List of mosasaurs - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

This list of mosasaurs is a comprehensive listing of all genera

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

that have ever been included in the family Mosasauridae or the parent clade Mosasauroidea

Mosasauroidea

Mosasauroidea is an extinct superfamily of Late Cretaceous lizards that includes the highly-marine mosasaurs and their relatives the "aigialosaurs"....

, excluding purely vernacular terms. The list includes all commonly accepted genera, but also genera that are now considered invalid, doubtful (nomen dubium
Nomen dubium
In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application...

), or were not formally published (nomen nudum
Nomen nudum
The phrase nomen nudum is a Latin term, meaning "naked name", used in taxonomy...

), as well as junior synonyms of more established names, and genera that are no longer considered mosasauroid. Non-mosasaurid mosasauroids shall be noted as such.

Scope and terminology

There is no official, canonical list of mosasaur genera but one of the most thorough attempts can be found on the "Pythonomorpha" section of Mikko Haaramo's Phylogeny Archive.

Naming conventions and terminology follow the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature

International Code of Zoological Nomenclature

The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature is a widely accepted convention in zoology that rules the formal scientific naming of organisms treated as animals...

. 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 (in chronological order) 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, even if deprecated. Junior synonymy is often subjective, unless the genera described were both based on the same type specimen.
Nomen nudum
Nomen nudum
The phrase nomen nudum is a Latin term, meaning "naked name", used in taxonomy...

(Latin for "naked name"): A name that has appeared in print but has not yet been formally published by the standards of the ICZN. Nomina nuda (the plural form) 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. In this case, these nomina nuda will be deleted from this list in favor of the published name.
Preoccupied name: A name that is formally published, but which has already been used for another taxon. This second use is invalid (as are all subsequent uses) and the name must be replaced. As preoccupied names are not valid generic names, they will also go unitalicized on this list.
Nomen dubium
Nomen dubium
In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application...

(Latin for "dubious name"): A name describing a fossil with no unique diagnostic features. As this can be an extremely subjective and controversial designation, this term is not used on this list.

