Earliest Prehistoric Animals

AnimalAge (Millions of Years Ago)TypeSignificance
Haikouichthys~530FishEarliest known fish-like vertebrate, providing insights into the early evolution of vertebrates.
Eusthenopteron~385AmphibianEarly lobe-finned fish, considered a close relative of tetrapods and illustrating early vertebrate evolution.
Tiktaalik~375AmphibianTransitional fossil between fish and tetrapods, providing insights into the evolutionary steps to land adaptation.
Cladoselache~370SharkOne of the earliest known sharks, characterized by its streamlined body and fossilized remains found in North America.
Hylonomus~315SauropsidOne of the earliest known sauropsids, resembling modern lizards in some features.
Archaeothyris~306SynapsidOne of the earliest known synapsids, representing the transition from reptilian ancestors to synapsids.
Paleothyris~306ReptileEarly reptile considered a basal member of reptiliomorphs, the group from which reptiles evolved.
Edaphosaurus~303-272SynapsidEarly synapsid known for its sail-like structure, showcasing herbivorous adaptations.
Dimetrodon~295-272SynapsidIconic sail-backed synapsid, not a direct ancestor of mammals but an important part of synapsid evolution.
Araeoscelis~290SauropsidEarly diapsid reptile known for its elongated body and adaptations for terrestrial life.
Proterosuchus~252ArchosaurOne of the earliest archosaurs, known for its semi-aquatic lifestyle and sprawling gait.
Procynosuchus~252SynapsidEarly cynodont, a group of advanced synapsids that eventually gave rise to mammals.
Dongusuchus~251ArchosaurAn early archosauriform, contributing to our understanding of the diversity and distribution of early archosaurs.
Chaohusaurus~250-248IchthyosaurEarly ichthyosaur that provides insight into the early evolution and adaptation of ichthyosaurs to aquatic life.
Keichousaurus~248-240SauropterygianOne of the earliest known sauropterygians, providing insights into the early adaptations to marine life.
Cartorhynchus~248IchthyosaurOne of the earliest known ichthyosaurs, showcasing transitional features between terrestrial reptiles and more derived ichthyosaurs.
Erythrosuchus~247ArchosaurA large, early archosaur, providing insights into the evolution of terrestrial apex predators.
Nyasasaurus~243DinosaurPotentially the earliest known dinosaur, from the Middle Triassic, though its classification is debated.
Mixosaurus~242-235IchthyosaurOne of the more well-known early ichthyosaurs, showcasing a blend of features found in both primitive and more advanced ichthyosaurs.
Turfanosuchus~242ArchosaurAn early archosaur that helps bridge the morphological gap between more primitive archosauriforms and later archosaurs.
Nothosaurus~240-210SauropterygianEarly sauropterygian that bridges the gap between primitive forms and more advanced plesiosaurs.
Prestosuchus~238ArchosaurA well-known early archosaur that provides insight into the morphology and lifestyle of early terrestrial predators.
Megalancosaurus~237-201SquamateAn early lizard-like reptile from the Late Triassic, showing some features similar to those of squamates.
Staurikosaurus~233DinosaurEarly theropod.
Saturnalia~233DinosaurEarly sauropodomorph.
Buriolestes~233DinosaurEarly sauropodomorph.
Eoraptor~231-228DinosaurOne of the earliest known dinosaurs.
Herrerasaurus~231-228DinosaurOne of the earliest theropods.
Eodromaeus~231DinosaurEarly theropod.
Panphagia~231DinosaurOne of the earliest sauropodomorphs.
Preondactylus~228-216PterosaurOne of the earliest and most primitive pterosaurs known.
Scleromochlus~228-210PterosaurConsidered a close relative or an early form of pterosaur.
Pisanosaurus~228DinosaurOne of the earliest ornithischians.
Guaibasaurus~228DinosaurEarly dinosaur that may belong to the theropod lineage.
Adelobasileus~225MammalEarly mammal-like cynodont, considered to be one of the closest relatives to true mammals.
Postosuchus~221ArchosaurA later archosaur but still early in the lineage leading to crocodylomorphs.
Hesperosuchus~220CrocodylomorphOne of the earliest known crocodylomorphs, showing transitional features between early archosaurs and later crocodilians.
Sphenosuchus~220CrocodylomorphEarly crocodylomorph known for its slender build and adaptations for hunting in aquatic environments.
Eudimorphodon~210PterosaurEarly pterosaur with well-preserved remains, showing early adaptations for flight.
Thalassiodracon~201PlesiosaurOne of the earliest plesiosaurs, showing a mix of primitive and derived features.
Attenborosaurus~201PlesiosaurEarly plesiosaur.
Megazostrodon~200MammalOne of the earliest known mammals, representing the transition from reptilian ancestors to true mammals.
Morganucodon~200MammalEarly mammal with fossil evidence of fur and differentiated teeth, showing early mammalian adaptations.
Plesiosaurus~199-175PlesiosaurThe genus after which the group is named, with well-preserved specimens providing key anatomical insights.
Scelidosaurus~193AnkylosaurOne of the earliest known armored dinosaurs, showcasing early features that later ankylosaurs evolved from.
Huayangosaurus~168StegosaurOne of the earliest known stegosaurs, found in China.
Tingitana~166SquamateOne of the earliest well-preserved squamates from the Middle Jurassic.
Yinlong~161CeratopsianOne of the earliest known ceratopsians, found in China.
Protopteryx~160BirdEarly bird from China, providing insights into the early stages of bird evolution.
Kentrosaurus~155StegosaurEarly stegosaur from Africa, known for its smaller size and well-developed defensive spikes on its body.
Gargoyleosaurus~155AnkylosaurEarly ankylosaur known from North America.
Archaeopteryx~150BirdOne of the most famous early birds, known from fossils in Germany, showcasing a mix of reptilian and avian features.
Eoconfuciusornis~130BirdEarly bird from China, bridging the gap between non-avian dinosaurs and modern birds.
Psittacosaurus~125-100CeratopsianEarly ceratopsian known for its parrot-like beak and relatively primitive features compared to later ceratopsians.
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