Ichthyosauromorphs
Research
A study of phylogenetic relationships of ichthyopterygians is published by Ji et al. (2015); the authors introduced a new name, Grippioidea, for the clade containing the last common ancestor of Utatsusaurus hataii and Grippia longirostris, and all its descendants.[154]
An exceptionally large ichthyosaur radius, possibly belonging to a member of Shastasauridae (which, if confirmed, would indicate that members of the family survived until Early Jurassic) is described from the Hettangian Blue Lias Formation (south Wales, United Kingdom) by Martin et al. (2015).[155]
New taxa
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images
Cartorhynchus[156]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Motani et al.

Early Triassic (Olenekian)

Nanlinghu Formation

China

A relative of ichthyopterygians. The type species is Cartorhynchus lenticarpus.

Dearcmhara[157]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Brusatte et al.

Jurassic (Toarcian–Bajocian)

United Kingdom

A basal member of Neoichthyosauria. The type species is Dearcmhara shawcrossi.

Eretmorhipis[158]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Chen et al.

Early Triassic (late Spathian)

Jialingjiang Formation

China

A hupehsuchian. The type species is Eretmorhipis carrolldongi.

Ichthyosaurus anningae[159]

Sp. nov

Valid

Lomax & Massare

Early Jurassic (Hettangian/Sinemurian–Pliensbachian)

United Kingdom

A species of Ichthyosaurus.

Muiscasaurus[160]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid[161]

Maxwell et al.

Early Cretaceous (Barremian–Aptian)

Paja Formation

Colombia

A member of Ophthalmosauridae. The type species is Muiscasaurus catheti.

Sauropterygians
Research
A study on the growth patterns and strategies of placodonts is published by Klein et al. (2015).[162]
A study on the sexual selection and dimorphism in Keichousaurus hui is published by Motani et al. (2015).[163]
A study on the teeth replacement patterns during the ontogeny in pliosaurids is published by Sassoon, Foffa & Marek (2015).[164]
New taxa
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images
Anguanax[165]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid[166]

Cau & Fanti

Late Jurassic (Oxfordian)

Rosso Ammonitico Veronese Formation

Italy

A pliosaurid. The type species is Anguanax zignoi.

Atychodracon[167]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Smith

Early Jurassic

United Kingdom

A rhomaleosaurid plesiosaur; a new genus for "Plesiosaurus" megacephalus Stutchbury (1846).

Cardiocorax[168]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Araújo et al.

Late Cretaceous (early Maastrichtian)

Mocuio Formation

Angola

An elasmosaurid plesiosaur. The type species is Cardiocorax mukulu.

Dianmeisaurus[169]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Shang & Li

Middle Triassic (Anisian)

Guangling Formation

China

A member of Eosauropterygia of uncertain phylogenetic placement, more closely related to nothosaurs than to plesiosaurs. The type species is Dianmeisaurus gracilis.

Makhaira[170]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Fischer et al.

Early Cretaceous (Hauterivian)

Russia

A pliosaurid. The type species is Makhaira rossica.

Vegasaurus[171]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

O’Gorman et al.

Late Cretaceous (early Maastrichtian)

Snow Hill Island Formation

Antarctica (Vega Island)

An elasmosaurid plesiosaur. The type species is Vegasaurus molyi.

Wangosaurus[172]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Ma et al.

Middle Triassic (Ladinian)

Falang Formation

China

A pistosauroid. The type species is Wangosaurus brevirostris.

Lepidosaurs
Research
A phylogenetic analysis of living and fossil squamate relationships, based on morphological and molecular data, is published by Reeder et al. (2015).[173]
Miocene anoles from the Dominican amber, showing the habitat specializations also present in the extant Caribbean anoles, are described by Sherratt et al. (2015).[174]
New taxa
Rhynchocephalians
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images
Clevosaurus sectumsemper[175]

Sp. nov

Valid

Klein et al.

Late Triassic (Rhaetian)

United Kingdom

A clevosaurid sphenodontian, a species of Clevosaurus.

Lizards
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images
Archaerhineura[176]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Longrich et al.

Late Palaeocene

Polecat Bench Formation

United States

A rhineurid amphisbaenian. The type species is Archaerhineura mephitis.

Asagaolacerta[177]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Evans & Matsumoto

Early Cretaceous

Kuwajima Formation

Japan

A lizard of uncertain phylogenetic placement. The type species is Asagaolacerta tricuspidens.

Asprosaurus[178]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Park, Evans & Huh

Late Cretaceous

South Korea

A member of Anguimorpha, probably a member of Monstersauria. The type species is Asprosaurus bibongriensis.

Babibasiliscus[179]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Conrad

Eocene (approximately 48 Ma)

Bridger Formation

United States

A member of Corytophanidae. The type species is Babibasiliscus alxi.