Mosasaur genera

Genus	Authors	Year	Status	Location	Notes
s="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%; font-size: 95%;">
Acteosaurus Acteosaurus Acteosaurus is an extinct genus of aquatic lizard that lived in the upper Cretaceous period. Its species, A. tommasinii and A. crassicostatus, were described in 1860 and 1993. Though A. crassicostatus is probably a junior synonym for Adriosaurus suessi, A...	Meyer	1860 1860 in paleontology -New taxa:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.	Europe	Non-mosasaurid mosasauroid.
Adriosaurus Adriosaurus Adriosaurus is an extinct genus of aquatic lizard that lived about 95 million years ago. It was snake-like and grew 10 to 12 inches. This is the first fossil record of vestigial limbs in lizards, and gives scientists a glimpse back to the time when terrestrial lizards evolved to be limbless...	Seeley	1881 1881 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:-Paleontologists:* Death of the Reverend William Fox a significant early collector of dinosaur fossils from the Isle of Wight....	Valid.	Europe	Non-mosasaurid mosasauroid.
Aigialosaurus Aigialosaurus Aigialosaurus is an extinct genus of mosasauroid within the family Aigialosauridae. Its fossils have been found in Europe. It contains two species, Aigialosaurus dalmaticus and Aigialosaurus bucchichi. Aigialosaurs were some of the oldest and most primitive ancestors of mosasaurs....	Kramberger	1892 1892 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.	Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...	Non-mosasaurid mosasauroid.
Amphekepubis Amphekepubis Amphekepubis is a genus of mosasaur from the Late Cretaceous of Mexico.-References:-External links:...	Mehl	1930 1930 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.	North America North America North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
Amphorosteus Amphorosteus Amphorosteus is a dubious genus of mosasaur from the Late Cretaceous of North America.-External links:*...	Gibbs	1851 1851 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-Newly named plesiosaurs:...	Nomen dubium Nomen dubium In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application... .	North America	Nomen dubium.
Ancylocentrum	Schmidt	1927 1927 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-Non-mammalian:...	Jr. synonym.	N/A	Junior synonym of Prognathodon Prognathodon Prognathodon is an extinct genus of marine reptile belonging to the mosasaur family. It had protective bony rings surrounding its eye sockets, indicating it lived in deep water. its fossil remains have been found in the U.S.A , Canada , Belgium, New Zealand, Morocco and The Netherlands... .
Angolasaurus Angolasaurus Angolasaurus is an extinct genus of mosasaur found in the Upper Cretaceous of Angola and described by Miguel Telles Antunes in 1964....	Telles-Antunes	1964 1964 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-New taxa:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.	Africa
Baptosaurus	Marsh	1870 1870 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:-New taxa:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Jr. synonym.	N/A	Junior synonym of Halisaurus Halisaurus Halisaurus is an extinct genus of marine lizard belonging to the mosasaur family. With a length of 3–4 m , it was small compared to most other mosasaurs. It was named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1869, but renamed Baptosaurus by Marsh in 1870, who thought the name was already in use by a fish... .
Baseodon	Leidy	1865 1865 in paleontology -New taxa:-Newly named plesiosaurs:...	Nomen dubium Nomen dubium In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application... .	North America	Nomen dubium.
Batrachiosaurus	Harlan	1839 1839 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-Paleontologists:* Birth of Harry Govier Seeley, the paleontologist who invented the Saurischian/Ornithischian dinosaur dichotomy....	Jr. synonym.	N/A	Junior synonym of Mosasaurus Mosasaurus Mosasaurus is a genus of mosasaur, carnivorous, aquatic lizards, somewhat resembling flippered crocodiles, with elongated heavy jaws. The genus existed during the Maastrichtian age of the Cretaceous period , around 70-65 millions years ago in the area of modern Western Europe and North America... .
Brachysaurana	Strand	1928 1928 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:* Charles Gilmore returned to prospect for fossils in the Two Medicine Formation. He would return yet again in 1935.-Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr...	Jr. synonym.	N/A	Junior synonym of Prognathodon Prognathodon Prognathodon is an extinct genus of marine reptile belonging to the mosasaur family. It had protective bony rings surrounding its eye sockets, indicating it lived in deep water. its fossil remains have been found in the U.S.A , Canada , Belgium, New Zealand, Morocco and The Netherlands... .
