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Ichthyosauria (ichthyosaur)

Reptilia

Taxonomy
Ichthyosauria was named by de Blainville (1835). It is not extant. It was considered monophyletic by Motani (1999).

It was reranked as the subclass Ichthyosauria by Gadow (1898) and Perrier (1928); it was corrected as Ichthyosauri by Jaekel (1910); it was reranked as the suborder Ichthyosauri by Jaekel (1911); it was synonymized subjectively with Ichthyopterygia by Swinton (1934); it was reranked as the unranked clade Ichthyosauria by Motani (1999), Sander (2000), Ji et al. (2016), Moon (2017), Moon (2019) and Lomax et al. (2024).

It was assigned to Diaptosauria by Osborn (1904); to Enaliosauri by Jaekel (1910); to Gephyrostegi by Jaekel (1911); to Catacritosauria by Hay (1930); to Parapsida by Williston (1917) and Roxo (1937); to Batrachomorphoidea by Huene (1954); to Ichthyopterygia by Sander (2000); to Diapsida by Motani et al. (1998) and Maisch and Matzke (2000); to Reptilia by Zittel (1890), Gadow (1898), Hay (1902), Perrier (1928), Kuhn (1946) and Sepkoski (2002); to Eoichthyosauria by Motani (1999), McGowan and Motani (2003), Moon (2017) and Moon (2019); to Diapsida by Osborn (1903), Osborn (1903) and Klein et al. (2020); to Ichthyopterygia by Zverkov (2022); and to Ichthyopterygia by Ji et al. (2016) and Lomax et al. (2024).

Synonyms
Synonymy list
YearName and author
1835Ichthyosauria de Blainville
1862Ichthyosaurus strombecki Meyer
1873Ichthyosaurus polaris Hulke p. 3
1878Ichthyosaurus australis Hector
1883Ichthyosaurus polyptychodon Koken
1883Rachitrema Sauvage p. 5
1883Rachitrema pellati Sauvage p. 5 figs. Pl. VI:4, VII:2-5, IX:5-6
1890Ichthyosauria Zittel p. 449
1890Rachitrema Zittel p. 722
1898Ichthyosauria Gadow p. 24
1901Rachitrema Nopcsa p. 198
1901Rachitrema pellati Nopcsa p. 198
1902Ichthyosauria Hay p. 461
1903Ichthyosauria Osborn p. 276
1904Ichthyosauria Osborn p. 113
1908Cymbospondylus polaris Merriam p. 149
1910Ichthyosauri Jaekel p. 334
1910Pessosaurus Wiman
1910Pessosaurus polaris Wiman
1911Ichthyosauri Jaekel p. 140
1916Pessosaurus suevicus von Huene p. 33
1917Ichthyosauria Williston p. 420
1928Ichthyosauria Perrier p. 3118
1930Ichthyosauria Hay p. 122
1937Ichthyosauria Roxo p. 43
1939Stenopterygius grandis Cabrera p. 497 figs. 1-3
1939Sphaerodontes Torre and Cuervo
1946Ichthysauria Kuhn p. 59
1951Pessosaurus von Huene p. 90
1954Ichthyosauria Huene p. 14
1971Pessosaurus Kuhn p. 22
1971Pessosaurus suevicus Kuhn p. 22
1988Pessosaurus Carroll
1989Pessosaurus Callaway and Brinkman p. 1492
1989Pessosaurus polaris Callaway and Brinkman p. 1492
1996Sphaerodontes caroli Iturralde-Vinent and Norell
1998Ichthyosauria Motani et al. p. 255
1999Ichthyosauria Motani fig. 1
2000Ichthyosauria Maisch and Matzke p. 93
2000Ichthyosauria Sander
2002Ichthyosauria Sepkoski
2002Pessosaurus Sepkoski
2003Ichthyosauria McGowan and Motani
2016Ichthyosauria Ji et al. p. 7
2017Ichthyosauria Moon
2019Ichthyosauria Moon p. 144
2020Ichthyosauria Klein et al.
2022Ichthyosauria Zverkov p. 465
2024Ichthyosauria Lomax et al. p. 8

