List of dinosaur genera


s are a diverse group of reptiles that first appeared during the Triassic period, between 243 and 233.23 million years ago. They became the dominant terrestrial vertebrates after the Triassic–Jurassic extinction event 201.3 million years ago, and their dominance continued throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The fossil record demonstrates that birds are modern feathered dinosaurs, having evolved from earlier theropods during the Late Jurassic. Birds were therefore the only dinosaur lineage to survive the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event approximately 66 million years ago, and constitute the only known living dinosaurs.
This list of dinosaurs is a comprehensive listing of all genera that have ever been considered to be non-avialan dinosaurs, but also includes some dinosaurs of disputed status as non-avian, as well as purely vernacular terms.
The list includes all commonly accepted genera, but also genera that are now considered invalid, doubtful, or were not formally published, as well as junior synonyms and genera that are no longer considered dinosaurs. Many listed names have been reclassified as everything from true birds to crocodilians to petrified wood. The list contains 1,863 names, of which approximately 1,424 are considered either valid dinosaur genera or nomina dubia.

Scope and terminology

There is no official, canonical list of all non-avian dinosaur genera. The closest is the Dinosaur Genera List, compiled by biological nomenclature expert George Olshevsky, which was first published online in 1995 and was regularly updated until June 2021. The most authoritative general source in the field is the second edition of The Dinosauria. The vast majority of names listed below are sourced to Olshevsky's list, and all subjective determinations are based on The Dinosauria, except where they conflict with primary literature. These exceptions are noted.
Naming conventions and terminology follow the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Technical terms used include:
File:Amargasaurus Reconstruction Fred Wierum.png|thumb|Life reconstruction of Amargasaurus.|alt=
File:Baryonyx walkeri mount NMNS.jpg|thumb|Reconstructed skeletal mount of Baryonyx at the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo
File:Coelophysis bauri mount.jpg|thumb|Coelophysis mounted skeleton at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
File:Linhenykus monodactylus.jpg|upright|thumb|Life reconstruction of two individuals of Linhenykus in their arid Campanian-aged living environment
File:Microraptor Restoration.png|thumb|Life reconstruction of Microraptor with colouration based on fossilised melanosomes
File:Sinosaurus triassicus.JPG|thumb|Sinosaurus skeleton, Museo delle Scienze of Trento, Italy
File:Triceratops Specimen at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.JPG|thumb|Skeleton of Triceratops at the Houston Museum of Natural Science