Fossils of China

Lyrarapax is a radiodont genus of the family Amplectobeluidae that lived in the early Cambrian period 518 million years ago. Its fossils were found in the Maotianshan Shales of China. The first species, Lyrarapax unguispinus was described in 2014, with a second species, Lyrarapax trilobus being described in 2016, differing principally in the morphology of its frontal appendages.

Tsaidamotherium is an extinct genus of Late Miocene ovibovinid caprine from the Tibetan Plateau of Northwestern China. Both known species are extremely unusual in that the horns are of unequal sizes: the left horn core is several times smaller than the right horn core. Although it is originally considered that it belongs to the tribe Ovibovini, close to the muskox, Ovibos moschatus, a study in 2022 posits Tsaidamotherium as a giraffoidean genus in the family Prolibytheriidae together with Prolibytherium and Discokeryx.

Sinostega ("Chinese roof") is an extinct genus of early "tetrapod" from the Late Devonian of China.

species of archaic humans

Mucrospirifer is a genus of extinct brachiopods in the class Rhynchonellata (Articulata) and the order Spiriferida. They are sometimes known as "butterfly shells". Like other brachiopods, they were filter feeders. These fossils occur mainly in Middle Devonian strata and appear to occur around the world, except in Australia and Antarctica.

Jianchangnathus is an extinct genus of basal pterosaur from the Middle Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation of northeastern China.

Yuanansuchus is an extinct genus of mastodonsauroid temnospondyl. Fossils have been found from the Xinlingzhen formation in Yuan'an County, Hubei, China and date back to the Anisian stage of the Middle Triassic.

Guanlingsaurus is an extinct genus of shastasaurid ichthyosaur from the Late Triassic of China. It grew up to in length and has a wide, triangular skull with a short and toothless snout.

Horodyskia is a fossilised organism found in rocks dated from to . Its shape has been described as a "string of beads" connected by a very fine thread. It is considered one of the oldest known eukaryotes.

Douzhanopterus is an extinct genus of monofenestratan pterosaur from the Late Jurassic of Liaoning, China. It contains a single species, D. zhengi, named by Wang et al. in 2017. In many respects, it represents a transitional form between basal pterosaurs and the more specialized pterodactyloids; for instance, its tail is intermediate in length, still being about twice the length of the femur but relatively shorter compared to that of the more basal Wukongopteridae. Other intermediate traits include the relative lengths of the neck vertebrae and the retention of two, albeit reduced, phalanx bon

Parakannemeyeria is an extinct genus of dicynodont. Fossils of the genus have been found in the Ermaying, Tongchuan and Kelamayi Formations of China.

Cyclopygidae is a family of asaphid trilobites from the Ordovician. Cyclopygids had an extratropical distribution, and there is evidence that they lived in darker parts of the water column (around 175m deep). Cyclopygids are characterized by enlarged eyes, with a wide angle of view, both horizontal and vertical, reminiscent of the eyes of dragonflies. These typically touch the glabella directly on the side. Cyclopygids all lack genal spines, but Symphysops carries a forward directed frontal spine on the glabella. It is presumed that at least the members of the genus Pricyclopyge swam upside do

Yunnanodon ("Yunnan tooth", from China's Yunnan province where it was discovered, and the Greek odon (ὀδών) meaning "tooth") is an extinct genus of tritylodontid mammaliamorphs that lived in China during the Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic period. Its specific name brevirostre is Latin for "short-beaked" (brevis ("short") + rostrum ("beak")).

Vilevolodon is an extinct, monotypic genus of volant, arboreal euharamiyids from the Oxfordian age of the Late Jurassic of China. The type species is Vilevolodon diplomylos. The genus name Vilevolodon references its gliding capabilities, Vilevol (Latin for "glider"), while don (Greek for "tooth") is a common suffix for mammalian taxon titles. The species name diplomylos refers to the dual mortar-and-pestle occlusion of upper and lower molars observed in the holotype; diplo (Greek for "double"), mylos (Greek for "grinding").

Kyphosichthys is an extinct genus of basal actinopterygian bony fish known from the lower Middle Triassic (Anisian) marine deposits (Guanling Formation) in Luoping, eastern Yunnan Province, southwestern China. The species is the first known fossil record of highly deep-bodied ginglymodians.

