "A new ichthyosaur from the Upper Jurassic lithographic limestones of Bavaria". Journal of Paleontology.
  4. (2024-03-16). "A large new Middle Jurassic ichthyosaur shows the importance of body size evolution in the origin of the Ophthalmosauria". BMC Ecology and Evolution.
  5. (2021). "Ichthyosaurs from the Upper Triassic (Carnian–Norian) of the New Siberian Islands, Russian Arctic, and their implications for the evolution of the ichthyosaurian basicranium and vertebral column". Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
  6. (2022-04-07). "A new basal ichthyosauromorph from the Lower Triassic (Olenekian) of Zhebao, Guangxi Autonomous Region, South China". [[PeerJ]].
  7. Dal Sasso, Cristiano and Giovanni Pinna, 1996. Besanosaurus leptorhynchus n. gen. n. sp., a new shastasaurid ichthyosaur from the Middle Triassic of Besano (Lombardy, N. Italy). Paleontologia Lombarda, Nuova seire Volume IV: 1-23.
  8. Sepkoski, Jack. (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera (entry on Reptilia)". Bulletins of American Paleontology.
  9. Ryosuke Motani. (2014). "A basal ichthyosauriform with a short snout from the Lower Triassic of China". Nature.
  10. (2021-01-02). "Catutosaurus gaspariniae , gen. et sp. nov. (Ichthyosauria, Thunnosauria) of the Upper Jurassic of Patagonia and the evolution of the ophthalmosaurids". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
  11. Haaramo, Mikko. (11 March 2004). "Euichthyosauria". Mikko's Phylogeny Archive.
  12. (2000). "The mixosaurid ichthyosaur Contectopalatus from the Middle Triassic of the German Basin". Lethaia.
  13. Patrick S. Druckenmiller. (2012). "Two new ophthalmosaurids (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Agardhfjellet Formation (Upper Jurassic: Volgian/Tithonian), Svalbard, Norway". Norwegian Journal of Geology.
  14. Stephen L. Brusatte. (2015). "Ichthyosaurs from the Jurassic of Skye, Scotland". Scottish Journal of Geology.
  15. Xiao-hong Chen. (2015). "A New Specimen of Carroll's Mystery Hupehsuchian from the Lower Triassic of China". PLOS ONE.
  16. (2025-10-12). "''Eternauta patagonica'' gen. et sp. nov.: a new ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur from the Upper Jurassic of Patagonia and its palaeoecological implications". [[Historical Biology]].
  17. (June 2025). "The most complete Early Jurassic ichthyosaur from North America". Rochester Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology.
  18. (2025). "A new ichthyosaur from the Lower Jurassic of Portugal (Iberian Peninsula)". [[Acta Palaeontologica Polonica]].
  19. Robin S. Cuthbertson. (2013). "Cranial morphology and relationships of a new grippidian (Ichthyopterygia) from the Vega-Phroso Siltstone Member (Lower Triassic) of British Columbia, Canada". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
  20. Haaramo, Mikko. (14 July 2004). "Ichthyosauromorpha". Mikko's Phylogeny Archive.
  21. (2025). "Was ''Hupehsuchus'' a baleen whale-style filter feeder in the Early Triassic? A re-examination of the evidence". PeerJ.
  22. (2024). "The last giants: New evidence for giant Late Triassic (Rhaetian) ichthyosaurs from the UK". [[PLOS ONE]].
  23. (2021-11-01). "A new ophthalmosaurid (Ichthyosauria) from the Upper Kimmeridgian deposits of the La Casita Formation, near Gómez Farías, Coahuila, northern Mexico". Journal of South American Earth Sciences.
  24. Aubrey Jane Roberts. (2014). "A New Upper Jurassic Ophthalmosaurid Ichthyosaur from the Slottsmøya Member, Agardhfjellet Formation of Central Spitsbergen". PLOS ONE.
  25. (2019). "Osteology and phylogeny of Late Jurassic ichthyosaurs from the Slottsmøya Member Lagerstätte (Spitsbergen, Svalbard)". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.