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RankNameAuthor
kingdomAnimalia()
—Bilateria
—EubilateriaAx 1987
—Deuterostomia
phylumChordataHaeckel 1874
subphylumVertebrata
superclassGnathostomata
—Osteichthyes()
subclassSarcopterygii()
subclassDipnotetrapodomorpha(Nelson 2006)
subclassTetrapodomorpha()
—Tetrapoda
—Reptiliomorpha
—Anthracosauria
RankNameAuthor
subclassAmphibiosauriaKuhn 1967
—Cotylosauria()
—Amniota
—Sauropsida
classReptilia
subclassEureptilia()
—Romeriida
—Diapsida()
—Ichthyosauromorpha
—Ichthyosauriformes
—Ichthyopterygia(Owen 1840)
—Eoichthyosauria
—Ichthyosauria(de Blainville 1835)
—Ichthyosauria(de Blainville 1835)

If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.

Unr. †Ichthyosauria de Blainville 1835 [ichthyosaur]
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Unr. †Baracromia Fischer et al. 2013
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G. †Chacaicosaurus Fernandez 1994
+
†Chacaicosaurus cayi Fernandez 1994
Fm. †Ophthalmosauridae Andrews 1910
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G. †Apatodonosaurus Mehl 1928
+
†Apatodonosaurus grayi Mehl 1928
G. †Argovisaurus Miedema et al. 2024
+
†Argovisaurus martafernandezi Miedema et al. 2024
G. †Arthropterygius Maxwell 2010
+
†Arthropterygius chrisorum Russell 1993
†Arthropterygius hoybergeti Druckenmiller et al. 2012
†Arthropterygius lundi Robert et al. 2014
†Arthropterygius thalassonotus Campos et al. 2020
†Arthropterygius volgensis Kasansky 1903
G. †Baptanodon Seeley 1874
+
†Baptanodon discus Marsh 1879
Invalid names: Sauranodon Marsh 1879 [replaced]
G. †Catutosaurus Fernández et al. 2021
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†Catutosaurus gaspariniae Fernández et al. 2021
G. †Gengasaurus Paparella et al. 2017
+
†Gengasaurus nicosiai Paparella et al. 2017
G. †Keilhauia Delsett et al. 2017
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†Keilhauia nui Delsett et al. 2017
G. †Muiscasaurus Maxwell et al. 2015
+
†Muiscasaurus catheti Maxwell et al. 2015
G. †Nannopterygius Huene 1923
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†Nannopterygius saveljeviensis Arkhangelsky 1997
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Invalid names: Nannopterygius kabanovi Efimov 1999 [synonym]
Subfm. †Ophthalmosaurinae Baur 1887
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G. †Acamptonectes Fischer et al. 2012
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†Acamptonectes densus Fischer et al. 2012
G. †Cryopterygius Druckenmiller et al. 2012
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†Cryopterygius kielanae Tyborowski 2016
†Cryopterygius kristiansenae Druckenmiller et al. 2012
G. †Jabalisaurus Barrientos-Lara and Alvarado-Ortega 2021
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†Jabalisaurus meztli Barrientos-Lara and Alvarado-Ortega 2021
G. †Janusaurus Robert et al. 2014
G. †Leninia Fischer et al. 2013
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†Leninia stellans Fischer et al. 2013
G. †Mollesaurus Fernandez 1999
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†Mollesaurus periallus Fernandez 1999
G. †Ophthalmosaurus Seeley 1874
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†Ophthalmosaurus discus Marsh 1879
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Invalid names: Microdontosaurus petersonii Gilmore 1902 [synonym]
†Ophthalmosaurus icenicus Seeley 1874
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Invalid names: Ancanamunia mendozana Rusconi 1940 [synonym], Ophthalmosaurus pleydelli Lydekker 1890 [synonym]
†Ophthalmosaurus marshi Knight 1903
†Ophthalmosaurus natans Marsh 1879
†Ophthalmosaurus reedi Gilmore 1907
†Ophthalmosaurus robustus Gilmore 1905
†Ophthalmosaurus yasykovi Efimov 1999
Invalid names: Ancanamunia Rusconi 1942 [synonym], Khudiakovia Arkhangelsky 1999 [synonym], Microdontosaurus Gilmore 1902 [synonym], Yasykovia Efimov 1999 [synonym]
G. †Palvennia Druckenmiller et al. 2012
G. †Paraophthalmosaurus Arkhangelsky 1997
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Invalid names: Paraophthalmosaurus saratoviensis Arkhangelsky 1998 [nomen dubium]
G. †Undorosaurus Efimov 1999
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†Undorosaurus nessovi Efimov 1999
†Undorosaurus trautscholdi Arkhangelsky and Zverkov 2014