Barbatteius[180]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid[181]

Venczel & Codrea

Late Cretaceous (early Maastrichtian)

Haţeg Basin

Romania

Originally assigned to the family Teiidae, but subsequently transferred to the separate family Barbatteiidae within the group Teiioidea.[182] The type species is Barbatteius vremiri.

Cadurcogekko verus[183]

Sp. nov

Valid

Bolet et al.

Eocene

France

A gekkotan lizard, a species of Cadurcogekko.

Chromatogenys[184]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Makádi & Nydam

Late Cretaceous (Santonian)

Hungary

A member of Scincomorpha of uncertain phylogenetic placement. The type species is Chromatogenys tiliquoides.

Chthonophis[176]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Longrich et al.

Probably early Palaeocene

Bug Creek Anthills, Fort Union Formation

United States

An amphisbaenian, the only member of the new family Chthonophidae. The type species is Chthonophis subterraneus.

Cuvieribaena[185]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Čerňanský, Augéc & Rage

Eocene (Bartonian)

France

A blanid amphisbaenian. The type species is Cuvieribaena carlgansi.

Dryadissector[186]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Wick, Lehman & Brink

Late Cretaceous (early Campanian)

Aguja Formation

United States

A member of Varanoidea. The type species is Dryadissector shilleri.

Gekkomimus[183]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Bolet et al.

Eocene

France

A skink; a new genus for "Cadurcogekko" rugosus Augé (2005).

Gueragama[187]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Simões et al.

Late Cretaceous (Turonian-Campanian)

Goio-Erê Formation

Brazil

The first member of Acrodonta (a relative of agamids and chameleons) described from South America. The type species is Gueragama sulamericana.

Hakuseps[177]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Evans & Matsumoto

Early Cretaceous

Japan

A squamate of uncertain phylogenetic placement. The type species is Hakuseps imberis.

Kuroyuriella[177]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Evans & Matsumoto

Early Cretaceous

Kuwajima Formation

Japan

A lizard of uncertain phylogenetic placement. The type species is Kuroyuriella mikikoi.

Norellius[188]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Conrad & Daza

Early Cretaceous (probably approximately 130 Mya)

Öösh Basin

Mongolia

A member of Gekkonomorpha of uncertain phylogenetic placement. The type species is Norellius nyctisaurops.

Ophisaurus holeci[189]

Sp. nov

Valid

Klembara

Miocene

Czech Republic
Germany[190][191]

A glass lizard.

Pachygenys adachii[192]

Sp. nov

Valid

Ikeda, Ota & Saegusa

Early Cretaceous

Sasayama Group

Japan

A squamate of uncertain phylogenetic placement, a species of Pachygenys.

Phosphorosaurus ponpetelegans[193]

Sp. nov

Valid[194]

Konishi et al.

Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)

Japan

A halisaurine mosasaur, a species of Phosphorosaurus.

Plioplatecarpus peckensis[195]

Sp. nov

Valid

Cuthbertson & Holmes

Late Cretaceous (Campanian)

Bearpaw Formation

United States

A mosasaur, a species of Plioplatecarpus.

Pseudopus rugosus[189]

Sp. nov

Valid

Klembara

Early Miocene

Czech Republic

A relative of the sheltopusik.

Tetrapodophis[196]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Martill, Tischlinger & Longrich

Early Cretaceous (Aptian)

Crato Formation

Brazil

A squamate reptile of uncertain phylogenetic placement; originally classified as an early, four-legged snake,[196] but subsequently argued to be a dolichosaurid.[197][198] The type species is Tetrapodophis amplectus.

Snakes
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images
Diablophis[199]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Caldwell et al.

Late Jurassic

Morrison Formation

United States

A basal snake; a new genus for "Parviraptor" gilmorei Evans (1996).

Eophis[199]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Caldwell et al.

Middle Jurassic (Bathonian)

Forest Marble

United Kingdom

A basal snake. The type species is Eophis underwoodi.

Portugalophis[199]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Caldwell et al.

Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)

Camadas de Guimarota

Portugal

A basal snake. The type species is Portugalophis lignites.

Renenutet[200]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Mccartney & Seiffert

Eocene (Priabonian)

Egypt

A member of Colubroidea. The type species is Renenutet enmerwer.

Turtles
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images
Adocus sengokuensis[201]

Sp. nov

Valid

Sonoda et al.

Early Cretaceous

Sengoku Formation

Japan

A species of Adocus.

Arvinachelys[202]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Lively

Late Cretaceous (Campanian)

Kaiparowits Formation

United States

A member of Baenidae. The type species is Arvinachelys goldeni.

Bairdemys thalassica[203]

Sp. nov

Valid

Ferreira et al.

