This article needs additional citations for
verification. (September 2014) |
The largest prehistoric organisms include both vertebrate and invertebrate species. Many are described below, along with their typical range of size (for the general dates of extinction, see the link to each). Many species mentioned might not actually be the largest representative of their clade due to the incompleteness of the fossil record and many of the sizes given are merely estimates since no complete specimen have been found. Especially their body mass is mostly conjecture because soft tissue was rarely fossilized. Generally the size of extinct species was subject to energetic [1] and biomechanical constraints. [2]
Basilosaurus was once recognized as one of the largest known extinct cetaceans at 18 metres (59 ft) in length. [3]
The largest fossil Odontocete ("toothed whale") was the Miocene physeteroid whale Livyatan melvillei which was estimated to be between 13.5 and 17.5 meters in length. [4] [5] One notable feature of L. melvillei was its teeth which could exceed 36 cm in length and were unmatched by any other animal, extinct or alive. [6]
However, the largest fossil whales were baleen whales from the Pliocene and Pleistocene Epochs. [7] A notable example is the bones of a Pliocene age baleen whale, assigned the questionable name " Balaenoptera sibbaldina", which likely rivaled the modern blue whale in size. [7]
The largest monotreme (egg-laying mammal) ever was the extinct long-beaked echidna species known as Zaglossus hacketti, known from a couple of bones found in Western Australia. It was the size of a sheep, weighing probably up to 30 kg (66 lb). [8]
The largest fossil hyena is the lion-sized Pachycrocuta, estimated at 190 kg (420 lb). [23]
The largest cingulate known is Doedicurus, at 4 meters long. (13 ft).[ citation needed] Glyptodon easily topped 3.3 m (11 ft) and 2 tonnes (4,400 lb).
The largest creature of this group was Deinogalerix, [24] measuring up to 60 cm in total length, with a skull up to 20 cm long. It occupied the same ecological niche as dogs and cats today.
The largest prehistoric lagomorph is Minorcan Giant Lagomorph (Nuralagus rex) at 23 kg (50 lbs).
The largest cimolestid is Coryphodon, 1 metre (3.3 ft) high at the shoulder and 2.25 metres (7.4 ft) long.
The largest astrapotherians had an elongated body, with a total length of about 2.5 metres (8.2 ft),
The largest arsinoithere was Arsinoitherium. When alive, it would have been 1.8 m (5.9 ft) tall at the shoulders, and 3 m (9.8 ft) long.
The largest condylarths of is Phenacodus. It was 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long and weighted up to 56 kg,
The largest dinoceratan was Uintatherium. It was about the size of a rhinoceros. Despite its large size, it had a brain only about as large as an orange.
The largest desmostylian was Desmostylus at 1.8 metres long (6 ft) and weighing about 200 kilograms (440 pounds).
The largest litoptern was Macrauchenia, which had three hoofs per foot. It was a relatively large animal, with a body length of around 3 m (9.8 ft). [30]
The largest notoungulate was Toxodon. It was about 2.7 metres (8.9 feet) in body length, and about 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) high at the shoulder and resembled a heavy rhinoceros.
The largest creodont and oxyaenid was Sarkastodon weighting at 800 kg. The largest hyaenodontid was Megistotherium at 500 kg. [31]
The largest mesonychid was Andrewsarchus mongoliensis. It is known only from one skull which was 83 cm (33 in) long and 56 cm (22 in) wide. [32]
The plant-eating pelycosaur Cotylorhynchus probably was the largest of all non-mammal synapsids, at 20 feet (6.1 meters) and 2 tonnes. Among the largest carnivorous synapsids were the therapsids Anteosaurus, which was 5–6 meters long, and weighed 500–600 kg, and Ivantosaurus, with a length of 20 feet (6.1 meters).
Moschops was the largest therapsid, with a weight of 700–1000 kg, and a length of about 5 meters.
The longest plesiosauroid was Elasmosaurus at 14 metres (46 feet) long.
There is much controversy over the largest of these reptiles. Fossil remains of a pliosaur nicknamed as Predator X have been discovered and excavated from Norway in 2008. This pliosaur has been estimated at 15 metres (49 ft) in length and 45 metric tons (50 short tons) in weight. [47] [48] However, in 2002, a team of paleontologists in Mexico discovered the remains of a pliosaur nicknamed as Monster of Aramberri, which is also estimated at 15 metres (49 ft) in length. [49] This specimen is however claimed to be a juvenile and has been attacked by a larger pliosaur. [50] Some media sources claimed that Monster of Aramberri was a Liopleurodon but its species is unconfirmed thus far. [49] Another very large pliosaur was Pliosaurus macromerus, known from a single 2.8 m long incomplete mandible. It may have reached 18 metres (59 ft), assuming the skull was about 17% of the total body length. [51]
The largest ichthyosaur was Shastasaurus sikanniensis at 21 metres (69 ft) in length. [52]
The largest is Scutosaurus, up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) in length, with bony armor, and a number of spikes decorating its skull.