Brachysaurus	Williston	1897 1897 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:...	Preoccupied.	N/A	Preoccupied by a junior synonym of an iguania Iguania Iguania is the suborder of Squamata that contains the iguanas, chameleons, agamids, and "New World lizards" such as anoles and Phrynosomatidae... n lizard Lizard Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains... genus, Stenocercus Stenocercus Stenocercus is a genus of lizards of the Tropiduridae family. This genus has around sixteen described species, all of which are found in South America.-Member species:Stenocercus aculeatus O'Shaughnessy, 1879... ; referred to replacement names Brachysaurana* and Ancylocentrum, of which Ancylocentrum has priority as such.
Carinodens Carinodens Carinodens is a genus of mosasaur. It was named in 1969 as a replacement for Compressidens, which was already in use for a mollusk. Measuring approximately in length, it is one of the smallest known mosasaurs. It is widely considered a sister taxon to Globidens. It also had round, blunt teeth for...	Woodward	1891 1891 in paleontology -New taxa:...	Valid.	Africa Europe South America
Carsosaurus Carsosaurus Carsosaurus was a genus of mosasauroid from the Late Cretaceous period....	Kornhuber	1893 1893 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.	Europe	Non-mosasaurid mosasauroid.
Clidastes Clidastes Clidastes is an extinct genus of mosasaur lizard from marine environments of the Late Cretaceous.Clidastes was an agile and fast swimmer that cruised the surface or shallow waters hunting for fish, flying reptiles and anything that got too close.- Appearance :Clidastes was the smallest of the...	Cope	1868 1868 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.
Compressidens	Dollo	1924 1924 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Preoccupied.		Preoccupied by a tusk shell Tusk shell The tusk shells or scaphopods are a class of shelled marine mollusks. The scientific name of this class is Scaphopoda, meaning "shovel-footed". Shells of species within this class range from about 0.5 to 15 cm in length... ; later renamed Carinodens Carinodens Carinodens is a genus of mosasaur. It was named in 1969 as a replacement for Compressidens, which was already in use for a mollusk. Measuring approximately in length, it is one of the smallest known mosasaurs. It is widely considered a sister taxon to Globidens. It also had round, blunt teeth for... .
Dallasaurus Dallasaurus Dallasaurus is a basal mosasauroid from the Upper Cretaceous of North America. The genus is based upon two partial skeletons recovered from the Arcadia Park Shale , approximately 15 meters above its contact with the older Kamp Ranch Limestone in Dallas County in north-central Texas...	Polcyn Bell	2005 2005 in paleontology -New taxa:-New taxa:-Xiphosurans:* Fossils of Lunataspis, the earliest known xiphosuran, are discovered in Canada. It was not given a formal description until 2008, however.-New taxa:-Newly named dinosaurs:...	Valid.
Dolichosaurus Dolichosaurus Dolichosaurus is an extinct genus of marine squamate of the Upper Cretaceous Cenomanian chalk deposits of England. Sister-group relationships between coniasaurs, dolichosaurs, Aigialosauridae and Mosasauridae are an unresolved polytomy. The paleobiology of Dolichosaurus is reconstructed as...	Owen	1894 1894 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-New taxa:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.		Non-mosasaurid mosasauroid.
Dollosaurus	Yakovlev	1901 1901 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data coutersy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database....	Disputed.		Possible junior synonym of Prognathodon Prognathodon Prognathodon is an extinct genus of marine reptile belonging to the mosasaur family. It had protective bony rings surrounding its eye sockets, indicating it lived in deep water. its fossil remains have been found in the U.S.A , Canada , Belgium, New Zealand, Morocco and The Netherlands... .
Drepanodon	Leidy	1861 1861 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:-New taxa:...	Nomen dubium Nomen dubium In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application... .		Nomen dubium.
Ectenosaurus Ectenosaurus Ectenosaurus is a genus of mosasaur from the Late Cretaceous period....	Russel	1967 1967 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.
Edestosaurus	Marsh	1871 1871 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-New taxa:-New taxa:...	Jr. synonym.		Junior synonym of Clidastes Clidastes Clidastes is an extinct genus of mosasaur lizard from marine environments of the Late Cretaceous.Clidastes was an agile and fast swimmer that cruised the surface or shallow waters hunting for fish, flying reptiles and anything that got too close.- Appearance :Clidastes was the smallest of the... .