Antennacanthopodia is a small lobopodian from the Chengjiang biota that dates to about 520 million years ago (Cambrian Stage 3). It is similar to the extant Onychophora (velvet worm) and is the only widely accepted stem-onychophoran lobopodian from the Cambrian period. Antennacanthopodia had nine pairs of stubby legs, a pair of potential ocelli, and two pairs of antennae. The first pair of antennae were much longer than the second and are still present in modern onychophorans. The identity of the smaller antennae are less clear, but they might be homologous with either the slime papillae or on

Largocephalosaurus is an extinct genus of basal saurosphargid, a marine reptile known from the Middle Triassic (Anisian age) Guanling Formation of Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces, southwestern China. It contains a type species, Largocephalosaurus polycarpon, and a second species L. qianensis.

Ignacius is a genus of extinct mammal from the early Cenozoic era. This genus is present in the fossil record from around 62-33 Ma (late Torrejonian-Chadronian North American Land Mammals Ages). The earliest known specimens of Ignacius come from the Torrejonian of the Fort Union Formation, Wyoming and the most recent known specimens from Ellesmere Island in northern Canada. Ignacius is one of ten genera within the family Paromomyidae, the longest living family of any plesiadapiforms, persisting for around 30 Ma during the Paleocene and Eocene epochs. The analyses of postcranial fossils by pale

Docofossor is an extinct mammaliaform (a docodont) from the Jurassic period. Its remains have been recovered in China from 160-million-year-old rocks. It appears to have been the earliest-known subterranean mammaliaform, with adaptations remarkably similar to the modern Chrysochloridae, the golden moles.

Largirostrornis is a genus of enantiornithean bird. One species has been named, Largirostornis sexdentoris. It lived during the Early Cretaceous and is known from fossils found in the Jiufotang Formation in Liaoning province, People's Republic of China. Some researchers believe this species to be a junior synonym of the similar Cathayornis yandica.

Berriasella is a discoidal evolute perisphinctacean ammonite, and type genus for the neocomitid subfamily Berriasellinae. Its ribbing is distinct, consisting of both simple and bifurcated ribs that extend from the umbilical seam across the venter; its whorl section generally compressed, the venter more or less narrowly rounded. The species Berriasella jacobi traditionally has been regarded an index fossil defining the base of the Cretaceous, however since 2016 this had been replaced by the first occurrence of Calpionella alpina. Some authors regard B. jacobi as instead belonging to the genus S

Eocathayornis is a genus of enantiornithean birds that was probably more basal or "primitive" than related genera Sinornis and Cathayornis. These birds lived during the Early Cretaceous in today's People's Republic of China.

Discokeryx is an extinct genus of even-toed ungulates, possibly related to the modern giraffe and okapi. D. xiezhi was alive during the Early Miocene period 17–16.9 million years ago. Fossilized remains of this animal were discovered in the Halamagai Formation located in northwest China. This species is known for their thick skulls and stumpy necks used for fighting other male D. xiezhi.

Sinomammut (meaning "Chinese Mammut") is a mammutid proboscidean from the Miocene of China. Only one species, S. tobieni, is known, named in 2016.

Rugosodon is an extinct genus of multituberculate (rodent-like) mammals from eastern China that lived 160 million years ago during the Jurassic period. The discovery of its type species and currently only known species Rugosodon eurasiaticus was reported in the 16 August 2013 issue of Science.

Eoredlichia is an extinct genus of trilobite of average to large size (up to long, or when including the spine on the ninth thorax segment pointing horizontally to the back, that itself equals the main body length). It lived during the early Cambrian (late Atdabanian) in the Chengjiang fauna of Yunnan, China, and in Australia and Thailand. Eoredlichia is compounded of the Greek (eos, dawn) and Redlichia, a later but related genus, so it means "early Redlichia". The species epithet intermedia means intermediate, indicating it is morphologically intermediate between other species. Eofallotaspis

Xinjiangchelys is an extinct genus of xinjiangchelyid turtle known from the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous of China and Kyrgyzstan. It is known from over 11 different species.

Himalayasaurus is an extinct genus of ichthyosaur from the Late Triassic Qulonggongba Formation of Tibet. The type species Himalayasaurus tibetensis was described in 1972 on the basis of fragmentary remains, including teeth, limb bones, and vertebrae. The entire body length of Himalayasaurus is estimated to have been over in length. Himalayasaurus has since been considered a nomen dubium or "dubious name" because of the lack of features that set it apart from other ichthyosaurs, although the presence of distinct cutting edges on its teeth have more recently been proposed as a unique feature of

Youngosuchus is an extinct genus of archosaur from the Middle Triassic of China. The type species is Y. sinensis. Y. sinensis was first described in 1973 as a new species of the erythrosuchid Vjushkovia. In 1985, it was reassigned as its own genus of rauisuchid. A 1992 study supported the original classification of Youngosuchus sinensis as an erythrosuchid, but more recent studies classify it as a "rauisuchian"-grade loricatan archosaur completely unrelated to Vjushkovia, which is most likely a synonym of Garjainia.

