PBDB Taxon

Basic info	Taxonomic history	Classification	Included Taxa
Morphology	Ecology and taphonomy	External Literature Search	Age range and collections

Saurischia (saurischian)

Osteichthyes

Taxonomy

Saurischia was named by Seeley (1888). It is extant. It was considered monophyletic by Nesbitt (2011).

It was synonymized subjectively with Praepubici by Jaekel (1910), Jaekel (1911); it was reranked as the suborder Saurischia by Parks (1935), Gorscak et al. (2014); it was reranked as the subclass Saurischia by Bakker and Galton (1974); it was reranked as the unranked clade Saurischia by Swinton (1934), Gauthier and Padian (1985), Gauthier (1986), Brinkman and Sues (1987), Gauthier et al. (1989), Novas (1989), Rowe (1989), Benton (1990), Novas (1992), Novas (1992), Novas (1993), Sereno et al. (1993), Novas (1996), Sereno (1997), Sereno (1998), Sereno (1999), Maisch and Matzke (2003), Langer (2004), Irmis (2005), Langer and Benton (2006), Ezcurra (2006), Martínez and Alcober (2009), Nesbitt (2011), Bittencourt and Langer (2011), Cabreira et al. (2011), Novas et al. (2011), Taylor et al. (2011), Lacovara et al. (2014), You et al. (2014), Lü and Brusatte (2015), Sereno (2017), Longrich et al. (2017), Apaldetti et al. (2018), Martz and Small (2019), Pacheco et al. (2019), Zahner and Brinkmann (2019), Müller and Garcia (2020), Lamanna et al. (2020), Poust et al. (2020), Motta et al. (2020), Baiano et al. (2020), Chure and Loewen (2020), Lim et al. (2023), Agnolin et al. (2023), Averianov et al. (2024), Lovelace et al. (2025), Qiu et al. (2025), Li et al. (2025), Chen et al. (2025), Dai et al. (2025), Wang et al. (2025), Boschetto et al. (2026), Srivastava and Nesbitt (2026), Hu et al. (2026).

It was assigned to Archosauromorpha by Huene (1948); to Archosauromorpha by Huene (1954); to Dinosauria by Bakker and Galton (1974); to Reptilia by Seeley (1888), Lull (1924), Parks (1928), Kuhn (1946), Estes (1964), Ellenberger (1972), del Corro (1975), Madsen and Miller (1979), Benton (1979); to Archosauria by Haughton and Brink (1954), Parsch (1963), Kuhn (1964), Romer (1966), Charig (1967), Haubold (1971), Haubold (1974), Thulborn (1975), Thurmond and Jones (1981); to Archosauria by Roxo (1937), Romer (1956), Ostrom (1980), Carroll (1988); to Eudinosauria by Novas (1992), Novas (1992); to Archosauria by Kuhn (1966), Martinelli and Forasiepi (2004); to Dinosauria by Nopcsa (1923), Nopcsa (1928), Hay (1930), Tatarinov (1964), Gao and Liu (2005); to Dinosauria by Seeley (1888), Cope (1889), Cope (1891), Cope (1898), Huene (1909), Lull (1915), Swinton (1934), Parks (1935), Cooper (1981), Zhao (1983), Long and Murry (1995), Peng et al. (2001), You et al. (2014), Gorscak et al. (2014); and to Dinosauria by Gauthier and Padian (1985), Gauthier (1986), Brinkman and Sues (1987), Gauthier et al. (1989), Novas (1989), Rowe (1989), Benton (1990), Novas (1993), Sereno et al. (1993), Novas (1996), Sereno (1997), Sereno (1998), Sereno (1999), Maisch and Matzke (2003), Langer (2004), Irmis (2005), Langer and Benton (2006), Ezcurra (2006), Martínez and Alcober (2009), Nesbitt (2011), Bittencourt and Langer (2011), Cabreira et al. (2011), Novas et al. (2011), Taylor et al. (2011), Lacovara et al. (2014), Lü and Brusatte (2015), Sereno (2017), Longrich et al. (2017), Apaldetti et al. (2018), Martz and Small (2019), Pacheco et al. (2019), Zahner and Brinkmann (2019), Müller and Garcia (2020), Lamanna et al. (2020), Poust et al. (2020), Motta et al. (2020), Baiano et al. (2020), Chure and Loewen (2020), Lim et al. (2023), Agnolin et al. (2023), Averianov et al. (2024), Lovelace et al. (2025), Qiu et al. (2025), Li et al. (2025), Chen et al. (2025), Dai et al. (2025), Wang et al. (2025), Boschetto et al. (2026), Srivastava and Nesbitt (2026), Hu et al. (2026).

Entered

by M. Carrano on 2003-01-23; modified by M. Carrano on 2020-06-11

Synonyms

Streptospondylus recentior was named by Owen (1851).

It was considered a nomen dubium by Mantell (1851); it was considered a nomen dubium by Kuhn (1939).
Thecospondylus was named by Seeley (1882). Its type is Thecospondylus horneri.

It was synonymized subjectively with Coelurus by Nopcsa (1901); it was considered a nomen vanum by Welles (1984); it was considered a nomen dubium by Blows (1998), Naish (2002), Langer (2004).