  26. (2021). "НОВЫЙ ВИД KAZAKHSTANOSAURUS EFIMOVI YAKUPOVA ET AKHMEDENOV SP. NOV. (ICHTHYOSAURIA, UNDOROSAURIDAE) ИЗ ВЕРХНЕЮРСКИХ ОТЛОЖЕНИЙ СРЕДНЕГО ПОВОЛЖЬЯ РОССИИ". Ученые записки Казанского университета. Серия Естественные науки.
  27. (2017). "A New Ophthalmosaurid (Ichthyosauria) from Svalbard, Norway, and Evolution of the Ichthyopterygian Pelvic Girdle". PLOS ONE.
  28. (2021). "Re-appearance of hypercarnivore ichthyosaurs in the Cretaceous with differentiated dentition: revision of '''Platypterygius' sachicarum'' (Reptilia:Ichthyosauria, Ophthalmosauridae) from Colombia". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.
  29. Valentin Fischer. (2013). "A new Lower Cretaceous ichthyosaur from Russia reveals skull shape conservatism within Ophthalmosaurinae". Geological Magazine.
  30. (2025). "A new hupehsuchian (Reptilia: Ichthyosauromorpha) with widely spaced autopodium from the marine Lower Triassic of South China". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.
  31. (2022). "Magnipterygius huenei n. gen. n. sp., a new small stenopterygiid (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Posidonienschiefer Formation of SW Germany". Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Abhandlungen.
  32. Valentin Fischer. (2013). "A basal thunnosaurian from Iraq reveals disparate phylogenetic origins for Cretaceous ichthyosaurs". Biology Letters.
  33. Haaramo, Mikko. (11 March 2008). "Ichthyosauria". Mikko's Phylogeny Archive.
  34. (1998). "Mikadocephalus gracilirostris n. gen., n. sp., a new ichthyosaur from the Grenzbitumenzone (Anisian-Ladinian) of Mont San Giorgio (Switzerland)". Paläontologische Zeitschrift.
  35. Haaramo, Mikko. (11 March 2008). "Ophthalmosauria". Mikko's Phylogeny Archive.
  36. (2009). "On the occurrence of the ichthyosaur Shastasaurus in the Guanling Biota (Late Triassic), Guizhou, China". Vertebrata PalAsiatica.
  37. (2011). "Short-Snouted Toothless Ichthyosaur from China Suggests Late Triassic Diversification of Suction Feeding Ichthyosaurs". PLOS ONE.
  38. Barrientos-Lara, J. I.; Alvarado-Ortega, J. (2021). "A new Tithonian ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur from Coahuila in northeastern Mexico". Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology. in press. doi:10.1080/03115518.2021.1922755.
  39. (2017). "The taxonomic utility of forefin morphology in Lower Jurassic ichthyosaurs: ''Protoichthyosaurus'' and ''Ichthyosaurus''". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
  40. Valentin Fischer. (2014). "High Diversity in Cretaceous Ichthyosaurs from Europe Prior to Their Extinction". PLOS ONE.
  41. (2021). "Morphological disparity in the evolution of the ophthalmosaurid forefin: new clues from the Upper Jurassic of Argentina". Papers in Palaeontology.
  42. (2020). "A new ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur from the Upper Jurassic (Early Tithonian) Kimmeridge Clay of Dorset, UK, with implications for Late Jurassic ichthyosaur diversity". PLOS ONE.
  43. Nadia B. Fröbisch. (2013). "Macropredatory ichthyosaur from the Middle Triassic and the origin of modern trophic networks". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
  44. (2006). "Cranial osteology of ''Guizhouichthyosaurus tangae'' (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Upper Triassic of China". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
  45. (2009). "On the occurrence of the ichthyosaur ''Shastasaurus'' in the Guanling biota (Late Triassic), Guizhou, China". Vertebrata PalAsiatica.
  46. (2025-10-09). "A new long and narrow-snouted ichthyosaur illuminates a complex faunal turnover during an undersampled Early Jurassic (Pliensbachian) interval". [[Papers in Palaeontology]].
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about List of ichthyosauromorph genera — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report