Asialepidotus is an extinct genus of prehistoric marine ray-finned fish that lived during the Ladinian stage of the Middle Triassic epoch. It contains a single species, A. shingyiensis, from Guizhou, China.

Halazhaisuchus is an extinct genus of archosauriform from the Early Triassic of China. It is known from a single species, Halazhaisuchus qiaoensis, which was named in 1982 from the lower Ermaying Formation in Shaanxi. It was assigned to the family Euparkeriidae as a close relative of the genus Euparkeria from South Africa. Halazhaisuchus is known from a single holotype specimen called V6027, which was discovered in 1977 and includes a portion of the vertebral column, some ribs, two scapulae and two humeri, the right radius and ulna, and a left coracoid. Two rows of plate-like bones called oste

Colobodus is an extinct genus of marine Triassic ray-finned fish of the family Colobodontidae and order Perleidiformes. Fossils have been found in Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland) and China, encompassing the former Tethys Ocean. It could reach body lengths of about .

Chuhsiungichthys is an extinct genus of ichthyodectiform ray-finned fish that lived in freshwater environments in what is now Yunnan, China, and Kyushu, Japan during the Cretaceous. It differs from its sister genus, Mesoclupea, primarily by having a comparatively more anteriorly-placed dorsal fin.

Eximipriapulus is a genus of priapulid-like organisms, perhaps belonging to the crown group, known from the Chengjiang biota.

Fossiomanus is an extinct genus of tritylodontid mammaliamorphs from the Early Cretaceous of China. It includes one species, F. sinensis, which is known from a single nearly complete skeleton from the Aptian Jiufotang Formation. Features of its limbs and vertebrae indicate that Fossiomanus was adapted towards a fossorial lifestyle.

Aulacopleura is a genus of proetid trilobite that lived from the Middle Ordovician to the Middle Devonian. Some authors may classify this group as subgenus Otarion (Aulacopleura). The cephalon is semicircular or semielliptical, with border and preglabellar field. The glabella is short, with or without defined eye ridges connecting it with eyes of variable size. Spines at the rear outer corners of the cephalon (or genal spines) are present, typically reaching back to the 2nd to 4th thorax segment. The 'palate' (or hypostome) is not connected to the dorsal shield of the cephalon (or natant). The

Bienotheroides is an extinct genus of tritylodontid mammaliamorphs from the Jurassic of China and Mongolia. The genus contains six species, primarily known from cranial remains.

Hanosaurus is an extinct genus of marine reptiles that existed during the Triassic period in what is now China. The type species is Hanosaurus hupehensis. It was a small animal, with specimens measuring long in total body length, which likely fed on soft-bodied prey.

Microbrachius is an extinct genus of tiny, advanced antiarch placoderms closely related to the bothriolepids. Specimens range in age from the Lower Devonian Late Emsian Stage (393.3 Ma) to the Middle Devonian Upper Givetian Stage (382.7 Ma). They are characterized by having large heads with short thoracic armor of an average length of 2–4 cm. There are patterns of small, but noticeable tubercles on the armor, with the arrangement varying from species to species. Specimens of Microbrachius have been found in Scotland, Belarus, Estonia, and China.

Eoandromeda is an Ediacaran organism consisting of eight radial spiral arms, and known from two taphonomic modes: the standard Ediacara type preservation in Australia, and as carbonaceous compressions from the Doushantuo formation of China, where it is abundant.

Yunnanocephalus is a genus of ptychopariid trilobite. It lived during the late Atdabanian and Botomian stages, in what are currently Antarctica, Australia and China. It was a "moderately common" member of the Chengjiang Fauna.

Cricocosmia is an abundant palaeoscolecid worm endemic to the Early Cambrian Chengjiang Biota of Yunnan, China. It resembles modern priapulids, and holds a pivotal role in understanding the evolution of early ecdysozoans. It possessed paired lateral sclerites and paired ventral projections which have been compared with early panarthropod legs. It was a detritivore, living in shallow horizontal burrows, sometimes in great concentration.

Lingyuanopterus () is a genus of istiodactylid pterosaur from the Aptian age Jiufotang Formation in western Liaoning, China. The type and only species is L. camposi, known from the holotype specimen IVPP V 17940 a near complete skull, mandible and atlas-axis complex.

Archaeomeryx is an extinct genus of ruminant that lived early in the Eocene. It is believed to be close to the ancestry of the group Pecora, which includes deer, giraffes, cows and their relatives. Unlike the modern members of this group, it had a set of functioning incisors in the upper jaw. It was small in size, comparable to a modern-day mouse deer. It was also very rabbit-like and had several distinctive characteristics. It lived in present-day China 35 to 40 million years ago.

