PBDB Taxon

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Ichthyopterygia

Reptilia

Taxonomy

Ichthyopterygia was named by Owen (1840). It was considered monophyletic by Motani (1999).

It was reranked as the suborder Ichthyopterygia by Owen (1859); it was synonymized subjectively with Ichthyosauria by Hay (1902), Osborn (1904), Hay (1930); it was synonymized subjectively with Ichthyosauri by Jaekel (1910); it was reranked as the superorder Ichthyopterygia by Nopcsa (1928); it was reranked as the subclass Ichthyopterygia by Haughton and Brink (1954); it was reranked as the unranked clade Ichthyopterygia by Moon (2017), Moon (2019).

It was assigned to Enaliosauria by Owen (1859); to Enaliosauri by Owen (1861); to Monozygocrotapha by Nopcsa (1928); to Reptilia by Owen (1860), Cope (1871), Cope (1875), Günther (1886), Woodward (1898), Swinton (1934), Haughton and Brink (1954); to Archosauria by Carroll (1988); to Diapsida by Motani (1999); and to Ichthyosauriformes by Moon (2017), Moon (2019).

Subtaxa

Ekbainacanthus, Eoichthyosauria, Euichthyopterygia, Grippidia, Grippoidea, Heteropinnatoidea, Ichthyoterus, Latipinnatoidea, Macropterygius, Mixosauroidea, Omphalosaurus merriami, Pachygonosaurus, Perrinosaurus, Rotundopteryx, Spitsbergenosaurus

Sister taxa

Grippidia, Heteropinnatoidea, Latipinnatoidea, Mixosauroidea

Year	Name and author
1840	Ichthyopterygia Owen
1847	Ichthyoterus Rouiellier
1847	Ichthyoterus fischeri Rouiellier
1859	Ichthyopterygia Owen p. 149
1860	Ichthyopterygia Owen p. 198
1861	Ichthyopterygia Owen p. 218
1871	Ichthyopterygia Cope p. 235
1875	Ichthyopterygia Cope p. 15
1886	Ichthyopterygia Günther p. 442
1898	Ichthyopterygia Woodward p. 141
1902	Ekbainacanthus Yakowlew
1902	Ekbainacanthus tschernyschewi Yakowlew
1916	Pachygonosaurus von Huene p. 39
1922	Macropterygius Huene
1928	Ichthyopterygia Nopcsa p. 167
1934	Ichthyopterygia Swinton p. 63
1938	Perrinosaurus Merriam
1948	Macropterygius incognitus Rusconi p. 148
1951	Macropterygius von Huene p. 90
1951	Pachygonosaurus von Huene p. 90
1954	Ichthyopterygia Haughton and Brink p. 3
1967	Macropterygius Appleby p. 137
1981	Spitsbergenosaurus Mazin
1981	Spitsbergenosaurus crassidens Mazin
1988	Ichthyopterygia Carroll
1997	Pachygonosaurus robustus Maisch and Matzke
1999	Ichthyopterygia Motani p. 475
2000	Rotundopteryx Maisch and Matzke p. 65
2002	Macropterygius Sepkoski
2010	Omphalosaurus merriami Maisch p. 160
2017	Ichthyopterygia Moon
2019	Ichthyopterygia Moon p. 143

Unr. †Ichthyopterygia Owen 1840

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Unr. †Eoichthyosauria Motani 1999

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Unr. †Grippidia Wiman 1929

G. †Gulosaurus Cuthbertson et al. 2013

†Gulosaurus helmi Cuthbertson et al. 2013

Unr. †Ichthyosauria de Blainville 1835 [ichthyosaur]

Unr. †Baracromia Fischer et al. 2013

G. †Chacaicosaurus Fernandez 1994

†Chacaicosaurus cayi Fernandez 1994

Fm. †Ophthalmosauridae Andrews 1910

G. †Apatodonosaurus Mehl 1928

G. †Argovisaurus Miedema et al. 2024

G. †Arthropterygius Maxwell 2010

G. †Baptanodon Seeley 1874

Invalid names: Sauranodon Marsh 1879 [replaced]