It was assigned to Dinosauria by Seeley (1882); to Sauropoda by Lydekker (1888); to Compsognathinae by Nopcsa (1928); to Saurischia by Kuhn (1939); to Compsognathidae by Tatarinov (1964); and to Coeluridae by Zittel (1890), Van Den Broeck (1900), Huene (1909), von Zittel (1911), Huene (1914), Huene (1914), Huene (1920), Huene (1926), Romer (1956), Romer (1966), Steel (1970).
Thecospondylus horneri was named by Seeley (1882). Its type specimen is BMNH R.291 and is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Southborough quarry (BMNH), which is in a Berriasian/Valanginian terrestrial sandstone in the United Kingdom. It is the type species of Thecospondylus.

It was recombined as Coelurus horneri by Nopcsa (1901); it was recombined as Thecocoelurus horneri by Huene (1926); it was considered a nomen vanum by Welles (1984); it was considered a nomen dubium by Naish (2002), Langer (2004).
Pachypodes was named by Meyer (1845).

It was synonymized subjectively with Dinosauria by Cope (1871), Cope (1875), Seeley (1880), Zittel (1890), Woodward (1898); it was synonymized subjectively with Saurischia by Kuhn (1966).

It was assigned to Saurii by Meyer (1845).

Synonymy list

Year	Name and author
1845	Pachypodes Meyer p. 281
1851	Streptospondylus recentior Owen
1882	Thecospondylus Seeley
1882	Thecospondylus horneri Seeley p. 457
1888	Thecospondylus Lydekker pp. 152-153
1888	Thecospondylus horneri Lydekker p. 153
1888	Saurischia Seeley
1888	Thecospondylus horneri Seeley p. 79
1889	Saurischia Cope p. 16
1890	Thecospondylus horneri Woodward and Sherborn p. 292
1890	Thecospondylus Zittel p. 732
1891	Saurischia Cope p. 43
1898	Saurischia Cope p. 68
1900	Thecospondylus Van Den Broeck p. 83
1900	Thecospondylus horneri Van Den Broeck p. 83
1901	Coelurus horneri Nopcsa p. 202
1909	Saurischia Huene p. 13
1909	Thecospondylus Huene p. 13
1911	Thecospondylus von Zittel p. 280
1914	Thecospondylus Huene p. 34
1915	Saurischia Lull p. 117
1920	Thecospondylus Huene p. 162
1923	Saurischia Nopcsa p. 125
1924	Saurischia Lull p. 228
1926	Thecocoelurus horneri Huene p. 85
1926	Thecospondylus Huene p. 85
1928	Saurischia Nopcsa p. 182
1928	Thecospondylus Nopcsa p. 183
1928	Saurischia Parks p. 3
1930	Saurischia Hay p. 167
1934	Saurischia Swinton p. 30
1935	Saurischia Parks p. 183
1937	Saurischia Roxo p. 44
1939	Thecospondylus Kuhn p. 113
1939	Thecospondylus horneri Kuhn p. 113
1946	Saurischia Kuhn p. 65
1948	Saurischia Huene p. 88
1954	Saurischia Haughton and Brink p. 4
1954	Saurischia Huene p. 44
1956	Saurischia Romer p. 607
1956	Thecospondylus Romer p. 612
1963	Saurischia Parsch p. 4
1964	Saurischia Estes p. 142
1964	Saurischia Kuhn p. 312
1964	Saurischia Tatarinov p. 529
1964	Thecospondylus Tatarinov p. 533
1966	Saurischia Kuhn p. 88
1966	Saurischia Romer p. 369
1966	Thecospondylus Romer p. 369
1967	Saurischia Charig p. 712
1970	Thecospondylus Steel p. 17
1970	Thecospondylus horneri Steel p. 17
1971	Saurischia Haubold p. 63
1972	Saurischia Ellenberger p. 152
1974	Saurischia Bakker and Galton p. 171
1974	Saurischia Haubold p. 41
1975	Saurischia Thulborn p. 267
1975	Saurischia del Corro p. 231
1979	Saurischia Benton p. 142
1979	Saurischia Madsen and Miller p. 5
1980	Saurischia Ostrom p. 21
1981	Saurischia Cooper p. 694
1981	Saurischia Thurmond and Jones p. 143
1983	Saurischia Zhao p. 295
1985	Saurischia Gauthier and Padian pp. 189-190 fig. 1
1986	Saurischia Gauthier p. 14
1987	Saurischia Brinkman and Sues p. 502 fig. 7
1988	Saurischia Carroll
1989	Saurischia Gauthier et al. p. 346
1989	Saurischia Novas p. 686 fig. 2
1989	Saurischia Rowe
1990	Saurischia Benton p. 19
1992	Saurischia Novas pp. 59-60 fig. 6
1993	Saurischia Novas p. 110
1993	Saurischia Sereno et al. p. 65 fig. 2
1995	Saurischia Long and Murry p. 171
1996	Saurischia Novas p. 737 fig. 10
1997	Saurischia Sereno p. 444
1998	Saurischia Sereno p. 63
1999	Saurischia Sereno p. 2138 fig. 2
2001	Saurischia Peng et al. p. 36
2003	Saurischia Maisch and Matzke p. 282
2004	Saurischia Langer p. 27
2004	Saurischia Martinelli and Forasiepi p. 260
2005	Saurischia Gao and Liu p. 313
2005	Saurischia Irmis p. 81
2006	Saurischia Ezcurra p. 657 fig. 3
2006	Saurischia Langer and Benton pp. 345-347 fig. 15
2009	Saurischia Martínez and Alcober p. 11 fig. 10
2011	Saurischia Bittencourt and Langer p. 35
2011	Saurischia Cabreira et al. p. 1036
2011	Saurischia Nesbitt p. 211 fig. 52
2011	Saurischia Novas et al. p. 341 fig. 4
2011	Saurischia Taylor et al. p. 78
2014	Saurischia Gorscak et al.
2014	Saurischia Lacovara et al.
2014	Saurischia You et al.
2015	Saurischia Lü and Brusatte
2017	Saurischia Longrich et al.
2017	Saurischia Sereno
2018	Saurischia Apaldetti et al.
2019	Saurischia Martz and Small p. 54 fig. 23
2019	Saurischia Pacheco et al.
2019	Saurischia Zahner and Brinkmann
2020	Saurischia Baiano et al.
2020	Saurischia Chure and Loewen p. 8
2020	Saurischia Lamanna et al. p. 258
2020	Saurischia Motta et al.
2020	Saurischia Müller and Garcia p. 3 fig. 1
2020	Saurischia Poust et al.
2023	Saurischia Agnolin et al.
2023	Saurischia Lim et al. p. 52
2024	Saurischia Averianov et al. p. 1
2025	Saurischia Chen et al.
2025	Saurischia Dai et al.
2025	Saurischia Li et al.
2025	Saurischia Lovelace et al.
2025	Saurischia Qiu et al.
2025	Saurischia Wang et al.
2026	Saurischia Boschetto et al.
2026	Saurischia Hu et al.
2026	Saurischia Srivastava and Nesbitt