Invalid names: Ichthyosaurus brunsvicensis Broili 1909 [nomen dubium], Ophthalmosaurus cantabrigiensis Lydekker 1888 [nomen dubium]
Subfm. †Platypterygiinae Arkhangelsky 2001
+
G. †Acuetzpalin Barrientos-Lara and Alvarado-Ortega 2020
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†Acuetzpalin carranzai Barrientos-Lara and Alvarado-Ortega 2020
G. †Aegirosaurus Bardet and Fernandez 2000
+
+
Invalid names: Macropterygius posthumus Barthel 1990 [synonym], Macropterygius trigonus Owen 1840 [synonym]
G. †Athabascasaurus Druckenmiller and Maxwell 2010
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†Athabascasaurus bitumineus Druckenmiller and Maxwell 2010
G. †Brachypterygius Huene 1922
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†Brachypterygius alekseevi Arkhangelsky 2001
†Brachypterygius extremus Boulenger 1904
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Invalid names: Grendelius mordax McGowan 1976 [synonym]
†Brachypterygius mordax McGowan 1976
Invalid names: Brachypterygius cantabrigiensis Lydekker 1888 [nomen dubium], Grendelius McGowan 1976 [synonym], Ochevia Arkhangelsky 2001 [synonym], Otschevia Efimov 1998 [synonym]
G. †Caypullisaurus Fernández 1997
+
†Caypullisaurus bonapartei Fernández 1997
G. †Maiaspondylus Maxwell and Caldwell 2006
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†Maiaspondylus lindoei Maxwell and Caldwell 2006
G. †Parrassaurus Barrientos-Lara and Alvarado-Ortega 2021
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†Parrassaurus yacahuitztli Barrientos-Lara and Alvarado-Ortega 2021
G. †Pervushovisaurus Arkhangelsky 1998
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†Pervushovisaurus bannovkensis Arkhangelsky 1998
G. †Platypterygius von Huene 1922
+
+
Invalid names: Myopterygius petersoni Nace 1941 [synonym]
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Invalid names: Myopterygius australis McCoy 1867 [synonym], Myopterygius marathonensis Etheridge 1888 [synonym], Platypterygius longmani Wade 1990 [synonym]
†Platypterygius hauthali von Huene 1927
†Platypterygius ochevi Arkhangelsky et al. 2008
+
Invalid names: Ichthyosaurus hercynicus Kuhn 1946 [synonym]
Invalid names: Ichthyosaurus marathonensis Etheridge 1888 [nomen dubium], Longirostria Arkhangelsky 1998 [synonym], Myobradypterygius von Huene 1927 [synonym], Myopterygius Huene 1922 [synonym], Plutoniosaurus Efimov 1997 [synonym], Tenuirostria Arkhangelsky 1998 [synonym]
G. †Simbirskiasaurus Otschev and Efimov 1985
+
†Simbirskiasaurus birjukovi Otschev and Efimov 1985
G. †Sisteronia Fischer et al. 2014
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†Sisteronia seeleyi Fischer et al. 2014
G. †Sveltonectes Fischer et al. 2011
+
†Sveltonectes insolitus Fischer et al. 2011
Invalid names: Baptanodontidae Marsh 1879 [synonym], 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
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G. †Chaohusaurus Young and Dong 1972
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†Chaohusaurus brevifemoralis Huang et al. 2019
†Chaohusaurus geishanensis Young and Dong 1972
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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
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Fm. †Cymbospondylidae von Huene 1948
+
G. †Blezingeria von Huene 1951
+
G. †Cymbospondylus Leidy 1868
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†Cymbospondylus buchseri Sander 1989
†Cymbospondylus duelferi Klein et al. 2020
†Cymbospondylus natans Merriam 1908
†Cymbospondylus nevadanus Merriam 1908
†Cymbospondylus nichollsi Fröbisch et al. 2006
Invalid names: Chonespondylus Leidy 1868 [synonym], Cymbospondylus germanicus von Huene 1916 [nomen dubium], Cymbospondylus parvus von Huene 1916 [nomen dubium]
G. †Phantomosaurus Maisch and Matzke 2000
+
†Phantomosaurus neubigi Sander 1997
Fm. †Toretocnemidae Maisch and Matzke 2000
+
G. †Qianichthyosaurus Li 1999
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†Qianichthyosaurus xingyiensis Yang et al. 2013
G. †Toretocnemus Merriam 1903
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†Toretocnemus californicus Merriam 1903
†Toretocnemus zitteli Merriam 1903
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Invalid names: Merriamia zitteli Merriam 1903 [synonym]
Invalid names: Leptocheirus Merriam 1903 [replaced], Merriamia Boulanger 1904 [synonym]