Eidolosaurus Eidolosaurus Eidolosaurus was a genus of mosasauroid from the Late Cretaceous period....	Nopcsa	1923 1923 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.		Non-mosasaurid mosasauroid.
Elliptonodon	Emmons	1858 1858 in paleontology -Mammals:...	Nomen dubium Nomen dubium In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application... .		Nomen dubium.
Eonatator Eonatator Eonatator is a genus of halisaurine mosasaur from the Upper Cretaceous of North America and Europe. Originally, this taxon was included within Halisaurus, but was placed in its own genus...	Bardet Pereda Suberbiola Iarochène Bouya Amaghzaz	2005 2005 in paleontology -New taxa:-New taxa:-Xiphosurans:* Fossils of Lunataspis, the earliest known xiphosuran, are discovered in Canada. It was not given a formal description until 2008, however.-New taxa:-Newly named dinosaurs:...	Disputed.		Possible junior synonym of Halisaurus Halisaurus Halisaurus is an extinct genus of marine lizard belonging to the mosasaur family. With a length of 3–4 m , it was small compared to most other mosasaurs. It was named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1869, but renamed Baptosaurus by Marsh in 1870, who thought the name was already in use by a fish... .
Globidens Globidens Globidens is an extinct genus of mosasaur lizard.Globidens alabamaensis was first described by Gilmore . A second species was described by Russell . The third North American species Globidens ("Globe teeth") is an extinct genus of mosasaur lizard.Globidens alabamaensis was first described by...	Gilmore	1912 1912 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.
Goronyosaurus Goronyosaurus Goronyosaurus nigeriensis is a species of crocodile-like mosasaur from the Late Cretaceous of Sokoto State, Niger and northwestern Nigeria.-External links:*...	Azzaroli de Guili Ficcarelli Torre	1972 1972 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.
Haasiasaurus Haasiasaurus Haasiasaurus is an extinct genus of mosasaur, originally named "Haasia" by M. J. Polcyn et al., in honour of the palaeontologist Georg Haas...	Polcyn Tchernov Jacobs	2003 2003 in paleontology -New taxa:-Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-New taxa:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:-newly named:-Conifers:-Angiosperms:...	Valid.
Hainosaurus Hainosaurus Hainosaurus is an extinct genus of marine lizard belonging to the mosasaur family. It was one of the largest mosasaurs, though its size has been revised more than once. At first it was estimated to be , and the largest mosasaurid. During the 1990s, its size was revised to long; more recently,...	Dollo	1885 1885 in paleontology -New taxa:...	Valid.
Halisaurus Halisaurus Halisaurus is an extinct genus of marine lizard belonging to the mosasaur family. With a length of 3–4 m , it was small compared to most other mosasaurs. It was named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1869, but renamed Baptosaurus by Marsh in 1870, who thought the name was already in use by a fish...	Marsh	1869 1869 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:-New taxa:-New taxa:...	Valid.		Renamed Baptosaurus Marsh, 1870 when Marsh thought the name was preoccupied by a fish Fish Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups... : Halosaurus Halosaurus Halosaurus is a genus of fish in the family Halosauridae. This genus currently contains the following recognized specis:* Halosaurus attenuatus Garman, 1899* Halosaurus carinicauda... . Modern rules allow the original.
Holcodus	Gibbs	1851 1851 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-Newly named plesiosaurs:...	Nomen dubium Nomen dubium In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application... .		Nomen dubium, possible junior synonym of Platecarpus Platecarpus Platecarpus is an extinct genus of aquatic lizard belonging to the mosasaur family, living around 75 million years ago during the end of the Cretaceous period. Fossils have been found in Belgium and the United States as well as a possible specimen in Africa. Platecarpus probably fed on fish,...
Holosaurus	Marsh	1880 1880 in paleontology -New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Preoccupied.		Referred to Platecarpus Platecarpus Platecarpus is an extinct genus of aquatic lizard belonging to the mosasaur family, living around 75 million years ago during the end of the Cretaceous period. Fossils have been found in Belgium and the United States as well as a possible specimen in Africa. Platecarpus probably fed on fish,... .
Hydrosaurus	Kornhuber	1873 1873 in paleontology -New taxa:...	Preoccupied.		Preoccupied by an agamid lizard Lizard Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains... ; renamed Pontosaurus Pontosaurus Pontosaurus is a now extinct genus of pythonomorph from the Late Cretaceous period. It was originally named Hydrosaurus, but that name was preoccupied by an agamid lizard, so it was renamed.... .
