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:
  • 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 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 for a different genus, even if deprecated. Junior synonymy is often subjective, unless the genera described were both based on the same type specimen.
  • Nomen nudum : A name that has appeared in print but has not yet been formally published by the standards of the ICZN. Nomina nuda 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.
  • Nomen oblitum : A name that has not been used in the scientific community for more than fifty years after its original proposal.
  • Nomen manuscriptum : A name that appears in manuscript of a formal publication that has no scientific backing.
  • Preoccupied name: A name that is formally published, but which has already been used for another taxon. This second use is invalid and the name must be replaced. Preoccupied names are not valid generic names.
  • Nomen dubium : A name describing a fossil with no unique diagnostic features. As this can be an extremely subjective and controversial designation, no genera should be marked as such on this list.

A

File:Amargasaurus Reconstruction Fred Wierum.png|thumb|Life reconstruction of Amargasaurus.|alt=

B

File:Baryonyx walkeri mount NMNS.jpg|thumb|Reconstructed skeletal mount of Baryonyx at the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo

C

File:Coelophysis bauri mount.jpg|thumb|Coelophysis mounted skeleton at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

File:Linhenykus monodactylus.jpg|upright|thumb|Life reconstruction of two individuals of Linhenykus in their arid Campanian-aged living environment

M

File:Microraptor Restoration.png|thumb|Life reconstruction of Microraptor with colouration based on fossilised melanosomes

N

O

P

Q

R

S

File:Sinosaurus triassicus.JPG|thumb|Sinosaurus skeleton, Museo delle Scienze of Trento, Italy

T

File:Triceratops Specimen at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.JPG|thumb|Skeleton of Triceratops at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

U

V

W

X

Y

Z