Unr. †Merriamosauria Motani 1999
+
Fm. †Besanosauridae McGowan and Motani 2003
+
G. †Besanosaurus Dal Sasso and Pinna 1996
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†Besanosaurus leptorhynchus Dal Sasso and Pinna 1996
Fm. †Californosauridae Von Huene 1948
+
G. †Californosaurus Kuhn 1934
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†Californosaurus perrini Merriam 1902
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Invalid names: Shastasaurus perrini Merriam 1902 [replaced]
Invalid names: Delphinosaurus Merriam 1905 [synonym]
G. †Callawayia Maisch and Matzke 2000
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†Callawayia neoscapularis Mcgowan 1994
Fm. †Guanlingsauridae Yin et al. 2000
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G. †Mikadocephalus Maisch and Matzke 1997
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†Mikadocephalus gracilirostris Maisch and Matzke 1997
Fm. †Merriamosauridae Maisch and Matzke 2003
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G. †Merriamosaurus Maisch and Matzke 2002
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†Merriamosaurus hulkei Maisch and Matzke 2000
G. †Pessopteryx Wiman 1910
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†Pessopteryx nisseri Wiman 1910
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Invalid names: Omphalosaurus nisseri Wiman 1910 [synonym]
Fm. †Shastasauridae Merriam 1902
+
G. †Guanlingsaurus Yin et al. 2000
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†Guanlingsaurus liangae Yin et al. 2000
G. †Guizhouichthyosaurus Cao and Luo 2000
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†Guizhouichthyosaurus tangae Cao et al. 2000
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Invalid names: Cymbospondylus asiaticus Li and You 2002 [synonym], Panjiangsaurus epicharis Chen and Cheng 2003 [synonym]
G. †Ichthyotitan Lomax et al. 2024
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†Ichthyotitan severnensis Lomax et al. 2024
G. †Metashastasaurus Nicholls and Manabe 2001
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G. †Shastasaurus Merriam 1895
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†Shastasaurus alexandrae Merriam 1902
†Shastasaurus careyi Merriam 1902
†Shastasaurus pacificus Merriam 1895
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Invalid names: Shastasaurus altispinus Merriam 1902 [synonym], Shastasaurus osmonti Merriam 1902 [synonym]
†Shastasaurus sikkaniensis Nicholls and Manabe 2004
Invalid names: Shastasaurus carinthiacus von Huene 1925 [nomen dubium], Shastasaurus merriami von Huene 1916 [nomen dubium], Shastasaurus nordensis Ochev 1972 [nomen dubium]
G. †Shonisaurus Camp 1976
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†Shonisaurus popularis Camp 1976
Invalid names: Shonisaurus mulleri Camp 1976 [nomen dubium], Shonisaurus silberlingi Camp 1976 [nomen dubium]
Invalid names: Ichthyosaurus carinatus Sauvage 1876 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus rheticus Sauvage 1876 [nomen dubium], Shastasaurinae Merriam 1908 [empty], Shastasaurus sieversi Riabinin 1946 [nomen dubium]
Fm. †Shonisauridae Camp 1980
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G. †Himalayasaurus Dong 1972
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G. †Thalattoarchon Fröbisch et al. 2013
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†Thalattoarchon saurophagis Fröbisch et al. 2013
Invalid names: Euichthyosauria Motani 1999 [empty], Shastasauria Motani 1999 [empty]
Fm. †Mixosauridae Baur 1887
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G. †Barracudasauroides Maisch 2010
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†Barracudasauroides panxianensis Jiang et al. 2006
G. †Barracudasaurus Jiang et al. 2005
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G. †Mixosaurus Baur 1887
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†Mixosaurus cornalianus Bassani 1886
†Mixosaurus kuhnschneyderi Brinkmann 1998
†Mixosaurus luxiensis Fang et al. 2024
†Mixosaurus xindianensis Chen and Cheng 2010
Invalid names: Mixosaurus helveticus von Huene 1916 [nomen dubium], Mixosaurus intermedius von Huene 1916 [nomen dubium], Mixosaurus major Fraas 1891 [nomen dubium], Mixosaurus timorensis Broili 1931 [nomen dubium], Sangiorgiosaurus Brinkmann 1998 [synonym]