Igdamanosaurus Igdamanosaurus Igdamanosaurus is a genus of mosasaur from the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous of Africa.-References:* Fossil Vertebrates - Fauna and Concepts by W. Sargeant and William A.S. Sargeant...	Zdansky	1935 1935 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:* Charles Gilmore returned to prospect for fossils in the Two Medicine Formation.-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:-References:* Trexler, D., 2001, Two Medicine Formation, Montana: geology and fauna: In: Mesozoic Vertebrate Life, edited by Tanke, D. H., and Carpenter, K., Indiana University...	Valid.
Kolposaurus Kolposaurus Kolposaurus is a junior synonym of both:* Nothosaurus and* Plotosaurus...	Camp	1942 1942 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data coutersy of George Olshevky's dinosaur genera list.-Non-mammalian:...	Preoccupied.		Preoccupied by a junior synonym of Nothosaurus Nothosaurus Nothosaurus is an extinct genus of sauropterygian reptile from the Triassic period, approximately 240-210 million years ago, with fossils being distributed from North Africa and Europe to China... , referred to Plotosaurus Plotosaurus Plotosaurus is an extinct genus of mosasaur from the Upper Cretaceous of Fresno County, California. Originally named Kolposaurus by Berkeley paleontologist Charles Lewis Camp in 1942, it was changed to Plotosaurus in 1951 when Camp discovered the name had already been assigned to a type of...
Komensaurus Komensaurus Komensaurus was a genus of mosasauroid from the Late Cretaceous period....	Caldwell Palci	2007 2007 in paleontology -newly named:-New taxa:-Newly named non-avian dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevky's dinosaur genera list.-Newly named birds:-New papers:...	Valid.		Non-mosasaurid mosasauroid.
Kourisodon Kourisodon Kourisodon is an extinct genus of mosasaur. Fossils have been found from Vancouver Island in British Columbia that date back to the late Santonian stage of the Late Cretaceous.-References:-External links: in the Paleobiology Database...	Nicholls Meckert	2002 2002 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-New taxa:-Pterosaurs:In October, a partial Mesadacylus wing was discovered in the Kingsview Quarry of Colorado...	Valid.
Lakumasaurus	Novas Fernandez Gasparini de Lirio Mumez Puerta	2002 2002 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-New taxa:-Pterosaurs:In October, a partial Mesadacylus wing was discovered in the Kingsview Quarry of Colorado...	Jr. synonym.		Junior synonym of Taniwhasaurus Taniwhasaurus Taniwhasaurus is an extinct genus of mosasaur, a carnivorous, marine reptile which inhabited New Zealand, Japan and Antarctica. The genus was a close relative of the genera Tylosaurus and Hainosaurus.-Species:-T... .
Latoplatecarpus Latoplatecarpus Latoplatecarpus is an extinct genus of plioplatecarpine mosasaur from the Campanian of North America. The genus was named in 2011 with the new species L. willistoni. A second species, L. nichollsae, was reassigned from the genus Plioplatecarpus. L. nichollsae is known from the Pierre Shale of...	Konishi Caldwell	2011 2011 in paleontology -Lobopods:-Arachnids:-Insects:-Newly named jawless vertebrates:-Newly named acanthodian:-Newly named cartilaginous fishes:-Newly named bony fishes:-Newly named lepospondyls:-Newly named temnospondyls:-Newly named lissamphibians:...	Valid.
Leiodon	Owen	1841 1841 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:* On June 30, Sir Richard Owen presents his findings regarding some enormous bones that the Reverend William Buckland had acquired at an earlier date. He names the new genus to which these bones belong "Cetiosaurus." This event marks the first scientific description of a sauropod.* Owen...	Preoccupied.		Preoccupied by a shark Shark Sharks are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago.... , referred to Liodon Liodon Liodon is a genus of mosasaur from the Late Cretaceous. Remains assigned to this genus have been found in Africa, Asia, Europe, America and South America, and New Zealand. It was first named by Richard Owen as Leiodon, but that name was already in use for a fish, necessitating the name... .
Lesticodus	Leidy	1861 1861 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:-New taxa:...	Nomen dubium Nomen dubium In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application... .		Nomen dubium.
Lestosaurus	Marsh	1872 1872 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:...	Jr. synonym.		Junior synonym of Platecarpus Platecarpus Platecarpus is an extinct genus of aquatic lizard belonging to the mosasaur family, living around 75 million years ago during the end of the Cretaceous period. Fossils have been found in Belgium and the United States as well as a possible specimen in Africa. Platecarpus probably fed on fish,... .
Liodon Liodon Liodon is a genus of mosasaur from the Late Cretaceous. Remains assigned to this genus have been found in Africa, Asia, Europe, America and South America, and New Zealand. It was first named by Richard Owen as Leiodon, but that name was already in use for a fish, necessitating the name...	Agassiz	1846 1846 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.
Macrosaurus	Owen	1849	Jr. synonym.		Junior synonym of Halisaurus Halisaurus Halisaurus is an extinct genus of marine lizard belonging to the mosasaur family. With a length of 3–4 m , it was small compared to most other mosasaurs. It was named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1869, but renamed Baptosaurus by Marsh in 1870, who thought the name was already in use by a fish... .
Mesoleptos Mesoleptos Mesoleptos was a genus of mosasauroid from the Late Cretaceous period....	Cornalia	1851 1851 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-Newly named plesiosaurs:...	Valid.		Putative non-mosasaurid mosasauroid.
Moanasaurus Moanasaurus Moanasaurus was a genus of mosasaur from the Late Cretaceous period. Its fossil remains have been discovered in the North Island of New Zealand. Moanasaurus was a very large mosasaurine known originally from a disarticulated skull, vertebrae, ribs and paddle bones...	Wiffen	1980 1980 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-New taxa:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:-References:...	Valid.
Mosasaurus Mosasaurus Mosasaurus is a genus of mosasaur, carnivorous, aquatic lizards, somewhat resembling flippered crocodiles, with elongated heavy jaws. The genus existed during the Maastrichtian age of the Cretaceous period , around 70-65 millions years ago in the area of modern Western Europe and North America...	Conybeare	1822 1822 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:* James Parkinson publishes a general text on paleontology wherein he illustrates and describes teeth belonging to Megalosaurus. Because his reference to this name in print was earlier to William Buckland's formal description of the genus some people have concluded that Parkinson was...	Valid.
Nectoportheus	Cope	1868 1868 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Nomen dubium Nomen dubium In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application... .		Nomen dubium.
Opetiosaurus	Kornhuber	1901 1901 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data coutersy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database....	Jr. synonym.		Junior synonym of Aigialosaurus Aigialosaurus Aigialosaurus is an extinct genus of mosasauroid within the family Aigialosauridae. Its fossils have been found in Europe. It contains two species, Aigialosaurus dalmaticus and Aigialosaurus bucchichi. Aigialosaurs were some of the oldest and most primitive ancestors of mosasaurs.... .
Oterognathus	Dollo	1889 1889 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:-New taxa:...	Jr. synonym.		Junior synonym of Plioplatecarpus Plioplatecarpus Plioplatecarpus is a genus of mosasaur lizard. Like all mosasaurs, it lived in the late Cretaceous period, about 83.5 million years ago.-Description:... .
Phosphorosaurus	Dollor	1889 1889 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:-New taxa:...	Disputed.		Junior synonym of Halisaurus Halisaurus Halisaurus is an extinct genus of marine lizard belonging to the mosasaur family. With a length of 3–4 m , it was small compared to most other mosasaurs. It was named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1869, but renamed Baptosaurus by Marsh in 1870, who thought the name was already in use by a fish... .
Platecarpus Platecarpus Platecarpus is an extinct genus of aquatic lizard belonging to the mosasaur family, living around 75 million years ago during the end of the Cretaceous period. Fossils have been found in Belgium and the United States as well as a possible specimen in Africa. Platecarpus probably fed on fish,...	Cope	1869 1869 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:-New taxa:-New taxa:...	Valid.
Plesioplatecarpus Plesioplatecarpus Plesioplatecarpus is an extinct genus of plioplatecarpine mosasaur. The name was erected in 2011 to incorporate Platecarpus planifrons, which was found to be distinct from Platecarpus in a phylogenetic analysis....	Konishi Caldwell	2011 2011 in paleontology -Lobopods:-Arachnids:-Insects:-Newly named jawless vertebrates:-Newly named acanthodian:-Newly named cartilaginous fishes:-Newly named bony fishes:-Newly named lepospondyls:-Newly named temnospondyls:-Newly named lissamphibians:...	Valid.