Miocene

Capadare Formation

Venezuela

A podocnemidid belonging to the clade Stereogenyina, a species of Bairdemys.

Baltemys velogastros[204]

Sp. nov

Valid

Lichtig & Lucas

Eocene (early Bridgerian)

Huerfano Formation

United States

A member of Kinosternidae, a species of Baltemys.

Corsochelys bentleyi[205]

Sp. nov

Valid

Schwimmer et al.

Late Cretaceous

United States

A member of Dermochelyidae, a species of Corsochelys.

Desmatochelys padillai[206]

Sp. nov

Valid

Cadena & Parham

Early Cretaceous (late Barremian-early Aptian)

Paja Formation

Colombia

A member of Protostegidae, species of Desmatochelys.


Desmatochelys padillai
Gaffneylania[207]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Sterli, de la Fuente & Krause

Middle Eocene

Sarmiento Formation

Argentina

A member of Meiolaniidae. The type species is Gaffneylania auricularis.

Gobiapalone palaeocenica[208]

Sp. nov

Valid

Danilov et al.

Paleocene

Bugin Tsav Basin

Mongolia

A member of Trionychidae, a species of Gobiapalone. The genus Gobiapalone was considered to be a junior synonym of the genus Kuhnemys by Georgalis & Joyce (2017), though the authors maintained G. palaeocenica as a distinct species within the latter genus.[209]

Gomphochelys[210]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Bourque et al.

Early Wasatchian

Willwood Formation

United States

A member of Dermatemydidae. The type species is Gomphochelys nanus.

Judithemys russelli[211]

Sp. nov

Valid

Brinkman

Late Cretaceous

Canada

A member of (likely non-monophyletic) Macrobaenidae, a species of Judithemys.

Jurassichelon[212]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Pérez-García

Late Jurassic (early Tithonian)

France

A basal member of Eucryptodira. The type species is Jurassichelon oleronensis.

Khunnuchelys lophorhothon[213]

Sp. nov

Valid

Danilov et al.

Late Cretaceous (Santonian or early Campanian)

Bostobe Formation

Kazakhstan

A trionychine trionychid, a species of Khunnuchelys.

Kimurachelys[214]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Brinkman et al.

Late Cretaceous (late Campanian)

Dinosaur Park Formation

Canada

A chelonioid turtle. The type species is Kimurachelys slobodae.

Leyvachelys[215]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Cadena

Early Cretaceous (Barremian-Aptian)

Glen Rose Formation
Paja Formation

Colombia
United States

A member of Pan-Cryptodira belonging to the family Sandownidae. The type species is Leyvachelys cipadi.

Mauremys oshiroi[216]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Takahashi et al.

Late Pleistocene

Tomori Amaga Cave

Japan

A pond turtle.

Neurankylus hutchisoni[217]

Sp. nov

Valid[218]

Lively

Late Cretaceous (Campanian)

Kaiparowits Formation

United States

A member of Baenidae, a species of Neurankylus.

Neurankylus utahensis[217]

Sp. nov

Valid[218]

Lively

Late Cretaceous (Campanian)

Kaiparowits Formation

United States

A member of Baenidae, a species of Neurankylus.

Perochelys[219]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Li, Joyce & Liu

Early Cretaceous (Aptian)

Jiufotang Formation

China

A soft-shelled turtle of uncertain phylogenetic placement; it might be a stem- or a crown-trionychid. The type species is Perochelys lamadongensis.

Phunoichelys[220]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Tong et al.

Late Jurassic

Phu Kradung Formation

Thailand

A xinjiangchelyid eucryptodiran. The type species is Phunoichelys thirakhupti.

Portlandemys gracilis[221]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Anquetin, Püntener & Billon-Bruyat

Late Jurassic (late Kimmeridgian)

Reuchenette Formation

Switzerland

A plesiochelyid eucryptodiran, a species of Portlandemys.

Sternotherus bonevalleyensis[222]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Bourque & Schubert

Late Hemphillian

United States

A musk turtle.

Sternotherus palaeodorus[222]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Bourque & Schubert

Late Hemphillian

United States

A musk turtle.

Taraschelon[223]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid[224]

Pérez-García

Early Oligocene

France

A tortoise; a new genus for "Testudo" gigas Bravard (1844).

Testudo brevitesta[225]

Sp. nov

Valid[226]

Vlachos & Tsoukala

Late Pliocene (early Villafranchian)

Greece

A tortoise, a species of Testudo.

Thalassemys bruntrutana[227]

Sp. nov

Valid

Püntener, Anquetin & Billon-Bruyat

Late Jurassic (late Kimmeridgian)

Reuchenette Formation

Switzerland

A basal member of Pancryptodira, a species of Thalassemys.

Toremys[228]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Pérez-García et al.