G. †Phalarodon Merriam 1910
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†Phalarodon atavus Quenstedt 1852
†Phalarodon callawayi Schmitz et al. 2004
†Phalarodon fraasi Merriam 1910
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Invalid names: Mixosaurus nordenskioeldi Hulke 1873 [synonym]
†Phalarodon major Maisch and Matzke 2000
Subfm. †Phalarodontinae Maisch and Matzke 2001
+
G. †Contectopalatus Maisch and Matzke 1998
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
+
†Wimanius odontopalatus 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 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. †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
+
G. †Macgowania Motani 1999
+
†Macgowania janiceps McGowan 1996
Unr. †Neoichthyosauria Sander 2000
+
G. †Dearcmhara Brusatte et al. 2015
+
†Dearcmhara shawcrossi Brusatte et al. 2015
G. †Eurhinosaurus Abel 1909
+
+
Invalid names: Eurhinosaurus huenei Swinton 1930 [synonym]
G. †Excalibosaurus McGowan 1986
+
†Excalibosaurus costini Motani 1999
G. †Hauffiopteryx Maisch 2008
+
†Hauffiopteryx typicus Von Huene 1931
G. †Leptonectes McGowan 1996
+
†Leptonectes moorei McGowan and Milner 1999
†Leptonectes solei McGowan 1993
†Leptonectes tenuirostris Conybeare 1822
+
Invalid names: Ichthyosaurus strongylostinus Hawkins 1840 [synonym]
Invalid names: Leptopterygius Huene 1929 [synonym]
Fm. †Leptonectidae Maisch 1998
+
G. †Wahlisaurus Lomax 2017
+
†Wahlisaurus massarae Lomax 2017
Invalid names: Eurhinosauria Motani 1999 [objective synonym]
G. †Temnodontosaurus Lydekker 1889
+
†Temnodontosaurus azerguensis Martin et al. 2012
†Temnodontosaurus platyodon Conybeare 1822
+
Invalid names: Ichthyosaurus oligostinus Hawkins 1840 [synonym], Temnodontosaurus risor McGowan 1974 [synonym]
†Temnodontosaurus trigonodon Theodori 1843
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: Ichthyosaurus crassimanus Tate and Blake 1876 [synonym], Ichthyosaurus longifrons Owen 1881 [synonym], Ichthyosaurus longipennis Mantell 1851 [synonym], Ichthyosaurus microdon Wagner 1851 [synonym], Ichthyosaurus zetlandicus Seeley 1880 [synonym]
†Ichthyosaurus anningae Lomax and Massare 2015
†Ichthyosaurus communis Conybeare 1821
+
Invalid names: Ichthyosaurus chiroparamekostinus Hawkins 1834 [synonym], Ichthyosaurus chiropolyostinus Hawkins 1834 [synonym], Ichthyosaurus fortimanus Owen 1884 [synonym], Ichthyosaurus intermedius Conybeare 1822 [synonym], Ichthyosaurus latimanus Owen 1840 [synonym], Ichthyosaurus polyostinus Hawkins 1840 [synonym]
†Ichthyosaurus conybeari Lydekker 1888
†Ichthyosaurus extremus Boulenger 1904
†Ichthyosaurus larkini Lomax and Massare 2017
†Ichthyosaurus longipes von Wurstemberger 1876
†Ichthyosaurus somersetensis Lomax and Massare 2017
+
Invalid names: Ichthyosaurus paramecostinus Hawkins 1840 [replaced]
†Ichthyosaurus tenuirostris Conybeare 1822
+
Invalid names: Ichthyosaurus chirostrongulostinus Hawkins 1834 [synonym], Ichthyosaurus grandipes Sharpe 1830 [synonym]
†Ichthyosaurus trigonodon Theodori 1843
†Ichthyosaurus triscissus Quenstedt 1856
Invalid names: Eurypterygius Jaekel 1904 [synonym], Gryphus Wagler 1830 [synonym], Ichthyosaurus aduncus Quenstedt 1885 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus advena Phillips 1871 [nomen nudum], Ichthyosaurus aequalis Phillips 1871 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus amalthei Quenstedt 1856 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus angustidens Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ichthyosaurus arietis Fraas 1891 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus bambergensis Bauer 1901 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus biscissus Wurstemberger 1876 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus bodenbenderi Dames 1893 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus bonneyi Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ichthyosaurus brachyspondylus Owen 1881 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus californicus Camp 1942 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus ceramensis Martin 1888 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus chalarodeirus Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ichthyosaurus coniformis Harlan 1824 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus crassicostatus Theodori 1854 