Plesiotylosaurus Plesiotylosaurus Plesiotylosaurus is a genus of mosasaur from the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous of North America.-References:* Dinosaurs and Other Mesozoic Reptiles of California by Richard P. Hilton, Kevin Padian, and Ken Kirkland...	Camp	1942 1942 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data coutersy of George Olshevky's dinosaur genera list.-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.
Plioplatecarpus Plioplatecarpus Plioplatecarpus is a genus of mosasaur lizard. Like all mosasaurs, it lived in the late Cretaceous period, about 83.5 million years ago.-Description:...	Dollo	1882 1882 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:-Non-mammalian:-Paleontologists:* The fossil collection of the recently deceased Reverend William Fox, which contained over 500 specimens, was bought by the trustees of the British Museum of Natural History....	Valid.
Plotosaurus Plotosaurus Plotosaurus is an extinct genus of mosasaur from the Upper Cretaceous of Fresno County, California. Originally named Kolposaurus by Berkeley paleontologist Charles Lewis Camp in 1942, it was changed to Plotosaurus in 1951 when Camp discovered the name had already been assigned to a type of...	Camp	1951 1951 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.
Pluridens Pluridens Pluridens walkeri was a species of ichthyosaur-like mosasaur. It lived in what are Niger and Nigeria, from the Late Cretaceous....	Lingham-Sollar	1998 1998 in paleontology -Amphibians:A. C. Henrici. 1998. A new pipoid anuran from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation at Dinosaur National Monument, Utah. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 18:321-332-Dinosaurs:...	Jr. synonym.		Junior synonym of Halisaurus Halisaurus Halisaurus is an extinct genus of marine lizard belonging to the mosasaur family. With a length of 3–4 m , it was small compared to most other mosasaurs. It was named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1869, but renamed Baptosaurus by Marsh in 1870, who thought the name was already in use by a fish... .
Pontosaurus Pontosaurus Pontosaurus is a now extinct genus of pythonomorph from the Late Cretaceous period. It was originally named Hydrosaurus, but that name was preoccupied by an agamid lizard, so it was renamed....	Kornhuber	1873 1873 in paleontology -New taxa:...	Valid.		Non-mosasaurid mosasauroid.
Proaigialosaurus Proaigialosaurus Proaigialosaurus is an extinct genus of semi-aquatic diapsid reptile. The genus was erected by Kuhn , based upon skull fragments, which have since been lost....	Kuhn	1958 1958 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.		Non-mosasaurid mosasauroid.
Prognathodon Prognathodon Prognathodon is an extinct genus of marine reptile belonging to the mosasaur family. It had protective bony rings surrounding its eye sockets, indicating it lived in deep water. its fossil remains have been found in the U.S.A , Canada , Belgium, New Zealand, Morocco and The Netherlands...	Dollo	1889 1889 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:-New taxa:...	Valid.
Prognathosaurus	Dollo	1889 1889 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:-New taxa:...	Jr. synonym.		Junior synonym of Prognathodon Prognathodon Prognathodon is an extinct genus of marine reptile belonging to the mosasaur family. It had protective bony rings surrounding its eye sockets, indicating it lived in deep water. its fossil remains have been found in the U.S.A , Canada , Belgium, New Zealand, Morocco and The Netherlands... .
Pterycollosaurus	Dollo	1882 1882 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:-Non-mammalian:-Paleontologists:* The fossil collection of the recently deceased Reverend William Fox, which contained over 500 specimens, was bought by the trustees of the British Museum of Natural History....	Jr. synonym.		Junior synonym of Mosasaurus Mosasaurus Mosasaurus is a genus of mosasaur, carnivorous, aquatic lizards, somewhat resembling flippered crocodiles, with elongated heavy jaws. The genus existed during the Maastrichtian age of the Cretaceous period , around 70-65 millions years ago in the area of modern Western Europe and North America... .
Rhamphosaurus	Cope	1872 1872 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:...	Preoccupied.		Preoccupied by another lizard Lizard Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains... , referred to Tylosaurus Tylosaurus Tylosaurus was a mosasaur, a large, predatory marine lizard closely related to modern monitor lizards and to snakes.-Paleobiology:... .
Rhinosaurus	Marsh	1872 1872 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:...	Preoccupied.		Preoccupied, referred to Tylosaurus Tylosaurus Tylosaurus was a mosasaur, a large, predatory marine lizard closely related to modern monitor lizards and to snakes.-Paleobiology:... .