Early Cretaceous (early Albian)

Spain

A pleurosternid paracryptodiran. The type species is Toremys cassiopeia.

"Trionyx" jixiensis[229]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Li et al.

Early Cretaceous

Chengzihe Formation

China

A member of Trionychinae of uncertain phylogenetic placement.

Xiaochelys[230]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Zhou & Rabi

Early Cretaceous (Barremian-early Aptian)

Yixian Formation

China

A member of Sinemydidae. The type species is Xiaochelys ningchengensis.

Archosauriformes
Pseudosuchians
Research
Revision of the type material of Rauisuchus tiradentes is published by Lautenschlager and Rauhut (2015).[231]
A study on the changes in the morphology of vertebrae caused by increased adaptation to aquatic locomotion in the evolution of crocodylomorphs is published by Molnar et al. (2015).[232]
A study of the evolutionary history of the clade Crocodyliformes is published by Bronzati, Montefeltro and Langer (2015).[233]
A study of impact of the climate changes on the evolution and biodiversity of pseudosuchian archosaurs is published by Mannion et al. (2015).[234]
A study on the phylogenetic position of thalattosuchians within Crocodylomorpha is published by Wilberg (2015).[235]
A review of the diagnostic features of the species assigned to the genus Machimosaurus is published by Martin, Vincent & Falconnet (2015).[236]
An isolated metriorhynchid tooth is described from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) Hybla Formation (Sicily, Italy) by Chiarenza et al. (2015), extending the known geological range of Metriorhynchidae and Thalattosuchia by approximately 7–8 million years;[237] Fischer et al. (2015) subsequently caution that it might potentially be a pliosaurid tooth instead.[170]
New taxa
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images
Albertosuchus[238]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Wu & Brinkman

Latest Cretaceous

Scollard Formation

Canada

A crocodylian, probably a crocodyloid. The type species is Albertosuchus knudsenii.

Allodaposuchus hulki[239]

Sp. nov

Valid

Blanco et al.

Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)

Tremp Formation

Spain

A eusuchian crocodylomorph, a species of Allodaposuchus.

Caiman wannlangstoni[240]

Sp. nov

Valid

Salas-Gismondi et al.

Late Middle Miocene

Pebas Formation

Peru

A caiman, a species of Caiman.

Carnufex[241]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Zanno et al.

Late Triassic (Carnian)

Pekin Formation

United States

An early member of Crocodylomorpha. The type species is Carnufex carolinensis.


Carnufex
Dagasuchus[242]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Lacerda, Schultz & Bertoni-Machado

Triassic (late Ladinian/early Carnian)

Santa Maria Formation

Brazil

A non-crocodylomorph loricatan. The type species is Dagasuchus santacruzensis.

Gnatusuchus[240]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Salas-Gismondi et al.

Late Middle Miocene

Pebas Formation

Peru

A caiman. The type species is Gnatusuchus pebasensis.

Gorgetosuchus[243]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Heckert et al.

Late Triassic

Pekin Formation

United States

An aetosaur. The type species is Gorgetosuchus pekinensis.

Koumpiodontosuchus[244]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Sweetman, Pedreira-Segade & Vidovic

Early Cretaceous (Barremian)

Wessex Formation

United Kingdom

A crocodyliform related to Bernissartia. The type species is Koumpiodontosuchus aprosdokiti.

Kuttanacaiman[240]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Salas-Gismondi et al.

Late Middle Miocene

Pebas Formation

Peru

A caiman. The type species is Kuttanacaiman iquitosensis.

Lohuecosuchus[245]

Gen. et 2 sp. nov

Valid

Narváez et al.

Late Cretaceous (late Campanian-early Maastrichtian)

France
Spain

A eusuchian crocodyliform related to Allodaposuchus. The type species is Lohuecosuchus megadontos; genus also contains Lohuecosuchus mechinorum.


Lohuecosuchus
Zoneait[246]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Wilberg

Middle Jurassic (Aalenian–Bajocian)

Snowshoe Formation

United States

A thalattosuchian crocodylomorph. The type species is Zoneait nargorum.