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus cuvieri Valenciennes 1861 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus dilatatus Phillips 1871 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus franciscanus Camp 1942 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus giganteus Leach 1840 [nomen nudum], Ichthyosaurus hectori Lydekker 1889 [nomen nudum], Ichthyosaurus hexagonus Theodori 1854 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus hildesiensis Koken 1883 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus hygrodeirus Seeley 1969 [nomen nudum], Ichthyosaurus immanis Phillipi 1895 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus indicus Lydekker 1879 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus kokeni Broili 1908 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus lacunosae Quenstedt 1885 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus latifrons Konig 1825 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus leucopetraeus Burmeister and Giebel 1862 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus nasimowii Fahrenkohl 1856 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus normanniae Valenciennes 1861 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus numismalis Fraas 1892 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus ovalis Phillips 1871 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus planartus Theodori 1854 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus platymerus Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ichthyosaurus posthumus Wagner 1851 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus psilonoti Fraas 1891 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus quenstedti Zittel 1890 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus saladensis Rusconi 1948 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus sanjuanensis Rusconi 1949 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus sinuatus Theodori 1854 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus steleodon Bogolubow 1909 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus thyreospondylus Owen 1840 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus torrei Torre and Cuervo 1939 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus torulosi Quenstedt 1885 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus trigonus Owen 1840 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus walkeri Seeley 1869 [nomen dubium], Ichthyosaurus zollerianus Quenstedt 1858 [nomen dubium], Protoichthyosaurus prosostealis Appleby 1979 [nomen dubium], Tibetosaurus Dong 1982 [nomen dubium], Tibetosaurus tingjiensis Young et al. 1982 [nomen dubium]
G. †Protoichthyosaurus Appleby 1979
+
†Protoichthyosaurus applebyi Lomax et al. 2017
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 longipes von Wurstemberger 1876
†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]
Diagnosis
ReferenceDiagnosis
E. Perrier 1928Cou court; membres antérieurs et posiérieurs en forme de palettes, 6 doigts ou plus; à nombreusés phalanges ; queue brisée au dernier quart, et relevée vers le haut à partir de ce niveau (nageoire caudale verticale?)
M. W. Maisch and A. T. Matzke 2000"Elongate premaxillary rostrum, naris displaced posteriorly, close
to orbit, upper temporal fenestra of ichthyosaurian type (with very considerable contribution of supratemporal) present, ectopterygoid absent, thoracal ribs articulate exclusively with the centrum, hyperphalangy of manus and pes present, fibula immobile relative to femur."
C. Ji et al. 2016Sagittal eminence present but small, involving only the parietal; anterior processes of parietals narrowly sepa- rated anteriorly, forming parietal fork, and frontal dorsally visi- ble along the pineal foramen; ulna peripheral shaft notched or absent; iliac blade plate-like; posterior dorsal centra discoidal; sacral ribs absent.
B. C. Moon 2019All taxa more closely related to Ichthyosau- rus communis than to Grippia longirostris [stem-based] (Motani 1999c).
Measurements
No measurements are available
Composition: hydroxyapatiteo
Environment: marineo
Locomotion: actively mobileo
Life habit: nektonico
Diet: carnivoreo
Reproduction: viviparouso
Created: 2009-07-20 06:07:40
Modified: 2010-02-23 00:20:57
Source: o = order
Reference: Kiessling 2004