Is something missing? Join the Paleobiology Database and enter the data

Rank	Name	Author
kingdom	Animalia	()
—	Bilateria
—	Eubilateria	Ax 1987
—	Deuterostomia
phylum	Chordata	Haeckel 1874
subphylum	Vertebrata
superclass	Gnathostomata
class	Osteichthyes
subclass	Sarcopterygii	()
subclass	Dipnotetrapodomorpha	(Nelson 2006)
subclass	Tetrapodomorpha	()
—	Tetrapoda
—	Reptiliomorpha
—	Anthracosauria
subclass	Amphibiosauria	Kuhn 1967
—	Cotylosauria	()
—	Amniota

Rank	Name	Author
—	Sauropsida
class	Reptilia
subclass	Eureptilia	()
—	Romeriida
—	Diapsida	()
—	Archosauromorpha	(Huene 1946)
—	Crocopoda
—	Archosauriformes	Gauthier 1986
—	Eucrocopoda
—	Archosauria	()
informal	Avemetatarsalia
—	Ornithodira
—	Dinosauromorpha
—	Dinosauriformes
—	Dinosauria	()
—	Saurischia	()
—	Saurischia	()

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. Saurischia Seeley 1888 [saurischian]

show all | hide all

G. †Alwalkeria Chatterjee and Creisler 1994

†Alwalkeria maleriensis Chatterjee 1987

Invalid names: Walkeria Chatterjee 1987 [replaced]

G. †Anticheiropus Hitchcock 1865

†Anticheiropus hamatus Hitchcock 1865

†Anticheiropus pilulatus Hitchcock 1865

G. †Argoides Hitchcock 1845

†Argoides macrodactylus Hitchcock 1841

Invalid names: Argozoum disparidigitatum Hitchcock 1848 [synonym]

†Argoides minimus Hitchcock 1836

Invalid names: Argoides isodactyletus Hitchcock 1841 [synonym], Argozoum paridigitatum Hitchcock 1848 [synonym], Plesiornis aequalipes Hitchcock 1858 [synonym]

†Argoides redfieldii Hitchcock 1844

†Argoides robustus Hitchcock 1837

Invalid names: Argozoum Hitchcock 1848 [synonym]

G. †Avalonianus Kuhn 1961

G. †Chindesaurus Long and Murry 1995

†Chindesaurus bryansmalli Long and Murry 1995

G. †Coelurosaurichnus Huene 1941

Subg. †Coelurosaurichnus (Dinosaurichnium) Weiss 1934

†Coelurosaurichnus (Dinosaurichnium) schlauersbachense Weiss 1934

†Coelurosaurichnus (Dinosaurichnium) schlehenbergense Rehnelt 1950

†Coelurosaurichnus arntzeniusi Rehnelt 1983

†Coelurosaurichnus grancieri Courel and Demathieu 2000

†Coelurosaurichnus kehli Beurlen 1950

†Coelurosaurichnus kronbergeri Rehnelt 1959

†Coelurosaurichnus largentierensis Courel and Demathieu 1976

†Coelurosaurichnus moeni Beurlen 1950

†Coelurosaurichnus palissyi Gand 1976

†Coelurosaurichnus palyssi Gand 1976

†Coelurosaurichnus perriauxi Demathieu and Gand 1972

†Coelurosaurichnus ratumensis Demathieu and Oosterink 1988

†Coelurosaurichnus romanovskyi Gabuniya and Kurbatov 1988

†Coelurosaurichnus sabinensis Gand et al. 1976

†Coelurosaurichnus sassendorfensis Kuhn 1958

†Coelurosaurichnus schlauersbachense Weiss 1934

†Coelurosaurichnus schlehenbergensis Rehnelt 1950

†Coelurosaurichnus toscanus Huene 1941

†Coelurosaurichnus ziegelangernensis Kuhn 1958

G. †Daemonosaurus Sues et al. 2011

†Daemonosaurus chauliodus Sues et al. 2011

G. †Deuterotetrapous Nopcsa 1923

†Deuterotetrapous plancus Sarjeant 1967

†Deuterotetrapous triassicus Nopcsa 1923

G. †Eodromaeus Martinez et al. 2011

†Eodromaeus murphi Martinez et al. 2011

Fm. †Herrerasauridae Benedetto 1973 [herrerasaurid]