Non-avian dinosaurs
Research
A study of phylogenetic relationships of sauropod dinosaurs belonging to the family Diplodocidae and the taxonomic revision of the family is published by Tschopp, Mateus and Benson (2015); the authors propose to reestablish Brontosaurus as a genus distinct from Apatosaurus and to transfer Dinheirosaurus lourinhanensis to the genus Supersaurus.[247][248]
Additional information on the anatomy of the holotype specimen of the rebbachisaurid sauropod Tataouinea hannibalis, including description of newly discovered fossil material of this specimen, and study of its phylogenetic relationships is published by Fanti et al. (2015).[249]
A reevaluation of the estimated body mass of Dreadnoughtus schrani is published by Bates et al. (2015).[250]
A study of phylogenetic relationships of ornithischian dinosaurs traditionally referred to as ‘basal ornithopods’ or ‘hypsilophodontids’ is published by Boyd (2015).[251]
Carpenter & Lamanna (2015) reinterpret the ornithopod braincase from the Morrison Formation of the Carnegie Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument (Utah), formerly assigned to Uteodon aphanoecetes, as actually belonging to Dryosaurus cf. D. altus. The authors consider genera Uteodon and Cumnoria to be junior synonyms of Camptosaurus, and transfer the species Cumnoria prestwichii and Uteodon aphanoecetes to the genus Camptosaurus.[252]
New taxa
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images
Augustynolophus[253]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Prieto-Márquez et al.

Late Cretaceous (late Maastrichtian)

Moreno Formation

United States

A hadrosaurid; a new genus for "Saurolophus" morrisi Prieto-Márquez & Wagner (2013).

Boreonykus[254]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Bell & Currie

Late Cretaceous (late Campanian)

Wapiti Formation

Canada

A dromaeosaurid theropod. The type species is Boreonykus certekorum.

Chilesaurus[255]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Novas et al.

Late Jurassic (Tithonian)

Toqui Formation

Chile

A dinosaur of uncertain phylogenetic placement. Originally classified as a theropod dinosaur (a basal member of Tetanurae), but subsequently argued to be an ornithischian.[256] The type species is Chilesaurus diegosuarezi.


Chilesaurus
Crichtonpelta[257]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid[258]

Arbour & Currie

Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian–Turonian)

Sunjiawan Formation

China

An ankylosaurine ankylosaurid; a new genus for "Crichtonsaurus" benxiensis Lü, Ji, Gao & Li (2007).

Dakotaraptor[259]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

DePalma et al.

Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)

Hell Creek Formation

United States

A member of Dromaeosauridae. The type species is Dakotaraptor steini.


Dakotaraptor
Eucnemesaurus entaxonis[260]
Sp. nov

Valid

McPhee et al.

Late Triassic

Lower Elliot Formation

South Africa

A non-sauropod sauropodomorph, a species of Eucnemesaurus.

Galeamopus[247]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Tschopp, Mateus & Benson

Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)

Morrison Formation

United States

A diplodocid sauropod; a new genus for "Diplodocus" hayi Holland (1924).


Galeamopus
Haestasaurus [261]

Gen. et comb. nov.

Valid

Upchurch, Mannion & Taylor

Early Cretaceous (late Berriasian—Valanginian)

Hastings Beds

United Kingdom

A macronarian sauropod of uncertain phylogenetic placement; a new genus for "Pelorosaurus" becklesii Mantell (1852).


Haestasaurus
Horshamosaurus[262]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Blows

Early Cretaceous

United Kingdom

A new genus for "Polacanthus" rudgwickensis Blows (1996).

Hualianceratops [263]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Han et al.

Late Jurassic (Oxfordian)

Shishugou Formation

China

A basal ceratopsian, possibly a member of Chaoyangsauridae. The type species is Hualianceratops wucaiwanensis.


Hualianceratops
Huanansaurus[264]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Lü et al.

Late Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian)

Nanxiong Formation

China

An oviraptorid theropod. The type species is Huanansaurus ganzhouensis.


Huanansaurus
Iguanodon galvensis[265]

Sp. nov

Valid

Verdú et al.

Early Cretaceous (early Barremian)

Galve, Teruel

Spain

An ornithopod, a species of Iguanodon.

Ischioceratops[266]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

He et al.

Late Cretaceous

Wangshi Group

China

A leptoceratopsid ceratopsian. The type species is Ischioceratops zhuchengensis.


Ischioceratops
Koshisaurus[267]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Shibata & Azuma

Early Cretaceous

Kitadani Formation

Japan

A non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroid. The type species is Koshisaurus katsuyama.


Koshisaurus
Kunbarrasaurus[268]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Leahey et al.

Cretaceous (late Albian–(?)early Cenomanian)

Allaru Mudstone

Australia

An ankylosaur. The type species is Kunbarrasaurus ieversi.


Kunbarrasaurus
Lepidocheirosaurus[269]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Alifanov & Saveliev

Late Jurassic (Tithonian?)

Ukureyskaya Formation

Russia

A dinosaur of uncertain phylogenetic placement; considered to be a theropod dinosaur related to Nqwebasaurus by the authors of its description,[269] but subsequently argued to be an ornithischian, possibly synonymous with Kulindadromeus.[270] The type species is Lepidocheirosaurus natatilis.

Lepidus[271]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Nesbitt & Ezcurra

Late Triassic

Dockum Group

United States

A coelophysoid theropod. The type species is Lepidus praecisio.


