Top 5 Extinct Genera
A list by MartiniSuchus · 5 items
- Diplocynodon
MartiniSuchus's latest · 2026-11-06★★★★★High morphological disparity between species, extreme longevity through the Cenozoic, and holding the title of being the sole (putative) member of Alligatoroidea from Europe are the most defining features of the iconic Diplocynodon. It is truly a wonderful genus, regardless of whether one believes it is a derived stem-crocodylian or a basal alligatoroid.
- Basilosaurus
MartiniSuchus's latest · 2026-11-06★★★★★Basilosaurus was among the first ancient, among the largest, and definitely the strangest whales ever discovered. Found across the Southeastern US and North Africa, scant remains of this ~20 meter giant across other continents may hint a potential cosmopolitan distribution. This apex predator was at the top of the food chain wherever it lived, and only a (small) mass extinction could take that title away from it.
- Dilophosaurus
MartiniSuchus's latest · 2026-11-06★★★★★Fierce, beautiful, and deadly are all very appropriate words to describe the largest carnivore of the Early Jurassic. Unlike its movie counterpart, this 7 meter predator had no frill or caustic spit. Instead, it was fast, agile, and powerful. Claws on the hands and feet for tearing, serrated teeth for slicing, and a jaw whose bites could break bones allowed this ferocious hunter to overtake any prey or rival. Its most iconic feature is the double head crest, which may have served as a social or sexual signal to other Dilophosaurus!
- Enchoteuthis
MartiniSuchus's latest · 2026-11-06★★★★While rather fragmentary, one thing is known for certain about Enchoteuthis: it was big. With a full body measuring somewhere in the 3 - 4 meter range, Enchoteuthis was among the largest cephalopods of all time and the largest octopus relative prior to the description of the titanic Nanaimoteuthis. Not much is known about the life appearance or ecology of this beast, but if it's anything like modern octopus, it would have been a fierce and cunning predator.
- Rhamphorhynchus
MartiniSuchus's latest · 2026-11-06★★★★★Unequivocally the most famous and best studied non-pterodactyloid, little Rhamphorhynchus is one of the first pterosaurs ever discovered, and has informed much of the core understanding we have now about pterosaur biology and anatomy. Studies on pterosaur soft tissues, flight performance, diet, and ontogeny all owe their existence to the exquisitely preserved and abundant remains of this beautiful coastal species.
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