G. †Gnathovorax Pacheco et al. 2019

†Gnathovorax cabreirai Pacheco et al. 2019

G. †Herrerasaurus Reig 1963

†Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis Reig 1963

Invalid names: Frenguellisaurus ischigualastensis Novas 1986 [synonym], Ischisaurus cattoi Reig 1963 [synonym]

Invalid names: Frenguellisaurus Novas 1986 [synonym], Ischisaurus Reig 1963 [synonym]

G. †Sanjuansaurus Alcober and Martínez 2010

†Sanjuansaurus gordilloi Alcober and Martínez 2010

G. †Staurikosaurus Colbert 1970

†Staurikosaurus pricei Colbert 1970

Invalid names: Teyuwasu barberenai Kischlat 1999 [synonym]

Invalid names: Teyuwasu Kischlat 1999 [synonym]

Unr. †Morphoraptora Srivastava and Nesbitt 2026

G. †Ptychotherates Srivastava and Nesbitt 2026

†Ptychotherates bucculentus Srivastava and Nesbitt 2026

G. †Nhandumirim Marsola et al. 2019

†Nhandumirim waldsangae Marsola et al. 2019

Subor. †Palaeopoda Colbert 1964

Infraor. †Thecodontosauria Ellenberger 1972

G. †Platytrisauropus Ellenberger 1972

G. †Tritotrisauropus Ellenberger 1970

†Tritotrisauropus medius Ellenberger 1970

Infraor. †Trisauropodia Ellenberger 1972

G. †Anatrisauropus Ellenberger 1965

†Anatrisauropus camisardi Ellenberger 1965

†Anatrisauropus ginsburgi Ellenberger 1970

G. †Deuterotrisauropus Ellenberger 1965

†Deuterotrisauropus deambulator Ellenberger 1965

G. †Katosauropus Ellenberger 1972

G. †Neotrisauropus Ellenberger 1970

†Neotrisauropus minor Ellenberger 1974

G. †Paragrallator Ellenberger 1972

Invalid names: Palaeosauria Colbert 1964 [empty], Staurikosauridae Van Heerden 1978 [empty], Teratosauria Colbert 1970 [empty]

G. †Parachirotherium Kuhn 1958

Invalid names: Dinosaurichnium Rehnelt 1950 [synonym]

G. †Platypterna Hitchcock 1845

†Platypterna concamerata Hitchcock 1848

Invalid names: Platypterna varica Hitchcock 1858 [synonym]

†Platypterna deanii Hitchcock 1837

†Platypterna delicatula Hitchcock 1841

†Platypterna digitigrada Hitchcock 1858

†Platypterna gracillima Hitchcock 1858

†Platypterna lockatong Bock 1952

†Platypterna recta Hitchcock 1848

†Platypterna tenuis Hitchcock 1837

Invalid names: Calopus Hitchcock 1845 [synonym], Harpedactylus Hitchcock 1845 [synonym]

G. †Plesiornis Hitchcock 1858

†Plesiornis pilulatus Hitchcock 1858

G. †Saltopus Huene 1910

†Saltopus elginensis Huene 1910

G. †Saurichnium Gürich 1926

†Saurichnium tetractis Gürich 1926

G. †Saurischichnus Huene 1941

†Saurischichnus primitivus Huene 1941

Unr. †Sauropodomorpha Huene 1932 [sauropodomorph]

G. †Ahvaytum Lovelace et al. 2025

†Ahvaytum bahndooiveche Lovelace et al. 2025

G. †Arcusaurus Yates et al. 2011

†Arcusaurus pereirabdalorum Yates et al. 2011

G. †Asylosaurus Galton 2007

†Asylosaurus yalensis Galton 2007

Unr. †Bagualosauria Langer et al. 2019

G. †Bagualosaurus Pretto et al. 2019

†Bagualosaurus agudoensis Pretto et al. 2019

Unr. †Plateosauria Tornier 1913

Unr. †Anchisauria Galton and Upchurch 2004

Unr. †Prosauropoda Huene 1920 [prosauropod]

Invalid names: Melanorosauridae Huene 1929 [empty]

G. †Buriolestes Cabreira et al. 2016

†Buriolestes schultzi Cabreira et al. 2016

G. †Efraasia Galton 1973

†Efraasia minor Huene 1908

Invalid names: Palaeosaurus diagnosticus Fraas 1912 [synonym], Sellosaurus fraasi Huene 1908 [synonym]

G. †Eoraptor Sereno et al. 1993

†Eoraptor lunensis Sereno et al. 1993

G. †Eosauropus Lockley et al. 2006

†Eosauropus cimarronensis Lockley et al. 2006

Fm. †Guaibasauridae Bonaparte et al. 1999

G. †Agnosphitys Fraser et al. 2002

†Agnosphitys cromhallensis Fraser et al. 2002

G. †Guaibasaurus Bonaparte et al. 1999

†Guaibasaurus candelariensis Bonaparte et al. 1999

Invalid names: Saturnaliinae Ezcurra 2010 [empty]