Lepidus
Morelladon[272]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Gasulla et al.

Early Cretaceous (probably late Barremian)

Arcillas de Morella Formation

Spain

An ornithopod dinosaur, a basal member of Styracosterna. The type species is Morelladon beltrani.

Mosaiceratops[273]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Zheng, Jin & Xu

Late Cretaceous (early-middle Turonian—middle Campanian)

Xiaguan Formation

China

A basal neoceratopsian. The type species is Mosaiceratops azumai.


Mosaiceratops
Nebulasaurus[274]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Xing et al.

Middle Jurassic (Aalenian or Bajocian)

Zhanghe Formation

China

A eusauropod sauropod. The type species is Nebulasaurus taito.

Padillasaurus[275]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Carballido et al.

Early Cretaceous (Barremian)

Paja Formation

Colombia

A brachiosaurid sauropod. The type species is Padillasaurus leivaensis.

Probrachylophosaurus[276]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Freedman Fowler & Horner

Late Cretaceous (Campanian)

Judith River Formation

United States

A hadrosaurid. The type species is Probrachylophosaurus bergei.


Probrachylophosaurus
Pulanesaura[277]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

McPhee et al.

Early Jurassic (probably late Hettangian to Sinemurian)

Upper Elliot Formation

South Africa

A basal sauropod. The type species is Pulanesaura eocollum.


Pulanesaura
Qijianglong[278]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Xing et al.

Late Jurassic

Suining Formation

China

A mamenchisaurid sauropod. The type species is Qijianglong guokr.

Regaliceratops[279]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Brown & Henderson

Late Cretaceous (probably middle Maastrichtian)

St. Mary River Formation

Canada

A chasmosaurine ceratopsid. The type species is Regaliceratops peterhewsi.

Riabininohadros[280]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Ulansky

Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)

Mt. Besh-Kosh

Ukraine

A hadrosaurid of uncertain placement; new genus for "Orthomerus" weberi Riabinin, 1945.

Saurornitholestes sullivani[281]

Sp. nov

Valid

Jasinski

Late Cretaceous (late Campanian)

Kirtland Formation

United States

A member of Dromaeosauridae, a species of Saurornitholestes.

Sefapanosaurus[282]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Otero et al.

Late Triassic or Early Jurassic

Elliot Formation

South Africa

A non-sauropod sauropodomorph. The type species is Sefapanosaurus zastronensis.

Sirindhorna[283]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Shibata et al.

Early Cretaceous (Aptian)

Khok Kruat Formation

Thailand

A basal member of Hadrosauroidea. The type species is Sirindhorna khoratensis.


Sirindhorna
Ugrunaaluk[284]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Mori, Druckenmiller & Erickson

Late Cretaceous (early Maastrichtian)

Prince Creek Formation

United States

A saurolophine hadrosaurid. The type species is Ugrunaaluk kuukpikensis.


Ugrunaaluk
Wendiceratops [285]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Evans & Ryan

Late Cretaceous (Campanian)

Oldman Formation

Canada

A centrosaurine ceratopsid. The type species is Wendiceratops pinhornensis.


Wendiceratops
Yi[286]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Xu et al.

Jurassic (Callovian or Oxfordian)

Tiaojishan Formation

China

A scansoriopterygid theropod. The type species is Yi qi.

Zhenyuanlong[287]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Lü & Brusatte

Early Cretaceous

Yixian Formation

China

A dromaeosaurid theropod. The type species is Zhenyuanlong suni.


Zhenyuanlong
Birds
Research
Balaur bondoc, originally interpreted as a member of Dromaeosauridae, is argued to be a basal member of Avialae by Cau, Brougham and Naish (2015).[288]
Estimates of likely mass and flight capability of the extinct Chatham duck (Anas chathamica), as indicated by measurements of major bones, are published by Williams (2015).[289]
New cranial material of the Oligo-Miocene relative of flamingos, Harrisonavis croizeti, is described by Torres et al. (2015).[290]
New specimens of the Eocene relative of swifts, Scaniacypselus szarskii, are described by Mayr (2015).[291]
A specimen of a stem-coliiform Masillacolius brevidactylus with preserved skull is described by Mayr (2015).[292]
A study of the phylogenetic relationships of Psittacopes, Pumiliornis and Morsoravis, indicating their close relationship to the passerines and extinct family Zygodactylidae, is published by Mayr (2015); the author also introduced a new name, Parapasseres, for the clade containg Passeriformes and Zygodactylidae but not Psittacopes.[293]
A study of preserved specimens of the Puerto Rican conure (previously considered to be an extinct subspecies of the Hispaniolan parakeet) is published by Olson (2015), who raises it to the rank of a separate species Psittacara maugei.[294]
A Dwarf Emu was found in the Miocene of Alcoota in Central Australia.[295]
Jones et al. (2015) describe a distal end of the left tibiotarsus of a member of the genus Caracara of uncertain specific assignment from the late Pleistocene of Argentina, estimated to be the largest member of the family Falconidae described thus far.[296]
A description of the skeletal anatomy of two well-preserved specimens of the dodo is published by Claessens, Meijer and Hume (2015).[297]
New taxa
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images
Aegypius tugarinovi [298]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Manegold & Zelenkov

Early Pliocene, Ruscinian

Moldova

An Old World vulture, Accipitridae, related to the cinereous vulture.