Age range: base of the Olenekian to the top of the Cenomanian or 251.20000 to 93.90000 Ma

Collections (522 total)

Oldest occurrences

Time interval Ma Country or state Original ID and collection number
Griesbachian - Smithian251.902 - 247.2Canada (British Columbia) Utatsusaurus sp. (196982)
Triassic251.902 - 201.4Germany (Bavaria) Mixosaurus intermedius (214577)
Triassic251.902 - 201.4USA (Nevada) Cymbospondylus petrinus, Chonespondylus grandis (101860)
Triassic251.902 - 201.4Germany (Aargau) Mixosaurus helveticus (214578)
Triassic251.902 - 201.4USA (California) Leptocheirus zitteli (149577) Shastasaurus alexandrae, Shastasaurus osmonti (153314)
Smithian251.3 - 247.2Canada (British Columbia) Grippia longirostris (105082) Pessosaurus sp., Phalarodon fraasi, Mixosaurus nordenskioeldii (85452) Phalarodon nordenskioeldii (105083 152277) Utatsusaurus sp. (127262)
Smithian - Spathian251.3 - 247.2USA (Idaho) Cymbospondylus sp. (90338)
Spathian251.3 - 247.2Norway (Svalbard) Grippia longirostris (196800)
Spathian251.3 - 247.2China (Anhui) Chaohusaurus sp. (155584) Chensaurus chaoxianensis (37180 37181) Chensaurus chaoxianensis, Chaohusaurus geishanensis, Chensaurus faciles (144395)
Spathian251.3 - 247.2Svalbard and Jan Mayen Ichthyosaurus polaris, Mixosaurus nordenskioeldi (149381) Merriamosaurus hulkei (196986) Omphalosaurus sp. (196857) Pessopteryx minor, Pessopteryx nisseri (196985) Quasianosteosaurus vikinghoegdai (120222)

Youngest occurrences
Time interval Ma Country or state PBDB collection number
Early/Lower Cenomanian99.6 - 93.5France (Normandy) Platypterygius sp. (142837)
Early/Lower Cenomanian99.6 - 93.5India (Tamil Nadu) Platypterygius indicus (110178)
Early/Lower Cenomanian99.6 - 93.5Russian Federation (Saratov) Ichthyosauria indet. (92403)
Early/Lower Cenomanian99.6 - 93.5United Kingdom (England) Ichthyosaurus campylodon (49496)
Early/Lower Cenomanian99.6 - 93.5United Kingdom Sisteronia seeleyi (166721)
Middle Cenomanian99.6 - 93.5Russian Federation (Volgograd) Ichthyosauria indet. (92399)
Middle Cenomanian99.6 - 93.5India Platypterygius sp. (214382)
Middle Cenomanian99.6 - 93.5USA (Wyoming) Myopterygius petersoni (105791)
Middle Cenomanian99.6 - 93.5Russian Federation (Saratov) Platypterygius bannovkensis, Ichthyosauria indet. (138038)
Middle Cenomanian - Late/Upper Cenomanian99.6 - 93.5Germany (Bavaria) Platypterygius sp. (214381)