G. †Huayracursor Hechenleitner et al. 2025

†Huayracursor jaguensis Hechenleitner et al. 2025

G. †Kholumolumo Peyre de Fabrègues and Allain 2020

†Kholumolumo ellenbergerorum Peyre de Fabrègues and Allain 2020

G. †Lavinipes Avanzini et al. 2003

†Lavinipes cheminii Avanzini et al. 2003

G. †Liujianpus Xing et al. 2016

†Liujianpus shunan Xing et al. 2016

Unr. †Massopoda Yates 2007

G. †Anchisaurus Marsh 1885

†Anchisaurus polyzelus Hitchcock 1865

Invalid names: Ammosaurus major Marsh 1889 [synonym]

Invalid names: Amphisaurus Marsh 1882 [replaced], Megadactylus Hitchcock 1865 [replaced]

Fm. †Massospondylidae Huene 1914

G. †Adeopapposaurus Martínez 2009 [far eating lizard]

†Adeopapposaurus mognai Martínez 2009

G. †Coloradisaurus Lambert 1983

†Coloradisaurus brevis Bonaparte 1978

G. †Glacialisaurus Smith and Pol 2007 [frozen lizard]

†Glacialisaurus hammeri Smith and Pol 2007

G. †Ignavusaurus Knoll 2010

†Ignavusaurus rachelis Knoll 2010

G. †Leyesaurus Apaldetti et al. 2011

†Leyesaurus marayensis Apaldetti et al. 2011

G. †Lufengosaurus Young 1940

†Lufengosaurus changduensis Zhao 1985

†Lufengosaurus huenei Young 1940

†Lufengosaurus magnus Young 1941

G. †Massospondylus Owen 1854

†Massospondylus carinatus Owen 1854

†Massospondylus hislopi Lydekker 1890

†Massospondylus kaalae Barrett 2009

G. †Ngwevu Chapelle et al. 2019

†Ngwevu intloko Chapelle et al. 2019

G. †Pradhania Kutty et al. 2007

†Pradhania gracilis Kutty et al. 2007

G. †Sarahsaurus Rowe et al. 2011

†Sarahsaurus aurifontanalis Rowe et al. 2011

G. †Musankwa Barrett et al. 2024

†Musankwa sanyatiensis Barrett et al. 2024

Unr. †Riojasauridae Yates 2007

G. †Eucnemesaurus Van Hoepen 1920

†Eucnemesaurus entaxonis McPhee et al. 2015

†Eucnemesaurus fortis Van Hoepen 1920

Invalid names: Aliwalia rex Galton 1985 [synonym]

Invalid names: Aliwalia Galton 1985 [synonym]

G. †Riojasaurus Bonaparte 1969

†Riojasaurus incertus Bonaparte 1969

Invalid names: Strenusaurus procerus Bonaparte 1969 [synonym]

Invalid names: Strenusaurus Bonaparte 1969 [synonym]

Unr. †Sauropodiformes Sereno 2007

G. †Aardonyx Yates et al. 2010

†Aardonyx celestae Yates et al. 2010

G. †Blikanasaurus Galton and Van Heerden 1985

†Blikanasaurus cromptoni Galton and Van Heerden 1985

G. †Camelotia Galton 1985

†Camelotia borealis Galton 1985

G. †Gongxianosaurus He et al. 1998

†Gongxianosaurus shibeiensis He et al. 1998

G. †Irisosaurus Peyre de Fabrègues et al. 2020

†Irisosaurus yimenensis Peyre de Fabrègues et al. 2020

G. †Jingshanosaurus Zhang and Yang 1995

†Jingshanosaurus xinwaensis Zhang and Yang 1995

Invalid names: Chuxiongosaurus lufengensis Lü et al. 2010 [synonym]

Invalid names: Chuxiongosaurus Lü et al. 2010 [synonym]

G. †Ledumahadi McPhee et al. 2018

†Ledumahadi mafube McPhee et al. 2018

G. †Leonerasaurus Pol et al. 2011

†Leonerasaurus taquetrensis Pol et al. 2011

G. †Lishulong Zhang et al. 2024

†Lishulong wangi Zhang et al. 2024

G. †Melanorosaurus Haughton 1924

†Melanorosaurus readi Haughton 1924

Invalid names: Roccosaurus Van Heerden 1978 [nomen nudum], Roccosaurus tetrasacralis van Heerden 1978 [nomen nudum]

G. †Meroktenos Peyre de Fabrègues and Allain 2016

†Meroktenos thabanensis Gauffre 1993

G. †Mussaurus Bonaparte and Vince 1979

†Mussaurus patagonicus Bonaparte and Vince 1979

Unr. †Sauropoda Marsh 1878 [sauropod]

G. †Archaeodontosaurus Buffetaut 2005

Fm. †Atlantosauridae Marsh 1877 [atlantosaurid]

Invalid names: Apatosauridae Huene 1927 [synonym]

G. †Brontopodus Farlow et al. 1989

Invalid names: Chuxiongpus Chen and Huang 1993 [synonym]

G. †Calorckosauripus Meyer et al. 2018

Superfm. †Camarasauroidea Dong 1998

G. †Chinshakiangosaurus Yeh 1975

G. †Dachongosaurus Zhao 1985

G. †Damalasaurus Zhao 1985

G. †Eosauropoda Bonaparte 1986

Fm. †Faveoloolithidae Zhao and Ding 1976

G. †Galinhapodus dos Santos et al. 2024

Invalid names: Polyonyx Santos et al. 2009 [replaced]