Alopecoenas norfolkensis [299]

Sp. nov

Valid

Forshaw

Holocene

Australia

A new scientific name for the Norfolk ground dove. The previous name used to refer to this species, Columba norfolciensis Latham (1801), was suppressed by ICZN in 2010.[300]

Anas kurochkini [301]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Zelenkov & Panteleyev

Late Miocene

Russia

An Anatidae.

Archaeornithura [302]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Wang et al.

Hauterivian

Huajiying Formation

China

A Hongshanornithidae. Type species A. meemannae.

Athene inexpectata [303]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Pavia, Manegold, & Haarhoff

Early Pliocene

Varswater Formation

South Africa

A Strigidae

Circaetus haemusensis [304]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Boev

Early Pleistocene

Bulgaria

A snake eagle

Cratoavis [305]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Carvalho et al.

Aptian

Crato Member, Santana Formation

Brazil

A member of Euenantiornithes of uncertain phylogenetic placement.[305][306]
The type species is C. cearensis.

Dunhuangia [307]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Wang et al.

Early Cretaceous

Xiagou Formation

China

A member of Enantiornithes. The type species is D. cuii.

Eopachypteryx [308]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Mayr

Eocene

Messel Formation

Germany

A bird of uncertain phylogenetic placement.
Type species E. praeterita.

Feitianius [309]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

O’Connor et al.

Early Cretaceous (Aptian)

Xiagou Formation

China

A member of Enantiornithes. The type species is Feitianius paradisi.

Foshanornis [310]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Zhao et al.

Early Eocene

Buxin Formation

China

A bird of uncertain phylogenetic placement, possibly a relative of trogons. Type species F. songi.

Fumicollis [311]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Bell & Chiappe

Late Cretaceous (late Coniacian—early Campanian)

The Smoky Hill Member of the Niobrara Chalk

United States

A member of Hesperornithiformes. The type species is Fumicollis hoffmani.

Gallinago azovica [301]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Zelenkov & Panteleyev

Middle Turolian

Russia

A snipe, Scolopacidae.

Hakawai [312]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid[313]

De Pietri et al.

Early Miocene (19–16 Ma)

Bannockburn Formation

New Zealand

A member of Scolopaci of uncertain phylogenetic placement. The type species is Hakawai melvillei.

Holbotia [314]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid[315]

Zelenkov & Averianov

Early Cretaceous

Mongolia

A member of Enantiornithes, probably a relative of Gobipteryx. Type species H. ponomarenkoi.

Houornis [316]

Gen. et comb. nov.

Valid[317]

Wang & Liu

Early Cretaceous

Jiufotang Formation

China

A member of Enantiornithes of uncertain phylogenetic placement; a new genus for "Cathayornis" caudatus Hou (1997).

Hypsipetes cowlesi [318]

Sp. nov.

Valid[319]

Hume

Holocene

Rodrigues

A bulbul, Pycnonotidae

Juehuaornis [320]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Wang, Wang & Hu

Early Cretaceous

Jiufotang Formation

China

A basal member of Ornithuromorpha. Type species J. zhangi.

Kuntur [321]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Stucchi et al.

Late Miocene

Pisco Formation

Peru

A condor. Type species K. cardenasi.

Lavadytis [322]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid[323]

Stidham & Hilton

Miocene (16.1–14.6 Ma)

United States

A member of Anatidae; a member or a relative of members of the subfamily Oxyurinae. The type species is Lavadytis pyrenae.

Llallawavis[324]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Degrange et al.

Late Pliocene

Playa Los Lobos Allo Formation

Argentina

A mesembriornithine phorusrhacid. Type species L. scagliai.


Llallawavis
Makahala [325]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Mayr

Latest Eocene or early Oligocene

Makah Formation

United States

A member of Procellariiformes. Type species M. mirae.

Mangystania[326]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Zvonok, Zelenkov & Danilov

Eocene (Bartonian)

Shorym Formation

Kazakhstan

Possibly a member of Suliformes. The type species is Mangystania humilicristata.

Miobaptus huzhiricus [327]

Sp. nov

Valid

Zelenkov

Miocene

Russia

A grebe

Mioporphyrula [328]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Zelenkov in Zelenkov & Kurochkin

Late Miocene

Moldova

A member of Rallidae. A new genus for "Tertiariaporphyrula" lungi Kurochkin & Ganea (1972).