G. †Catutosaurus Fernández et al. 2021

G. †Gengasaurus Paparella et al. 2017

G. †Keilhauia Delsett et al. 2017

G. †Muiscasaurus Maxwell et al. 2015

G. †Nannopterygius Huene 1923

Subfm. †Ophthalmosaurinae Baur 1887

Subfm. †Platypterygiinae Arkhangelsky 2001

Invalid names: Baptanodontidae Marsh 1879 [synonym], Brachypterygiidae Cortes et al. 2021 [empty], Ichthyosaurus doughtyi Seeley 1869 [nomen dubium], Platypterygiidae Bardet 1995 [empty]

G. †Cetarthrosaurus Seeley 1873

†Cetarthrosaurus walkeri Seeley 1869

G. †Ghuizhouichthyosaurus Cao and Luo 2000

Fm. †Grippiidae Wiman 1929

G. †Chaohusaurus Young and Dong 1972

†Chaohusaurus brevifemoralis Huang et al. 2019

†Chaohusaurus chaoxianensis Chen 1985

†Chaohusaurus geishanensis Young and Dong 1972

Invalid names: Chensaurus faciles Chen 1985 [objective synonym]

†Chaohusaurus zhangjiawanensis Chen et al. 2013

Invalid names: Anhuisaurus Chen 1985 [synonym], Anhuisaurus Chen 1985 [synonym], Chaohusaurus brevifemoralis Huang et al. 2019 [valid], Chaohusaurus chaoxianensis Chen 1985 [valid], Chaohusaurus geishanensis Young and Dong 1972 [valid], Chaohusaurus zhangjiawanensis Chen et al. 2013 [valid], Chensaurus Mazin Suteethora et al. 1991 [synonym], Chensaurus Mazin Suteethora et al. 1991 [synonym]

G. †Grippia Wiman 1929

†Grippia longirostris Wiman 1929

G. †Guanlingichthyosaurus Yin et al. 2000

Unr. †Hueneosauria Maisch and Matzke 2000

Subor. †Longipinnati Huene 1948

Fm. †Cymbospondylidae von Huene 1948

Fm. †Toretocnemidae Maisch and Matzke 2000

Unr. †Merriamosauria Motani 1999

Fm. †Besanosauridae McGowan and Motani 2003

Fm. †Californosauridae Von Huene 1948

Fm. †Guanlingsauridae Yin et al. 2000

Fm. †Merriamosauridae Maisch and Matzke 2003

Fm. †Shastasauridae Merriam 1902

Fm. †Shonisauridae Camp 1980

G. †Thalattoarchon Fröbisch et al. 2013

Invalid names: Euichthyosauria Motani 1999 [empty], Shastasauria Motani 1999 [empty]

Fm. †Mixosauridae Baur 1887

G. †Barracudasauroides Maisch 2010

G. †Barracudasaurus Jiang et al. 2005

G. †Mixosaurus Baur 1887

Invalid names: Sangiorgiosaurus Brinkmann 1998 [synonym]

G. †Phalarodon Merriam 1910

Subfm. †Phalarodontinae Maisch and Matzke 2001

Invalid names: Ancanamuninae Rusconi 1942 [empty], Mixosaurinae Baur 1887 [empty]

Invalid names: Merriamosauriformes McGowan and Motani 2003 [empty]

G. †Isfjordosaurus Motani 1999

†Isfjordosaurus minor Motani 1999

Superfm. †Latipinnatoidea Huene 1923

Invalid names: Eurypterygiidae Jaekel 1904 [empty]

Subor. †Mixosauria Motani 1999

Fm. †Wimaniidae Maisch 2010

G. †Wimanius Maisch and Matzke 1998

G. †Nanchangasaurus Wang 1959

Fm. †Omphalosauridae Merriam 1906

G. †Chaohusaurus Young and Dong 1972

†Chaohusaurus brevifemoralis Huang et al. 2019

†Chaohusaurus chaoxianensis Chen 1985

†Chaohusaurus geishanensis Young and Dong 1972

Invalid names: Chensaurus faciles Chen 1985 [objective synonym]

†Chaohusaurus zhangjiawanensis Chen et al. 2013

G. †Omphalosaurus Merriam 1906

†Omphalosaurus nettarhynchus Mazin and Bucher 1987

†Omphalosaurus nevadanus Merriam 1906

†Omphalosaurus wolfi Tichy 1995

G. †Tholodus Von Meyer 1851

†Tholodus schmidi Von Meyer 1851

G. †Xinminosaurus Jiang et al. 2008

†Xinminosaurus catactes Jiang et al. 2008

Fm. †Parvinatatoridae McGowan and Motani 2003

G. †Parvinatator Nicholls and Brinkman 1995

†Parvinatator wapitiensis Nicholls and Brinkman 1995

Unr. †Parvipelvia Motani 1999

G. †Hudsonelpidia McGowan 1995

†Hudsonelpidia brevirostris McGowan 1995

G. †Macgowania Motani 1999

†Macgowania janiceps McGowan 1996

Unr. †Neoichthyosauria Sander 2000

G. †Dearcmhara Brusatte et al. 2015

G. †Eurhinosaurus Abel 1909

G. †Excalibosaurus McGowan 1986

G. †Hauffiopteryx Maisch 2008

G. †Leptonectes McGowan 1996

Invalid names: Leptopterygius Huene 1929 [synonym]

Fm. †Leptonectidae Maisch 1998

Invalid names: Eurhinosauria Motani 1999 [objective synonym]

G. †Temnodontosaurus Lydekker 1889

Invalid names: Suevoleviathanidae Maisch 2001 [empty], Temnodontosauridae McGowan 1974 [empty]

G. †Suevoleviathan Maisch 1998

†Suevoleviathan disinteger von Huene 1926

†Suevoleviathan integer Bronn 1844

Invalid names: Hudsonelpidiidae McGowan and Motani 2003 [empty], Leptonectoidea McGowan and Motani 2003 [empty], Macgowaniidae McGowan and Motani 2003 [empty], Temnodontosauroidea McGowan and Motani 2003 [empty]

Fm. †Proteosauridae Hay 1902

G. †Proteosaurus Home 1819

†Proteosaurus platyodon Conybeare 1822

Invalid names: Ichthyosaurus chiroligostinus Hawkins 1834 [synonym], Ichthyosaurus lonchiodon Owen 1840 [synonym]

Fm. †Quasianosteosauridae Maisch and Matzke 2003

G. †Quasianosteosaurus Maisch and Matzke 2003

†Quasianosteosaurus vikinghoegdai Maisch and Matzke 2003

Superfm. †Shastosauroidea Tatarinov 1964

Invalid names: Undorosauridae Efimov 1999 [empty]

Fm. †Thaisauridae Maisch 2010

G. †Thaisaurus Mazin et al. 1991

†Thaisaurus chonglakmanii Mazin et al. 1991

Unr. †Thunnosauria Motani 1999

Fm. †Ichthyosauridae Bonaparte 1841

G. †Ichthyosaurus Koenig 1818

Invalid names: Eurypterygius Jaekel 1904 [synonym], Gryphus Wagler 1830 [synonym]