Unr. †Gravisauria Allain and Aquesbi 2008

Superfm. †Homalosauropodoidea Kuhn 1961

G. †Isanosaurus Buffetaut et al. 2000

G. †Kotasaurus Yadagiri 1988

G. †Lamplughsaura Kutty et al. 2007

Unr. †Lessemsauridae Apaldetti et al. 2018

G. †Megalobrontes Britt 1996

Fm. †Megaloolithidae Zhao 1979

G. †Microdontosaurus Zhao 1983

G. †Microsaurops Kuhn 1964

Invalid names: Microsaurus Hatcher 1900 [replaced]

G. †Ohmdenosaurus Wild 1978

G. †Oplosaurus Gervais 1852

G. †Oshanosaurus Zhao 1985

Fm. †Parabrontopodidae Apesteguía 2005

G. †Pulanesaura McPhee et al. 2015

G. †Ravatichnus Gabuniya and Kurbatov 1988

G. †Sanpasaurus Young 1944

G. †Tapinosaurus Rabeck 1925

G. †Vulcanodon Raath 1972

Invalid names: Acanthopholis platypus Seeley 1869 [nomen dubium], Aepisaurus Gervais 1852 [nomen dubium], Agustiniidae Bonaparte 1999 [empty], Allophagi Jaekel 1914 [synonym], Asiatosaurus Osborn 1924 [nomen dubium], Astrodon johnstoni Leidy 1865 [nomen dubium], Atlantosaurus Marsh 1877 [nomen dubium], Barosaurus affinis Marsh 1899 [nomen dubium], Blikanasauridae Galton and Van Heerden 1985 [empty], Bothriospondylidae Lydekker 1895 [empty], Bothriospondylus elongatus Owen 1875 [nomen dubium], Bothrosauropodidae Janensch 1929 [empty], Bothrosauropodoidea Kuhn 1961 [empty], Brachiosaurus nougaredi Lapparent 1960 [nomen dubium], Brontopodidae Apesteguía 2005 [empty], Brontosauridae Jaekel 1911 [empty], Bruhathkayosaurus Yadagiri and Ayyasami 1987 [nomen dubium], Campylodoniscus Kuhn 1961 [nomen dubium], Cetiosauria Seeley 1874 [synonym], Cetiosaurus epioolithicus Owen 1842 [nomen nudum], Cetiosaurus hypoolithicus Owen 1842 [nomen nudum], Cetiosaurus longus Owen 1842 [nomen dubium], Cetiosaurus medius Owen 1842 [nomen dubium], Chiayusaurus Bohlin 1953 [nomen dubium], Chondrosteosaurus Owen 1876 [nomen dubium], Chubutisauridae del Corro 1975 [empty], Clasmodosaurus Ameghino 1898 [nomen dubium], Clasmodosaurus spatula Ameghino 1898 [nomen dubium], Gigantosaurus Seeley 1869 [nomen dubium], Hamanosauripus Kim 1986 [nomen nudum], Haplocanthosauridae Bonaparte 1999 [empty], Herrerasauridae Van Heerden 1978 [empty], Homalosauropodidae Janensch 1929 [empty], Iguanodon praecursor Sauvage 1876 [nomen dubium], Koreanosauripus Kim 1986 [nomen nudum], Kunmingosaurus Zhao 1985 [nomen dubium], Lancanjiangosaurus Zhao 1985 [nomen nudum], Malasaurus Malkani 2007 [nomen nudum], Mamenchisauroidea Dong 1998 [empty], Mamenchisaurus fuxiensis Hou et al. 1976 [nomen dubium], Mamenchisaurus guangyuanensis Zhang 1981 [nomen dubium], Mamenchisaurus yunnanensis Fang et al. 2004 [nomen dubium], Morinosaurus Sauvage 1874 [nomen dubium], Morinosaurus priscus Sauvage 1874 [nomen dubium], Morosauridae Marsh 1882 [empty], Neosodon de la Moussaye 1884 [nomen dubium], Nurosaurus Dong 1992 [nomen nudum], Opisthocoelia Owen 1859 [synonym], Ornithopsidae Lydekker 1887 [empty], Pleurocoelus altus Marsh 1888 [nomen dubium], Pleurocoelus nanus Marsh 1888 [nomen dubium], Pleurocoelus valdensis Lydekker 1889 [nomen dubium], Qinlingosaurus Xie et al. 1996 [nomen dubium], Rotundichnus Hendricks 1981 [nomen dubium], Tendaguriidae Bonaparte et al. 2000 [empty], Titanosaurus lydekkeri Huene 1929 [nomen dubium], Titanosaurus montanus Marsh 1877 [nomen dubium], Ultrasaurus Kim 1981 [nomen dubium], Zizhongosaurus Dong et al. 1983 [nomen dubium]

