Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
235 / Mesozoic
Ichthyornis
Ichthyornis dispar
Its body and flight resembled a tern, but a row of true teeth remained inside the long jaws.
View original image · 1536 × 1024- Time range
- About 95–83 million years ago
- Final stage
- Late Cretaceous
- Geographic range
- Western Interior Seaway · North America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Ichthyornis?
Ichthyornis (Ichthyornis dispar) was an extinct organism known from About 95–83 million years ago, with a range in Western Interior Seaway · North America.
Life and ecology
Ichthyornis had a modern flight apparatus and was agile over the sea. Teeth occupied the middle and rear jaw while the tip may have carried a horny beak.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Ichthyornis disappear?
Its record ends about 83 million years ago, long before the end-Cretaceous crisis. The specific cause of its disappearance is not established.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Ichthyornis?
Associated skulls, teeth and flight bones reveal a mosaic of modern braincase and primitive toothed jaws.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Removed an extinction cause that credited a mass extinction occurring after this species' last dated record.
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS