List of European dinosaurs facts for kids
Dinosaurs evolved partway through the Triassic period of the Mesozoic era, around 230 Ma (million years ago). At that time, the earth had one supercontinental landmass, called Pangaea, of which Europe was a part. So it remained throughout the Triassic. By the start of the Jurassic period, some 30 million years later, the supercontinent began to split into Laurasia and Gondwana. The largest inlet from Panthalassa, the superocean that surrounded Pangaea, was called the Tethys Ocean, and as this inlet cut deeper into the supercontinent, much of Europe was flooded.
By the Cretaceous, from 145 to 66 million years ago, the continents were beginning to approach their present shapes, but not their present positions, and Europe remained tropical. At times, it was a chain of island-microcontinents including Baltica and Iberia.
Europe is relatively rich in fossils from the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary, and much of what is known about European dinosaurs dates from this time. During the Maastrichtian the end of the Cretaceous dinosaurs were dominating western and Central Europe as the Tremp Formation in Spain dates back to that age. Examples of dinosaurs from Maastrichtian Europe are Struthiosaurus and Canardia.
Contents
Criteria for inclusion
- The genus must appear on the List of dinosaur genera.
- At least one named species of the creature must have been found in Europe.
- This list is a complement to Category:Mesozoic dinosaurs of Europe.
List of European dinosaurs
Valid genera
| Name | Year | Formation | Location | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abditosaurus | 2022 | Tremp Group (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) |  Spain |
Larger and distantly related to other European sauropods, suggesting it was an immigrant from another continent |  |
| Acanthopholis | 1867 | Chalk Group (Early Cretaceous to Late Cretaceous, Albian to Cenomanian) |  England |
Possessed keeled oval scutes as well as long spines |  |
| Adynomosaurus | 2019 | Tremp Group (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Spain |
Relatively basal despite its late age |  |
| Aepisaurus | 1852 | Grès vert (Early Cretaceous, Albian) |  France |
Known only from a humerus which shares some features with camarasaurids and titanosaurs |  |
| Ajkaceratops | 2010 | Csehbánya Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian) |  Hungary |
Its ancestors may have migrated from Asia via island-hopping |  |
| Allosaurus | 1877 | Lourinhã Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) |  Portugal |
Two species, including the type, are known from the United States. The European species may be a synonym of A. fragilis | |
| Alocodon | 1973 | Cabaços Formation (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian) | Portugal |
Had vertical grooves on its teeth |  |
| Altispinax | 1923 | Wadhurst Clay Formation (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian) | England |
Possessed elongated neural spines that may have supported a hump-like structure as in Concavenator |  |
| Amanzia | 2020 | Reuchenette Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) |  Switzerland |
One bone preserves fossilized cartilage. Originally believed to be a species of Ornithopsis or Cetiosauriscus |  |
| Ampelosaurus | 1995 | Argiles et Grès à Reptiles Formation, Grès de Labarre, Gres de Saint-Chinian, Marnes Rouges Inférieures Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | France |
Had three different types of osteoderms, including spines, plates, and bulbs |  |
| Anoplosaurus | 1879 | Cambridge Greensand (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | England |
Considered an ankylosaur despite the fact no osteoderms have been found. Historically suggested to be an ornithopod | .jpg) |
| Aragosaurus | 1987 | Villar del Arzobispo Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian) | Spain |
Reportedly had a unique ischium |  |
| Arcovenator | 2014 | Argiles et Grès à Reptiles Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian) | France |
Most closely related to abelisaurids from India and Madagascar |  |
| Arenysaurus | 2009 | Tremp Group (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Spain |
One of the last lambeosaurines prior to their extinction |  |
| Aristosuchus | 1887 | Wealden Group (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
May have had long claws based on referred unguals |  |
| Asylosaurus | 2007 | Unnamed fissure fill (Late Triassic, Rhaetian) | England |
Remains originally identified as Thecodontosaurus |  |
| Atsinganosaurus | 2010 | Argiles et Grès à Reptiles Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | France |
Belongs to a unique clade of southwestern European titanosaurs |  |
| Aviatyrannis | 2003 | Alcobaça Formation (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian to Tithonian) | Portugal |
Although originally described as a tyrannosauroid, it may in fact be the oldest known ornithomimosaur |  |
| Barilium | 2010 | Wadhurst Clay (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian) | England |
Robust with strong vertebrae and short neural spines |  |
| Baryonyx | 1986 | Weald Clay Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
One specimen was found with the remains of fish and a juvenile iguanodont in its stomach, suggesting it was a generalist predator |  |
| Betasuchus | 1932 | Maastricht Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) |  Netherlands |
The first terrestrial vertebrate named from the Maastrichtian stage |  |
| Blasisaurus | 2010 | Arén Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Spain |
Only known from a partial skull but can be distinguished from contemporary lambeosaurines |  |
| Bothriospondylus | 1875 | Kimmeridge Clay (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | England |
Several specimens have been assigned to this genus, but most of them have been reclassified into different genera |  |
| Bradycneme | 1975 | Sânpetru Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) |  Romania |
Potentially an alvarezsaurid | |
| Brighstoneus | 2021 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
Possessed a long snout tipped with a low bump |  |
| Burianosaurus | 2017 | Peruc-Korycany Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) |  Czech Republic |
May be closely allied to the rhabdodontids |  |
| Calamosaurus | 1891 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
Only known from two cervical vertebrae. Several bones have been referred to it over the years but there is no way to prove all of them belonged to the same genus |  |
| Calamospondylus | 1866 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Hauterivian) | England |
Only definitively known from only a sacrum and associated pelvic elements | |
| Callovosaurus | 1980 | Oxford Clay (Middle Jurassic, Callovian) | England |
The oldest known dryosaurid |  |
| Calvarius | 2023 | Tremp Group (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Spain |
May have been a cursorial biped similar to basal ornithopods despite being more derived |  |
| Camarillasaurus | 2014 | Camarillas Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | Spain |
Described as a ceratosaur but has since been reinterpreted as a spinosaurid |  |
| Camelotia | 1985 | Westbury Formation (Late Triassic to Early Jurassic, Rhaetian to Hettangian) | England |
One of the largest known non-sauropod sauropodomorphs |  |
| Canardia | 2013 | Marnes d'Auzas Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | France |
May have been a close relative of Aralosaurus |  |
| Cardiodon | 1841 | Forest Marble Formation (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) | England |
The first sauropod ever named. Known only from a tooth |  |
| Ceratosuchops | 2021 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
Differs from Baryonyx in subtle details of its skull |  |
| Cetiosauriscus | 1927 | Oxford Clay (Middle Jurassic, Callovian) | England |
Has been assigned to a variety of positions around Eusauropoda |  |
| Cetiosaurus | 1841 | Rutland Formation (Middle Jurassic, Bajocian to Bathonian) | England |
The first sauropod known from decent remains. Once believed to a large seagoing animal |  |
| Chondrosteosaurus | 1876 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
The air sacs in its vertebrae were originally believed to be filled with cartilage |  |
| Compsognathus | 1859 | Alcobaça Formation?, Portland Stone, Solnhofen Limestone (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | France Germany Portugal? |
One of the smallest known non-avian dinosaurs |  |
| Concavenator | 2010 | La Huérguina Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | Spain |
Preserves bumps on its ulna which have been interpreted as quill knobs, although they might have been muscle attachments instead |  |
| Craspedodon | 1883 | Unnamed formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian) |  Belgium |
May be the first neoceratopsian known from Europe |  |
| Craterosaurus | 1874 | Woburn Sands Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian) | England |
Potentially synonymous with Regnosaurus |  |
| Cruxicheiros | 2010 | Chipping Norton Limestone (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) | England |
Inconsistent in phylogenetic placement |  |
| Cryptosaurus | 1869 | Ampthill Clay (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian) | England |
Only known from a single femur |  |
| Cumnoria | 1888 | Kimmeridge Clay (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | England |
May be a species of Camptosaurus or something a little more basal |  |
| Dacentrurus | 1902 | Alcobaça Formation, Argiles d'Octeville, Kimmeridge Clay, Lourinhã Formation, Villar del Arzobispo Formation (Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, Kimmeridgian to Berriasian) | England France Portugal Spain |
Known from abundant remains. Lived in a broad range |  |
| Demandasaurus | 2011 | Castrillo de la Reina Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Aptian) | Spain |
Most closely related to African rebbachisaurids, suggesting a faunal exchange |  |
| Dinodocus | 1884 | Lower Greensand Group (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
The only known humerus is almost complete, missing only small portions |  |
| Dolichosuchus | 1932 | Löwenstein Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | Germany |
Originally classified as a stem-crocodile |  |
| Draconyx | 2001 | Lourinhã Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian) | Portugal |
May have been a member of an ornithopod clade that did not appear in North America, unlike other groups of the Late Jurassic animals |  |
| Dracopelta | 1980 | Lourinhã Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian) | Portugal |
The structure of its limbs suggest it might have had a cursorial lifestyle | |
| Dracoraptor | 2016 | Lias Group (Early Jurassic, Hettangian) |  Wales |
May have been a shore dweller due to its island habitat |  |
| Dromaeosauroides | 2003 | Jydegaard Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian) |  Denmark |
A referred coprolite has been found which contains fish remains, but it could instead belong to a turtle |  |
| Dubreuillosaurus | 2005 | Calcaire de Caen (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) | France |
Would have lived in a coastal mangrove swamp |  |
| Duriatitan | 2010 | Kimmeridge Clay (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | England |
Originally named as a species of Cetiosaurus |  |
| Duriavenator | 2008 | Inferior Oolite (Middle Jurassic, Bajocian) | England |
The most basal known member of the Megalosaurinae, which aligns with its stratigraphic position |  |
| Echinodon | 1861 | Purbeck Group (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian) | England |
Originally misidentified as a herbivorous lizard |  |
| Efraasia | 1973 | Löwenstein Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | Germany |
Some remains assigned to this genus were originally classified in separate genera |  |
| Elopteryx | 1913 | Sânpetru Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Romania |
May be closely related to Balaur and Gargantuavis |  |
| Emausaurus | 1990 | Ciechocinek Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian) | Germany |
One of the oldest and most basal thyreophorans |  |
| Eotyrannus | 2001 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
Possessed grasping hands with three long fingers |  |
| Eousdryosaurus | 2014 | Lourinhã Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | Portugal |
Described as a dryosaurid but one study suggests a close relationship with elasmarians | |
| Erectopus | 1923 | La Penthiève Beds (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | France |
One of the youngest known European carnosaurs |  |
| Eucamerotus | 1872 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
Preserves extensive evidence of pneumatization | |
| Eucercosaurus | 1879 | Cambridge Greensand (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | England |
Sometimes considered an ankylosaur but one study assigns it to Iguanodontia | |
| Euronychodon | 1991 | Argiles et sables de Taveiro (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian) | Portugal |
Only known from teeth. Another species has been found in Uzbekistan | |
| Europasaurus | 2006 | Süntel Formation (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian to Kimmeridgian) | Germany |
Much smaller than other sauropods due to its isolated island habitat |  |
| Europatitan | 2017 | Castrillo de la Reina Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Aptian) | Spain |
Some of this genus' remains include several vertebrae. The specific name, E. eastwoodi, honors director Clint Eastwood |  |
| Europelta | 2013 | Escucha Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | Spain |
Almost the entire skeleton is known |  |
| Eustreptospondylus | 1964 | Oxford Clay (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian) | England |
May have swum between islands similar to a Komodo dragon |  |
| Fylax | 2021 | Figuerola Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Spain |
Lived very late despite its comparatively basal position |  |
| Galvesaurus | 2005 | Villar del Arzobispo Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | Spain |
Also spelled Galveosaurus. Two sets of paleontologists named the same fossil seemingly unaware of each other's work, although there is evidence that one of them had plaigiarized the others, but misspelled the name | |
| Garrigatitan | 2021 | Argiles et Grès à Reptiles Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian) | France |
Known from remains of both adults and subadults | |
| Garumbatitan | 2023 | Arcillas de Morella Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | Spain |
Had a reduced claw on the third toe |  |
| Genusaurus | 1995 | Bevons Beds (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | France |
Has been suggested to be either a noasaurid or an abelisaurid | |
| Gideonmantellia | 2012 | Camarillas Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | Spain |
Originally misidentified as a specimen of Hypsilophodon |  |
| Gigantosaurus | 1869 | Kimmeridge Clay (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | England |
May have possessed osteoderms |  |
| Haestasaurus | 2015 | Hastings Beds (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian) | England |
Preserves impressions of differently-sized hexagonal scales |  |
| Halticosaurus | 1908 | Löwenstein Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | Germany |
Historically conflated with the bones of unrelated animals | |
| Heptasteornis | 1975 | Sânpetru Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Romania |
Once believed to be a giant prehistoric owl |  |
| Histriasaurus | 1998 | Unnamed formation (Early Cretaceous, Hauterivian to Barremian) |  Croatia |
Despite being discovered in Europe, it may have lived between southern Europe and Africa in life |  |
| Horshamosaurus | 2015 | Weald Clay (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
A supposed tibia has been reinterpreted as an ischium |  |
| Hungarosaurus | 2005 | Csehbánya Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian) | Hungary |
Possessed an elevated shoulder which may be an adaptation to high-browsing |  |
| Hylaeosaurus | 1833 | Grinstead Clay Formation?, Tunbridge Wells Sand Formation (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian) | England Germany? |
One of the three animals originally used to define the Dinosauria, along with Iguanodon and Megalosaurus |  |
| Hypselosaurus | 1869 | Argiles et Grès à Reptiles Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | France |
Several spherical eggs have been attributed to this taxon |  |
| Hypselospinus | 2010 | Wadhurst Clay (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian) | England |
Had elongated neural spines projecting from the top of its vertebrae |  |
| Hypsilophodon | 1869 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Hauterivian to Barremian) | England |
May have been a deer-like low browser that fed on young shoots and roots |  |
| Iberospinus | 2022 | Papo Seco Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | Portugal |
Basal yet already displays some adaptations for a semiaquatic lifestyle |  |
| Iguanodon | 1825 | Arcillas de Morella Formation, Camarillas Formation, Sainte-Barbe Clays Formation, Wadhurst Clay, Weald Clay, Wealden Formation, Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Aptian) | Belgium England Germany? Spain |
Multiple remains are known which make it one of the best known dinosaurs |  |
| Iliosuchus | 1932 | Stonesfield Slate (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) | England |
Only known from three ilia |  |
| Iuticosaurus | 1993 | Upper Greensand Formation, Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Hauterivian to Barremian) | England |
Two species have been named, each from a single caudal vertebra |  |
| Juratyrant | 2013 | Kimmeridge Clay (Late Jurassic, Tithonian) | England |
Originally named as a species of Stokesosaurus |  |
| Juravenator | 2006 | Painten Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | Germany |
Impressions of both scales and feathers are known. The tail preserves structures that may be integumentary sense organs like those of crocodiles, which it may have used to hunt for fish at night |  |
| Lexovisaurus | 1957 | Oxford Clay (Middle Jurassic, Callovian) | England |
Its pelvis was greatly enlarged |  |
| Liliensternus | 1984 | Trossingen Formation (Late Triassic, Norian to Rhaetian) | Germany |
Although commonly depicted with a head crest, there is no evidence for such a feature |  |
| Lirainosaurus | 1999 | Marnes Rouges Inférieures Formation?, Sierra Perenchiza Formation, Sobrepena Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian) | France? Spain |
For a titanosaur, it was small and had a relatively gracile build |  |
| Lohuecotitan | 2016 | Villalba de la Sierra Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian) | Spain |
May have had "bulb-and-root"-type osteoderms, which are abundant at the type locality |  |
| Lophostropheus | 2007 | Moon-Airel Formation (Late Triassic to Early Jurassic, Rhaetian to Hettangian) | France |
The only substantially well-known theropod from the Triassic-Jurassic boundary | |
| Loricatosaurus | 2008 | Marnes a Belemnopsis latesulcatus Formation, Oxford Clay (Middle Jurassic, Callovian) | England France |
Had narrow, flat plates on its back and round, pointed spines that ran along the tail |  |
| Losillasaurus | 2001 | Villar del Arzobispo Formation (Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, Kimmeridgian to Berriasian?) | Spain |
Was heterodont, having four types of teeth, one of which was heart-shaped |  |
| Lourinhanosaurus | 1998 | Lourinhã Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | Portugal |
More than one hundred eggs have been referred to this taxon |  |
| Lourinhasaurus | 1998 | Lourinhã Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | Portugal |
Closely related to Camarasaurus but with proportionately longer forelimbs |  |
| Lusitanosaurus | 1957 | Unknown formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian) | Portugal |
Poorly known but evidently large for a basal thyreophoran |  |
| Lusotitan | 2003 | Lourinhã Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | Portugal |
Originally named as a European species of Brachiosaurus |  |
| Lusovenator | 2020 | Lourinhã Formation (Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, Kimmeridgian to Berriasian) | Portugal |
The oldest carcharodontosaurian known from Eurasia |  |
| Macrurosaurus | 1869 | Cambridge Greensand, Chalk Group? (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | England |
Only known from a series of caudal vertebrae |  |
| Magnamanus | 2016 | Golmayo Formation (Early Cretaceous, Hauterivian to Barremian) | Spain |
Possessed relatively enlarged hands | |
| Magnosaurus | 1932 | Inferior Oolite (Middle Jurassic, Bajocian) | England |
Confusingly, a referred specimen was simultaneously named as a species of this genus and of Sarcosaurus |  |
| Magyarosaurus | 1932 | Sânpetru Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Romania |
An insular dwarf titanosaur that was one of the smallest of its group |  |
| Mantellisaurus | 2007 | Arcillas de Morella Formation, Lower Greensand Group, Sainte-Barbe Clays Formation, Vectis Formation, Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Aptian) | Belgium England Germany? Spain |
Several specimens are known. Distinguishable from the contemporary Iguanodon by its more gracile build |  |
| Marmarospondylus | 1875 | Forest Marble Formation (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) | England |
Usually assigned to the genus Bothriospondylus, but this cannot be confirmed |  |
| Matheronodon | 2017 | Argiles et Grès à Reptiles Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian) | France |
Had extremely specialized dentition that may have been an adaptation to feeding on tough monocot plants |  |
| Megalosaurus | 1824 | Chipping Norton Limestone Formation, Taynton Limestone Formation (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) | England |
The first non-avian dinosaur scientifically named and described |  |
| Metriacanthosaurus | 1964 | Oxford Clay (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian) | England |
Possessed relatively tall neural spines for a carnosaur |  |
| Miragaia | 2009 | Lourinhã Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | Portugal |
Had an extremely elongated neck made up of seventeen vertebrae |  |
| Mochlodon | 1881 | Csehbánya Formation, Gosau Group (Late Cretaceous, Santonian to Campanian) |  Austria Hungary |
Originally named as a species of Iguanodon |  |
| Morelladon | 2015 | Arcillas de Morella Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | Spain |
Possessed a low sail on its back supported by elongated neural spines |  |
| Morinosaurus | 1874 | Unnamed formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | France |
Poorly known | |
| Neosodon | 1885 | Sables et Grès a Trigonia gibbosa (Late Jurassic, Tithonian) | France |
No species are assigned to this genus. Popularly associated with "Iguanodon" praecursor but is in fact a separate taxon |  |
| Neovenator | 1996 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Hauterivian to Barremian) | England |
Had a complex series of neurovascular canals lining its snout |  |
| Normanniasaurus | 2013 | Poudingue Ferrugineux (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | France |
Represents a European radiation of basal titanosaurs | |
| Notatesseraeraptor | 2019 | Klettgau Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | Switzerland |
Combines features of different groups of basal theropods |  |
| Nuthetes | 1854 | Lulworth Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian) | England |
Only known from jaws and teeth. Traditionally identified as a dromaeosaurid but it might be a proceratosaurid instead |  |
| Oblitosaurus | 2023 | Villar del Arzobispo Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | Spain |
The largest ornithopod known from the Late Jurassic of Europe |  |
| Oceanotitan | 2019 | Lourinhã Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | Portugal |
Potentially the oldest known somphospondylian |  |
| Ohmdenosaurus | 1978 | Posidonia Shale (Early Jurassic, Toarcian) | Germany |
Originally misidentified as a plesiosaur |  |
| Oplosaurus | 1852 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
The holotype tooth was pointed, which led to its misidentification as a carnivorous reptile |  |
| Ornithodesmus | 1887 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
Historically conflated with the remains of the pterosaur Istiodactylus |  |
| Ornithopsis | 1870 | Wealden Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England) |
Originally believed to be an intermediate form between birds, pterosaurs, and dinosaurs |  |
| Orthomerus | 1883 | Maastricht Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Netherlands |
Potentially dubious and undiagnostic |  |
| Ostromia | 2017 | Painten Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian) | Germany |
Considered a small pterosaur until it was redescribed as a specimen of Archaeopteryx in 1970. Some of its features are similar to those of Anchiornis |  |
| Owenodon | 2009 | Purbeck Limestone (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian) | England |
Has been assigned to Iguanodon and Camptosaurus before it received its own genus |  |
| Paludititan | 2010 | Sânpetru Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Romania |
Some of its bones are identical to those of Magyarosaurus, but their synonymy cannot be confirmed |  |
| Pararhabdodon | 1993 | Tremp Group (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Spain |
The first lambeosaurine identified from Europe |  |
| Pareisactus | 2019 | Tremp Group (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Spain |
Represented by a single scapula recovered from a hadrosaur bonebed |  |
| Pelecanimimus | 1994 | La Huérguina Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | Spain |
Preserves extensive soft tissue impressions revealing the presence of a keratinous head crest and a pelican-like gular pouch |  |
| Pelorosaurus | 1850 | Tunbridge Wells Sand Formation (Early Cretaceous, Hauterivian) | England |
The first sauropod identified as a terrestrial animal |  |
| Pendraig | 2021 | Pant-y-Ffynnon Quarry (Late Triassic, Norian to Rhaetian) | Wales |
Would have lived on a dry limestone island |  |
| Phyllodon | 1973 | Alcobaça Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | Portugal |
The front and back sides of its teeth were asymmetrical |  |
| Piveteausaurus | 1977 | Marnes de Dives Formation (Middle Jurassic, Callovian) | France |
Has been suggested to be a species of Proceratosaurus |  |
| Plateosaurus | 1837 | Klettgau Formation, Löwenstein Formation, Lunde Formation, Trossingen Formation (Late Triassic, Norian to Rhaetian) | France? Germany Norway Switzerland |
Known from over a hundred skeletons, several of them nearly complete |  |
| Pneumatoraptor | 2010 | Csehbánya Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian) | Hungary |
One study suggests a position as a possible early palaeognath |  |
| Poekilopleuron | 1836 | Calcaire de Caen (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) | France |
Its holotype was found alongside fish remains |  |
| Polacanthus | 1865 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
Possessed a flat sacral shield dotted with small bumps |  |
| Portellsaurus | 2021 | Margas de Mirambell Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | Spain |
Closely related to Ouranosaurus |  |
| Priodontognathus | 1875 | Lower Calcareous Grit (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian) | England |
Only known from a single maxilla with teeth | |
| Proa | 2012 | Escucha Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | Spain |
The tip of its jaw was shaped like the bow of a ship |  |
| Proceratosaurus | 1926 | Great Oolite Group (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) | England |
Preserves a small horn on its snout which may have anchored a crest as in the related Guanlong |  |
| Procompsognathus | 1913 | Löwenstein Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | Germany |
Has been suggested to be non-dinosaurian |  |
| Protathlitis | 2023 | Arcillas de Morella Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | Spain |
Large but basal for a spinosaurid |  |
| Pterospondylus | 1913 | Trossingen Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | Germany |
Known from only a single, large vertebra |  |
| Pyroraptor | 2000 | Argiles et Grès à Reptiles Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian) | France |
Its holotype specimen was exposed by a forest fire |  |
| Regnosaurus | 1848 | Tunbridge Wells Sand Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian) | England |
Potentially a stegosaur similar to Huayangosaurus |  |
| Rhabdodon | 1869 | Gres de Labarre Formation, Gres de Saint-Chinian, Marnes Rouges Inférieures Formation, Villalba de la Sierra Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian) | France Spain |
Although most rhabdodontids are insular dwarfs, this genus may represent an instance of island gigantism as it is much larger than other members of its family |  |
| Riabininohadros | 2020 | Unnamed formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) |  Crimea ( Russia de facto;  Ukraine de jure) |
Possessed a femur so unique it has no morphological equivalents across all of Iguanodontia |  |
| Riparovenator | 2021 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
Had elongated spines projecting from its caudal vertebrae somewhat similar to those of Spinosaurus |  |
| Ruehleia | 2001 | Trossingen Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | Germany |
Known from a single, nearly complete skeleton |  |
| Saltriovenator | 2018 | Saltrio Formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian) |  Italy |
The biggest theropod from the Early Jurassic yet known |  |
| Sarcolestes | 1893 | Oxford Clay (Middle Jurassic, Callovian) | England |
Originally misidentified as a carnivorous dinosaur |  |
| Sarcosaurus | 1921 | Lias Group, Scunthorpe Mudstone (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian) | England |
Has been variously suggested to be in different positions at the base of Neotheropoda |  |
| Scelidosaurus | 1859 | Lias Group (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian to Pliensbachian) | England |
Carried hundreds of small osteoderms in several rows along its back |  |
| Schleitheimia | 2020 | Klettgau Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | Switzerland |
Possessed a relatively enlarged ilium | |
| Scipionyx | 1998 | Pietraroja Plattenkalk (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | Italy |
So well preserved that several internal organs and their positions in life could be accurately reconstructed |  |
| Sciurumimus | 2012 | Unnamed formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | Germany |
Had a bushy tail similar to that of a squirrel |  |
| Soriatitan | 2017 | Golmayo Formation (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian to Barremian) | Spain |
The first confirmed brachiosaurid known from Early Cretaceous Europe |  |
| Stenopelix | 1857 | Obernkirchen Sandstein Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian) | Germany |
Possibly closely related to basal ceratopsians from Late Jurassic China |  |
| Streptospondylus | 1832 | Marnes de Dives/Marnes de Villers? (Middle Jurassic to Late Jurassic, Callovian to Oxfordian) | France |
Originally believed to represent a marine crocodile |  |
| Struthiosaurus | 1871 | Argiles et Grès à Reptiles Formation, Gosau Group, Sânpetru Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian to Maastrichtian) | Austria France Hungary? Romania |
Analysis of its braincase suggests poor hearing and a sluggish, solitary lifestyle |  |
| Syngonosaurus | 1879 | Cambridge Greensand (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | England |
Usually considered a synonym of Acanthopholis but it has been reinterpreted as an iguanodont |  |
| Tamarro | 2021 | Tremp Group (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Spain |
May have been closely related to Asian troodontids |  |
| Tanystrosuchus | 1963 | Löwenstein Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | Germany |
The only known vertebra was once misidentified as a phytosaur | |
| Tarascosaurus | 1991 | Fuvelian Beds (Late Cretaceous, Campanian) | France |
If an abelisaurid it would be one of the few northern members of the group | .jpg) |
| Tastavinsaurus | 2008 | Forcall Formation, Xert Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | Spain |
Could represent an obscure group of macronarians called Laurasiformes |  |
| Taveirosaurus | 1991 | Argilas de Aveiro Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Portugal Spain? |
Only known from teeth | |
| Teinurosaurus | 1928 | Mont-Lambert Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian) | France |
Poorly known |  |
| Telmatosaurus | 1903 | Sânpetru Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Romania |
One specimen preserves a facial deformity caused by an ameloblastoma |  |
| Tethyshadros | 2009 | Liburnia Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian) | Italy |
Had limbs adapted for high speed but were too short for running |  |
| Thecocoelurus | 1923 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
Has been assigned to a variety of theropod groups throughout history |  |
| Thecodontosaurus | 1836 | Magnesian Conglomerate (Late Triassic, Rhaetian) | England |
Remains of this genus are often found in Carboniferous-aged fissure fills |  |
| Thecospondylus | 1882 | Hastings Beds (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian to Hauterivian) | England |
Indeterminate within Dinosauria |  |
| Torvosaurus | 1979 | Kimmeridge Clay?, Lourinhã Formation, Ornatenton Formation (Middle Jurassic to Late Jurassic, Callovian to Tithonian) | England? Germany Portugal Spain? |
The type species was found in the United States. Several species lived around the world, including in Europe, but T. gurneyi is the only non-American species a formal name. It represents Europe's largest terrestrial predator |  |
| Transylvanosaurus | 2022 | Pui Beds (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Romania |
Had an unusually wide skull compared to other rhabdodontids | |
| Trimucrodon | 1973 | Lourinhã Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | Portugal |
Similarities have been noted with Alocodon and Taveirosaurus | |
| Tuebingosaurus | 2022 | Trossingen Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | Germany |
Although originally assigned to Plateosaurus, it contains several features that point to a more derived position |  |
| Turiasaurus | 2006 | Villar del Arzobispo Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | Spain |
Extremely large despite not being a member of Neosauropoda |  |
| Valdosaurus | 1977 | Hastings Beds, Tunbridge Wells Sand Formation, Weald Clay, Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Barremian) | England |
Large and similar to Dryosaurus |  |
| Vallibonavenatrix | 2019 | Arcillas de Morella Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | Spain |
One of the most complete spinosaurids known from Iberia |  |
| Variraptor | 1998 | Argiles et Grès à Reptiles Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian) | France |
May be closely related to Bambiraptor |  |
| Vectaerovenator | 2020 | Lower Greensand Group (Early Cretaceous, Aptian) | England |
Only known from four vertebrae but are distinct enough to be classified as their own genus |  |
| Vectidromeus | 2023 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
Mostly similar to Hypsilophodon but has enough differences to be classed as a new genus |  |
| Vectipelta | 2023 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Hauterivian to Barremian) | England |
May have been more closely related to Asian ankylosaurs than to European ones |  |
| Vectiraptor | 2021 | Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
Shares some features with North American dromaeosaurids |  |
| Velocipes | 1932 | Lissauer Breccia (Late Triassic, Norian) |  Poland |
Has been considered a dubious, indeterminate vertebrate |  |
| Volgatitan | 2018 | Unnamed formation (Early Cretaceous, Hauterivian) | Russia |
Closely related to South American titanosaurs |  |
| Vouivria | 2017 | Calcaires de Clerval (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian) | France |
The oldest known titanosauriform |  |
| Wiehenvenator | 2016 | Ornatenton Formation (Middle Jurassic, Callovian) | Germany |
Before its formal description, it had been nicknamed "the Monster of Minden" |  |
| Xenoposeidon | 2007 | Hastings Beds (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian) | England |
Only known from a single, very unique vertebra |  |
| Yaverlandia | 1971 | Vectis Formation?, Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian) | England |
Originally misidentified as a pachycephalosaur because of its thick skull roof |  |
| Zalmoxes | 2003 | Densus-Ciula Formation, Sânpetru Formation, Sebes Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Romania |
Two species of contrasting sizes have been named |  |
| Zby | 2014 | Lourinhã Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | Portugal |
Originally believed to be a specimen of Turiasaurus |  |
Invalid and potentially valid genera
-
Dinheirosaurus
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Gresslyosaurus
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"Ischyrosaurus"
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Koutalisaurus
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Mantellodon
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Merosaurus
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"Newtonsaurus"
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Pantydraco
-
Valdoraptor
-
Wellnhoferia
- Agrosaurus macgillivrayi: Originally mistakenly thought to be from Australia. It is now thought to be more likely from England, and possibly a synonym of Thecodontosaurus.