G. †Schleitheimia Rauhut et al. 2020

†Schleitheimia schutzi Rauhut et al. 2020

G. †Sefapanosaurus Otero et al. 2015

†Sefapanosaurus zastronensis Otero et al. 2015

G. †Seitaad Sertich and Loewen 2010

†Seitaad ruessi Sertich and Loewen 2010

G. †Xingxiulong Wang et al. 2017

†Xingxiulong chengi Wang et al. 2017

†Xingxiulong yueorum Chen et al. 2025

G. †Yizhousaurus Zhang et al. 2018

†Yizhousaurus sunae Zhang et al. 2018

G. †Yunnanosaurus Young 1940

†Yunnanosaurus huangi Young 1940

†Yunnanosaurus robustus Young 1951

†Yunnanosaurus youngi Lü et al. 2007

G. †Tuebingosaurus Regalado Fernández and Werneburg 2022

†Tuebingosaurus maierfritzorum Regalado Fernández and Werneburg 2022

G. †Wudingloong Wang et al. 2025

†Wudingloong wui Wang et al. 2025

G. †Xiangyunloong Hu et al. 2026

†Xiangyunloong fengming Hu et al. 2026

G. †Mbiresaurus Griffin et al. 2022

†Mbiresaurus raathi Griffin et al. 2022

G. †Nambalia Novas et al. 2011

†Nambalia roychowdhurii Novas et al. 2011

G. †Pantydraco Galton et al. 2007

†Pantydraco caducus Yates 2003

Fm. †Plateosauridae Marsh 1895 [plateosaurid]

G. †Coloradia Bonaparte 1978

G. †Issi Beccari et al. 2021

†Issi saaneq Beccari et al. 2021

G. †Navahopus Baird 1980

†Navahopus coyoteensis Milàn et al. 2008

†Navahopus falcipollex Baird 1980

G. †Plateosauravus Huene 1932

†Plateosauravus cullingworthi Haughton 1924

G. †Plateosaurus Meyer 1837

†Plateosaurus elizae Sauvage 1907

†Plateosaurus engelhardti Meyer 1837

†Plateosaurus erlenbergiensis Huene 1905

†Plateosaurus gracilis Huene 1905

Invalid names: Thecodontosaurus hermannianus Huene 1905 [synonym]

†Plateosaurus ingens Rütimeyer 1856

†Plateosaurus longiceps Jaekel 1913

Invalid names: Plateosaurus fraasianus Huene 1932 [synonym], Plateosaurus integer Fraas 1915 [synonym]

†Plateosaurus trossingensis Fraas 1913

Invalid names: Plateosaurus quenstedti Huene 1905 [nomen dubium], Plateosaurus reinigeri Huene 1905 [nomen dubium], Platysaurus Agassiz 1846 [synonym], Sellosaurus Huene 1905 [synonym]

G. †Ruehleia Galton 2001

†Ruehleia bedheimensis Galton 2001

G. †Unaysaurus Leal et al. 2004

†Unaysaurus tolentinoi Leal et al. 2004

G. †Xixiposaurus Sekiya 2010

†Xixiposaurus suni Sekiya 2010

Invalid names: Ammosauridae Huene 1914 [synonym], Sellosauridae Huene 1908 [synonym]

G. †Qianlong Han et al. 2023

†Qianlong shouhu Han et al. 2023

Subfm. †Saturnaliidae Ezcurra 2010

G. †Chromogisaurus Ezcurra 2010

†Chromogisaurus novasi Ezcurra 2010

G. †Pampadromaeus Cabreira et al. 2011

†Pampadromaeus barberenai Cabreira et al. 2011

G. †Panphagia Martínez and Alcober 2009

†Panphagia protos Martínez and Alcober 2009

G. †Saturnalia Langer et al. 1999

†Saturnalia tupiniquim Langer et al. 1999

Fm. †Thecodontosauridae Lydekker 1890

G. †Pseudotrisauropus Ellenberger 1970

†Pseudotrisauropus dieterleni Ellenberger 1970

†Pseudotrisauropus humilis Ellenberger 1970

†Pseudotrisauropus maserui Ellenberger 1970

†Pseudotrisauropus minusculus Ellenberger 1970

†Pseudotrisauropus molekoi Ellenberger 1970

†Pseudotrisauropus subengensis Ellenberger 1970

G. †Trichristolopus Ellenberger 1970

†Trichristolopus dubius Ellenberger 1970

G. †Thecodontosaurus Riley and Stutchbury 1836

†Thecodontosaurus antiquus Morris 1843

†Thecodontosaurus minimus Ellenberger 1970

Invalid names: Thecodontosaurus latespinatus Huene 1905 [nomen vanum], Thecodontosaurus subcylindrodon Huene 1905 [nomen vanum]

Unr. †Unaysauridae Müller et al. 2018

G. †Jaklapallisaurus Novas et al. 2011

†Jaklapallisaurus asymmetrica Novas et al. 2011

G. †Macrocollum Müller et al. 2018

†Macrocollum itaquii Müller et al. 2018

Invalid names: Brontosauria Olshevsky 1991 [empty], Euskelosaurus Huxley 1866 [nomen dubium], Euskelosaurus brownii Huxley 1866 [nomen dubium], Melanorosauria Ellenberger 1972 [empty], Navahopodidae Olsen and Galton 1984 [empty], Pachysuchus Young 1951 [nomen dubium], Pentasauropodia Ellenberger 1972 [empty], Thotobolosaurus Ellenberger 1970 [nomen nudum]

G. †Tawa Nesbitt et al. 2009

†Tawa hallae Nesbitt et al. 2009

G. †Trihamus Hitchcock 1862

†Trihamus elegans Hitchcock 1862

†Trihamus magnus Hitchcock 1889

G. †Trimabus Hitchcock 1865

†Trimabus elegans Hitchcock 1865

Invalid names: Aristosuchia Seeley 1892 [empty], Eusaurischia Padian et al. 1999 [empty], Pachypodes Meyer 1845 [synonym], Pachypodosauria Huene 1914 [empty], Pachypodosauroidea Nopcsa 1928 [empty], Streptospondylus recentior Owen 1851 [nomen dubium], Thecospondylus Seeley 1882 [nomen dubium]