Ptychoceratodus is an extinct genus of lungfish living from Early Triassic to Middle Jurassic. It was established by Otto Jaekel for one species (P. runcinatus), transferred from Ceratodus genus. Type species is P. serratus from the Middle Triassic of Switzerland and Germany. Ptychoceratodus had two pairs of massive dental plates, bearing 4-6 acute ridges. Its skull roof was composed from massive, plate-like bones. In the central part of skull roof was localized an unossified fenestra. Most of the Ptychoceratodus findings are isolated dental plates, some associated with jaws. Other parts of sk

Eohupehsuchus is a genus of extinct aquatic diapsid from the Upper Spathian (latest Early Triassic) of Hubei Province, located in Central China. The genus is monotypic and belongs to the order Hupehsuchia, whose members are characterized by toothless beak-like snouts, a row of dermal plates along their backs, and aquatic adaptations including paddle-shaped limbs and fusiform bodies with pachyostotic ribs.

Otogornis is an extinct genus of enantiornithean that lived during the Barremian stage of the Early Cretaceous epoch.

Sinognathus is an extinct genus of gomphodont cynodonts from the Middle Triassic Ermaying Formation of China. Its type and only species is Sinognathus gracilis, which was named in 1959 by the Chinese palaeontologist C. C. Young.

Isanichthys is an extinct genus of freshwater lepidotid ginglymodian fish from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. Four species are known from Thailand, China and the United Kingdom, two of which were previously classified in genera.

Acanthodiscus is an extinct ammonoid cephalopod genus from the order Ammonitida and included in the persphinctacean family Berriasellidae. The type species, named by Bruguière, 1792, is Acanthodiscus radiatus.

Guanshancaris is an extinct genus of amplectobeluid radiodont known from the Cambrian Stage 4 Guanshan Biota of southern China. It is only known from a single species. G. kunmingensis which was described in 2013 as a species of Anomalocaris before being placed in a new genus in 2023. Like many other radiodonts, it is only known from fragmentary remains, including its frontal appendages and the oral cone. It has been suggested to have been durophagous. Based on the proportions of Anomalocaris, it is estimated to have been long.

Hindeodus is an extinct genus of conodonts in the family Anchignathodontidae. The generic name Hindeodus is a tribute to George Jennings Hinde, a British geologist and paleontologist from the 1800s and early 1900s. The suffix -odus typically describes the animal's teeth, essentially making Hindeodus mean Hinde-teeth.

Chengjiangocaris is an extinct genus of fuxianhuiid arthropod known from the Cambrian of South China. It contains two species, C. longiformis which was described in 1991. C. kunmingensis was described in 2013 by Javier Ortega-Hernández and colleagues. One specimen of C. kunmingensis shows detailed evidence of a nervous system. The nervous system of the chengjiangocaris is and has always been very complex to understand but a recent discovery of the ladder like ventral nerval cords and segmental ganglia of the related chengjiangocaris together with the brain provides the most comprehensive recon

Pectodens (meaning "comb tooth") is an extinct genus of archosauromorph reptile which lived during the Middle Triassic in China. The type and only species of the genus is P. zhenyuensis, named by Chun Li and colleagues in 2017. It was a member of the Archosauromorpha, specifically part of the unnatural grouping Protorosauria. However, an unusual combination of traits similar (such as the long neck) and dissimilar (such as the absence of a hook on the fifth metatarsal bone) to other protorosaurs initially led to confusion over its evolutionary relationships. In 2021, it was placed in a newly-es

Parelasmotherium is an extinct genus of rhinocerotids that lived in Northern China about 11.1 million years ago in the Late Miocene. With its large body and its hypsodont grazing teeth, it belonged to the subfamily Elasmotheriinae and was a relative of the later Elasmotherium, which was widespread over large parts of northern Asia in the Pleistocene.

extinct genus of fishes

Geragnostus is a genus of very small agnostid trilobites whose fossils are found Ordovician-aged marine strata from Eurasia, North America and Argentina.

Fuyuansaurus is an extinct genus of "protorosaur" reptiles (probably part of Tanystropheidae) known from the Middle Triassic (Ladinian stage) Zhuganpo Formation of southern China. Fuyuansaurus was first named by Nicholas C. Fraser, Olivier Rieppel and Li Chun in 2013 and the type species is Fuyuansaurus acutirostris.

Barracudasaurus is a dubious genus of ichthyosaur from the Triassic of China, containing the single species B. maotaiensis.