G. †Protoichthyosaurus Appleby 1979

G. †Malawania Fischer et al. 2013

†Malawania anachronus Fischer et al. 2013

G. †Stenopterygius Jaekel 1904

†Stenopterygius aaleniensis Maxwell et al. 2012

†Stenopterygius cayi Fernandez 1994

†Stenopterygius cuneiceps McGowan 1979

†Stenopterygius longifrons Owen 1881

†Stenopterygius longipes von Wurstemberger 1876

†Stenopterygius macrophasma McGowan 1979

†Stenopterygius megacephalus von Huene 1922

†Stenopterygius megalorhinus von Huene 1922

†Stenopterygius quadriscissus Quenstedt 1858

†Stenopterygius triscissus Quenstedt 1856

†Stenopterygius uniter von Wurstemberger 1876

Invalid names: Stenopterygius banzensis Heune 1922 [nomen dubium], Stenopterygius hauffianus von Huene 1922 [nomen dubium], Stenopterygius promegacelaphus Maisch 2008 [nomen dubium]

Invalid names: Stenopterygiidae Kühn 1934 [empty]

Fm. †Utatsusauridae McGowan and Motani 2003

G. †Utatsusaurus Shikama and Kamei 1978

†Utatsusaurus hataii Shikama and Kamei 1978

Invalid names: Ichthyosauroidea Fitzinger 1826 [empty], Ichthyosaurus australis Hector 1878 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus polyptychodon Koken 1883 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus strombecki Meyer 1862 [nomen dubium], Longipinnatoidea Huene 1923 [empty], Pessosaurus Wiman 1910 [nomen dubium], Rachitrema Sauvage 1883 [nomen dubium], Sphaerodontes Torre and Cuervo 1939 [nomen dubium], Stenopterygius grandis Cabrera 1939 [nomen dubium]

Or. †Heteropinnatoidea Appleby 1979

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Invalid names: Leptopterygiidae Kuhn 1934 [empty], Protoichthyosauridae Appleby 1979 [empty]

Invalid names: Ekbainacanthus Yakowlew 1902 [nomen dubium], Euichthyopterygia Motani 1999 [empty], Grippidia Wiman 1933 [empty], Grippoidea Ji et al. 2016 [empty], Ichthyoterus Rouiellier 1847 [nomen dubium], Latipinnatoidea Huene 1948 [empty], Macropterygius Huene 1922 [nomen dubium], Mixosauroidea Appleby 1979 [empty], Omphalosaurus merriami Maisch 2010 [nomen dubium], Pachygonosaurus von Huene 1916 [nomen dubium], Perrinosaurus Merriam 1938 [nomen dubium], Rotundopteryx Maisch and Matzke 2000 [nomen dubium], Spitsbergenosaurus Mazin 1981 [nomen dubium]

Reference	Diagnosis
R. Owen 1860	The bones of the head still include the supplementary "post-orbitals" and "supra-temporals," but there are small temporal and other vacuities between the cranial bones : a "foramen parietale," a single convex occipital condyle, and one vomer which is edentulous. Two antorbital nostrils. Vertebral centra, ossified, biconcave. Pleurapophyses of the trunk long and bent, the anterior ones with bifurcate heads. Teeth with converging folds of cement at their base ; implanted in a common alveolar groove, and confined to the maxillary, premaxillary, and premandibular bones. Premaxillaries much exceeding the maxillaries in size. Orbit very large ; a circle of sclerotic plates. Limbs natatory ; with more than five multi-articulate digits ; no sacrum. With the retention of characters which indicate, as in the preceding orders, an affinity to the higher Ganoid fishes, the present exclusively marine Reptilia more directly exemplify the ichthyic type in the proportions of the premaxillary and maxillary bones, in the shortness and great number of the biconcave vertebrae, in the length of the pleurapophyses of the vertebras near the head, in the large proportional size of the eyeball and its well-ossified sclerotic coat, and especially in the structure of the pectoral and ventral fins.
R. Owen 1861	The bones of the head still include the supplementary "postorbitals" and "supra-temporals," and there is a "foramen parietale;" but there are small temporal and other vacuities between the cranial bones, a single convex occipital condyle, and one vomer which is edentulous.