Mwalau [329]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Worthy et al.

Holocene

Vanuatu

A megapode. The type species is M. walterlinii.

Namapsitta [330]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Mourer-Chauviré, Pickford, & Senut

Middle Eocene

Namibia

A Psittaciformes incertae sedis. Type species N. praeruptorum.

Nyctisoma [331]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Elżanowski & Zelenkov

Middle Miocene

Öoshin Formation

Mongolia

An Ardeidae. Type species N. robusta.

Oligonomus [332]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

De Pietri, Camens, & Worthy

Late Oligocene

Australia

A member of Charadriiformes related to the plains-wanderer. Type species O. milleri.

Opisthodactylus horacioperezi [333]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Agnolin & Chafrat

Early Miocene

Chichinales Formation

Argentina

A rheid ratite

Parapengornis [334]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Hu, O’Connor & Zhou

Early Cretaceous

Jiufotang Formation

China

A member of Enantiornithes, a relative of Pengornis. Type species P. eurycaudatus.

Patagorhacos [333]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Agnolin & Chafrat

Early Miocene

Chichinales Formation

Argentina

A member of Phorusrhacidae. Type species P. terrificus.

Petrosushkinia [328]

Nom. nov

Valid

Zelenkov in Zelenkov & Kurochkin

Late Miocene

Kazakhstan

A member of Falconidae. A replacement name for Sushkinia Tugarinov (1935) (preoccupied).

Porzana botunensis [335]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Boev

Early Pleistocene

Bulgaria

A member of Rallidae, a species of crake.

Pterodroma imberi [336]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Tennyson, Cooper & Shepherd

Holocene

New Zealand

A member of Procellariidae, a species of gadfly petrel.

Pterygornis [337]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid [338]

Wang, Hu & Li

Early Cretaceous

Jiufotang Formation

China

A member of Enantiornithes. Type species P. dapingfangensis.

Rallus adolfocaesaris [339]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Alcover et al.

Holocene

Madeira (Porto Santo Island)

A member of Rallidae, a species of Rallus

Rallus carvaoensis [339]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Alcover et al.

Holocene

Azores (São Miguel Island)

A member of Rallidae, a species of Rallus

Rallus lowei [339]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Alcover et al.

Holocene

Madeira (Madeira Island)

A member of Rallidae, a species of Rallus

Rallus minutus [339]

Sp. nov.

Junior homonym

Alcover et al.

Holocene

Azores (São Jorge Island)

A member of Rallidae, a species of Rallus. The specific name is a junior homonym of Rallus minutus Pallas (1776), Rallus minutus Gmelin (1789) and Rallus minutus Forster (1844). Alcover et al. (2016) coined a replacement name Rallus nanus.[340]

Rallus montivagorum [339]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Alcover et al.

Holocene

Azores (Pico Island)

A member of Rallidae, a species of Rallus

Ramphastosula aguirrei [341]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Stucchi, Varas-Malca & Urbina-Schmitt

Miocene

Pisco Formation

Peru

A member of Sulidae, a species of Ramphastosula.

Scolopax brachycarpa [342]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Takano & Steadman

Late Holocene

Haiti

A woodcock.

Scopelortyx [330]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Mourer-Chauviré, Pickford, & Senut

Middle Eocene

Namibia

A Paraortygidae, Galliformes. Type species S. klinghardtensis.

Shiriyanetta [343]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Watanabe & Matsuoka

Pleistocene

Japan

A duck. The type species is Shiriyanetta hasegawai.

Spheniscus anglicus [344]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Benson

Late Miocene

Bahía Inglesa Formation

Chile

A banded penguin.

Stemec [345]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Kaiser, Watanabe & Johns

Late Oligocene

Sooke Formation

Canada

A member of Plotopteridae. The type species is Stemec suntokum.

Sula brandi [341]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Stucchi, Varas-Malca & Urbina-Schmitt

Miocene

Pisco Formation

Peru

A booby.

Sula figueroae [341]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Stucchi, Varas-Malca & Urbina-Schmitt

Miocene

Pisco Formation

Peru

A booby.

Tyto cravesae [346]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Suárez & Olson

Quaternary (probably late Pleistocene)

Cuba

A barn-owl, a species of Tyto.

Tyto richae [303]

Sp. nov

Valid

Pavia, Manegold, & Haarhoff

Early Pliocene

Varswater Formation

South Africa

A Tytonidae barn-owl.

Yuanjiawaornis [347]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Hu et al.

Early Cretaceous

Jiufotang Formation

China

A member of Enantiornithes. Type species Yuanjiawaornis viriosus.