Rikisaurus	Wiffen	1990 1990 in paleontology -newly named:-Newly named taxa:-Dinosaurs:* All Anatosaurus species except A. copei were moved to the previously existing genus Edmontosaurus by Brett-Surman* "Seismosaurus" gastroliths documented.-Newly named dinosaurs:...	Jr. synonym.	New Zealand	Junior synonym of Moanasaurus Moanasaurus Moanasaurus was a genus of mosasaur from the Late Cretaceous period. Its fossil remains have been discovered in the North Island of New Zealand. Moanasaurus was a very large mosasaurine known originally from a disarticulated skull, vertebrae, ribs and paddle bones... .
Rikkisaurus	Bell Caldwell Holmes Wiffen McKee	1999 1999 in paleontology -Insects:-Newly named taxa:-Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-New taxa:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:-References:...	Lapsus calami.		Lapsus calami of Rikisaurus.
Russellosaurus Russellosaurus Russellosaurus is a basal mosasauroid from the Upper Cretaceous of North America. The genus was described from a skull discovered in an exposure of the Arcadia Park Shale at Cedar Hill, Dallas County in south-central Texas...	Polson Bell	2005 2005 in paleontology -New taxa:-New taxa:-Xiphosurans:* Fossils of Lunataspis, the earliest known xiphosuran, are discovered in Canada. It was not given a formal description until 2008, however.-New taxa:-Newly named dinosaurs:...	Valid.	North America
Saurochampsa	Wagler	1830 1830 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database....	Jr. synonym.		Junior synonym of Mosasaurus Mosasaurus Mosasaurus is a genus of mosasaur, carnivorous, aquatic lizards, somewhat resembling flippered crocodiles, with elongated heavy jaws. The genus existed during the Maastrichtian age of the Cretaceous period , around 70-65 millions years ago in the area of modern Western Europe and North America... .
Selmasaurus Selmasaurus Selmasaurus is a genus of medium-sized plioplatecarpine mosasaur from the Upper Cretaceous Mooreville Chalk Formation of western Alabama...	Wright Shannon	1988 1988 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.* The dubious family, Ornitholestidae is named by Gregory Scott Paul.-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:...	Valid.
Sironectes	Cope	1840 1840 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-Newly named plesiosaurs:...	Jr. synonym.		Junior synonym of Platecarpus Platecarpus Platecarpus is an extinct genus of aquatic lizard belonging to the mosasaur family, living around 75 million years ago during the end of the Cretaceous period. Fossils have been found in Belgium and the United States as well as a possible specimen in Africa. Platecarpus probably fed on fish,... .
Taniwhasaurus Taniwhasaurus Taniwhasaurus is an extinct genus of mosasaur, a carnivorous, marine reptile which inhabited New Zealand, Japan and Antarctica. The genus was a close relative of the genera Tylosaurus and Hainosaurus.-Species:-T...	Hector	1874 1874 in paleontology -Newly named dinosaurs:-New taxa:-Newly named pterosaurs:-new taxa:...	Valid.
Tethysaurus Tethysaurus Tethysaurus was a genus of mosasaur from the Early Turonian period. The only species is Tethysaurus nopscai. The name means "Tethys' lizard of Nopsca", a reference to the Greek goddess of the sea Tethys and to the Hungarian paleontologist Baron Ferenc Nopsca, who made...	Bardet Superbiola Jalil	2003 2003 in paleontology -New taxa:-Newly named dinosaurs:Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list and Dr. Jeremy Montague's dinosaur genus database.-New taxa:-New taxa:-Non-mammalian:-newly named:-Conifers:-Angiosperms:...	Valid.	Africa
Tylosaurus Tylosaurus Tylosaurus was a mosasaur, a large, predatory marine lizard closely related to modern monitor lizards and to snakes.-Paleobiology:...	Marsh	1872 1872 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:...	Valid.
Vallecillosaurus Vallecillosaurus Vallecillosaurus was a genus of mosasauroid from the Late Cretaceous period....	Smith Buchy	2008 2008 in paleontology -Angiosperms:-Monocots:-New taxa:-Insects:-Xiphosurans:-Placoderms:-Amphibians:Jenkins, F. A., jr, Shubin, N. H., Gatesy, S. M., and Warren, A., 2008, Gerrothorax pulcherrimus from the Upper Triassic Fleming Fjord Formation of East Greenland and a reassessment of head lifting in temnospondyl...	Valid.	North America	Non-mosasaurid mosasauroid.
Yaguarasaurus Yaguarasaurus Yaguarasaurus was a genus of mosasaur from the Late Cretaceous period of Colombia, South America. The remains discovered were defined as a new genus and species of the tribe Plioplatecarpini, Yaguarasaurus columbianus, by the Colombian paleontologist María Páramo, former director of the Museo de...	Paramo	1994 1994 in paleontology -Dinosaurs:* Aff. Rebbachisaurus gastroliths documented.* The "Talkeetna Mountains Hadrosaur" specimen was discovered in a quarry being excavated for road material. The quarry is near the Glenn Highway, approximately 150 miles northeast of Anchorage...	Valid.

er="0" style= height:"100%" align="right" style="background:transparent;">

Scope and terminology

Mosasaur genera

See also