- Archaeopteryx: A well-known taxon that combines bird-like pennaceous feathers with the teeth, claws, and long tail of reptiles. It is usually considered a basal avialan but it might also be a non-avian deinonychosaur closely related to dromaeosaurids.
- Balaur bondoc: A strange paravian that possessed a suite of unique features, such as robust muscles, two sickle claws, a didactyl manus, and a deep gut. It may have been an island-dwelling herbivore or omnivore. Studies show it either as a velociraptorine dromaeosaurid or a basal avialan.
- "Bihariosaurus bauxiticus": Although sometimes presented as a valid taxon, it is actually a nomen nudum.
- Ceratosaurus: Some specimens, mostly teeth, from Portugal and Switzerland have been assigned to this genus, but not to a specific species.
- Darwinsaurus evolutionis: May be a synonym of either Hypselospinus or Mantellisaurus.
- Delapparentia turolensis: Said to be indistinguishable from Iguanodon.
- Dinheirosaurus lourinhanensis: Possibly a second species of Supersaurus.
- Gresslyosaurus: Often thought to be synonymous with Plateosaurus, although several differences between them have been noted.
- Huxleysaurus hollingtoniensis: Potentially a synonym of Hypselospinus.
- "Ischyrosaurus": The generic name Ischyrosaurus is preoccupied. The dinosaur may be a synonym of Ornithopsis.
- Koutalisaurus kohlerorum: Usually seen as a synonym of Pararhabdodon, but it could also be its own taxon.
- Kukufeldia tilgatensis: May be a synonym of Barilium.
- "Liassaurus huenei": Could potentially be a second specimen of Sarcosaurus.
- Mantellodon carpenteri: Known from a single specimen from Maidstone affectionally nicknamed a "Mantell-piece". While originally thought to be a specimen of Iguanodon, it may in fact be a synonym of Mantellisaurus.
- "Merosaurus newmani": Originally referred to Scelidosaurus, but it appears to be a theropod. This name remains informal.
- "Newtonsaurus" cambrensis: Said to be an early theropod, but it may be indeterminate within Archosauria.
- Oligosaurus adelus: May be synonymous with another genus of rhabdodontid.
- Ornithomerus gracilis: May be synonymous with another genus of rhabdodontid.
- Pachysauriscus ajax: Usually seen as a synonym of Plateosaurus, but a 2023 review considered it distinct.
- Pantydraco caducus: Originally named as a species of Thecodontosaurus, and indeed it may belong to that genus.
- Polacanthoides ponderosus: Potentially a synonym of Hylaeosaurus, Polacanthus or both (a chimera).
- Proplanicoxa galtoni: May be a junior synonym of Mantellisaurus.
- Rhadinosaurus alcimus: Suggested to be synonymous with Struthiosaurus, but it might have been a crocodilian instead.
- Sellacoxa pauli: Possibly synonymous with Barilium.
- Stegosaurus: Some bones from Portugal have been assigned to this genus, but not to a particular species.
- Suchosaurus: Two species have been named, both from teeth. They are indistinguishable from those of baryonychines and may in fact belong to Baryonyx.
- Therosaurus: This genus was named to accommodate the original type species of Iguanodon, I. anglicus. However, it was named before the type species was transferred to I. bernissartensis, so it remains a junior synonym of Iguanodon.
- Valdoraptor oweni: Potentially a junior synonym of Thecocoelurus.
- Wellnhoferia grandis: May be another specimen of Archaeopteryx.
Timeline
This is a timeline of selected dinosaurs from the list above. Time is measured in Ma, megaannum, along the x-axis.
See also
- Category: Cretaceous paleontological sites of Europe
- List of European birds
- List of dinosaur finds in the United Kingdom
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List of European dinosaurs Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.