Diagnosis

Reference	Diagnosis
R. S. Lull 1924	dinosaurs with triradiate pelvis resembing that of crocodiles, except that the publs forms part of acetabular boundary; skull small, with preorbital fenestra, carried at right angles to neck; large vacuity through mandible, as in crocodiles; marginal socketed teeth compressed and either knife-like, with serrated margins, or pencil-like, present in anterior portion of mouth and generally along its sides as well; no predentary bone; no calcified (ossified) tendons preserved in vertebral column.
B. F. Nopcsa 1928	pubes directed forwards, pubic protuberance of ilium long
F. v. Huene 1948	They represent an orthogenetic continuation of certain Pseudosuchia without break, systematic separation is artificial, but preferable for practical reasons. Open acetabulum; no armature; hind legs stronger than in Pseudosuchians and skull smaller; shoulder girdle shifted backward and first caudal added to sacrum; about 25 presacrals as in normal Thecodonts; in shoulder girdle secondary elements disappearing. Upper Triassic to Upper Cretaceous.
S. J. Nesbitt 2011	The most inclusive clade containing Passer domesticus Linnaeus, 1758, and Saltasaurus loricatus Bonaparte and Powell, 1980, but not Triceratops horridus (Marsh, 1889)

Measurements

No measurements are available

Composition:

phosphaticsubp

Maximum body mass:

100000 kgg

Minimum body mass:

1 kgg

Environment:

terrestrialsubc

Locomotion:

actively mobilec

Life habit:

planktonicp

Diet:

suspension feederp

Created:

2017-04-17 15:16:03

Modified:

2017-04-17 15:16:03

Source: g = genus, subc = subclass, c = class, subp = subphylum, p = phylum

References: Kiessling 2004, Bambach et al. 2007, Peczkis 1995, Hendy et al. 2009, Carroll 1988

Age range

Maximum range based only on fossils: base of the Olenekian to the top of the Maastrichtian or 249.90000 to 66.00000 Ma
Minimum age of oldest fossil (stem group age): 246.7 Ma

Collections (3390 total)

Time interval	Ma	Country or state	Original ID and collection number
Oldest occurrences
Early/Lower Triassic	251.902 - 246.7	United Kingdom (England)	Deuterotetrapous triassicus (164930)
Olenekian	249.9 - 246.7	United Kingdom (England)	Coelurosaurichnus sp. A, Coelurosaurichnus sp. B, Coelurosaurichnus ziegelangernensis (184045)
Anisian	246.7 - 241.464	Netherlands (Gelderland)	Coelurosaurichnus ratumensis (96875)
Anisian	246.7 - 241.464	United Kingdom (England)	Deuterotetrapous plancus (186039)
Anisian	246.7 - 241.464	Germany	Thecodontosaurus latespinatus (137641)
Anisian	246.7 - 241.464	Spain (Castilla-La Mancha)	Coelurosaurichnus perriauxi (74513)
Anisian - Ladinian	246.7 - 237.0	France (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)	Coelurosaurichnus largentierensis (192151) Coelurosaurichnus sp. (31310)
Anisian - Ladinian	246.7 - 237.0	France (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté)	Coelurosaurichnus palissyi (31312 68222) Coelurosaurichnus palissyi, Coelurosaurichnus perriauxi (68223) Coelurosaurichnus perriauxi (62182 68906) Coelurosaurichnus sp. (199928) Coelurosaurichnus sp., Coelurosaurichnus largentierensis (68226) Coelurosaurichnus sp., Coelurosaurichnus perriauxi (28462) Dinosauria indet. (24834 199911)
Anisian - Ladinian	246.7 - 237.0	France (Saône-et-Loire)	Coelurosaurichnus sp., Coelurosaurichnus palyssii (36226)
Middle Triassic	246.7 - 237.0	South Africa (Free State)	Rotodactylopus archaeus (206547)
Middle Triassic	246.7 - 237.0	Argentina (Mendoza)	Tetrasauropus sp. (59670)
Middle Triassic	246.7 - 237.0	Germany (Baden-Württemberg)	Thecodontosaurus latespinatus (187582)
Middle Triassic	246.7 - 237.0	Lesotho (Mokhotlong)	Trichristolopus dubius (206537)
Middle Triassic	246.7 - 237.0	France (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté)	Coelurosaurichnus perriauxi (28092)
Ladinian	241.464 - 237.0	France (Grand Est)	Thecodontosaurus latespinatus (137680)
Carnian	237.0 - 227.3	France	Coelurosaurichnus grancieri (55316 68225)
Carnian	237.0 - 227.3	India (Andhra Pradesh)	Walkeria maleriensis (57059)
Carnian	237.0 - 227.3	Italy (Liguria)	Evazoum sirigui, Pseudotetrasauropus sp. (68780)
Carnian	237.0 - 227.3	Germany (Bayern)	Coelurosaurichnus n. sp., Coelurosaurichnus kronbergeri (34535) Dinosaurichnium schlauersbachense (139738) Dinosaurichnium schlehenbergense (139732)
Carnian	237.0 - 227.3	Zimbabwe (Mashonaland West)	Massospondylus sp. (220586) Sauropodomorpha indet. (220589 220710 220712)