The largest of this order is Redondasaurus, who attained a length of 10–12 metres (33–39 ft)
The largest birds of all time might have been the elephant birds of Madagascar. Of almost the same size was the Australian Dromornis stirtoni. Both were about 3 m tall (10 ft). The elephant birds were up to 400 kg and Dromornis stirtoni was up to 500 kg in weight. The tallest bird ever was the Giant Moa (Dinornis maximus) at 3.6 m (12 ft) tall.
The largest flight-capable bird was Argentavis magnificens which a wingspan of 8.3 m (27 ft), and a body weight of 110 kg (240 lb).
The largest waterfowl of all time belonged to the Dromornithidae (e.g. Dromornis stirtoni). [68]
The largest shorebird of all time was the Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) at 5 kg (11 lb) in weight and 75–85 cm (30–33 in) in length.
The largest of Ciconiiformes was Leptoptilos robustus, standing 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) tall and weighing an estimated 16 kilograms (35 lb). [69] [70]
The largest falconiform and the largest flying bird presently known was Argentavis magnificens. The immense bird had wingspan estimated up to 8.3 m (27 ft) and a weight up to 110 kg (240 lb). It was as high as an adult human when standing.
The largest pigeon ever was the Dodo (Raphus cucullatus), weighing 23 kg (51 lb) and standing 1 m (3.3 ft) tall. Rodrigues solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria), a brown, long-necked birds that were superficially ratite-like. All three species may have exceeded 1 m (3.3 ft) in height. All were carelessly hunted it into extinction by humans and introduced animals. The Dodo is the most frequently crowned as the largest ever pigeon, as it could have weighed as much as 28 kg (62 lb), although recent estimates have indicated that an average wild Dodo would have weighed around 10.2 kg (22 lb), scarcely larger than a male turkey. [71] [72] If Dodos were this light, the Rodrigues solitaire may have been larger. Some estimates claim tha solitaire was merely swan-sized but others estimate weights of up to 27.8 kg (61 lb). [73] [74]
The largest of the hesperornithines was Canadaga arctica at 5 ft long.
The largest diatryma was Gastornis 1.75 metres (5.7 feet) tall, with large individuals up to 2 m (6.6 ft) tall.
The largest teratorn and the largest flying bird ever was Argentavis, with a weight of 80 kilograms (180 lb).
The largest ever gruiform and largest phorusrhacid or "terror bird" (highly predatory, flightless birds of South America) was Brontornis, which was about 175 cm tall at the shoulder, could raise its head 2,8 metres above the ground an could have weighed as uch as 400 kg. [75] The immense phorushacid Kelenken with a skull 28 inches (71 cm) long (18 inches of which was beak), had the largest head of any known bird.The largest is Titanis it is about 2.5m. tall,as tall as a forest elephant.
The largest bird of prey ever was the enormous Haast's eagle (Harpagornis moorei), with a wingspan of 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft), relatively short for their size. Total length was probably up to 1.4 m (4.6 ft) in female and they weighed about 10 to 15 kg (22 to 33 Ib). the largest extinct Titanohierax was a giant hawk about 8 kilograms that lived in the Antilles, where it was among the top predator.
The largest in this group was a giant flightless Sylviornis, a bird 1.70 m (5.6 ft) long and weighing up to about 30 kg (66 lb).
The largest songbird is the extinct Giant Grosbeak (Chloridops regiskongi) at 11 inches (28 cm) long.
The largest cormorants Spectacled Cormorant of the North Pacific (Phalacrocorax perspicillatus), which went extinct around 1850, was larger still, averaging around 6.4 kg (14 lb) and 1.15 m (3.8 ft). [76]
The largest in this group – which has been variously allied with Procellariiformes, Pelecaniformes and Anseriformes – and the largest flying birds of all time other than Argentavis were the huge Cyphornis, Dasornis, Gigantornis and Osteodontornis. They had a wingspan of 5.5–6 m (18–20 ft) and stood about 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) tall. Exact size estimates and judging which one was largest are not yet possible for these birds, as their bones were extremely thin-walled, light and fragile, and thus most are only known from very incomplete remains.
The largest woodpecker is the possibly extinct Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) with a total length of about 22 inches (50 centimeters). The largest woodpecker confirmed to be extant is the Great Slaty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulverulentus).
The largest parrot is the extinct Norfolk Island Kaka (Nestor productus), about 38 cm long.
The largest penguin of all time was Anthropornis nordenskjoeldi of New Zealand and Antarctica. It stood 1.7 meters (5 feet 7 inches) in height and was 90 kilograms (200 pounds) in weight. Similar in size were the New Zealand Giant Penguin (Pachydyptes pondeorsus) with a height of 1.4 to 1.6 m (4.6 to 5.2 ft) and weighing around 80 to possibly over 100 kg, and Icadyptes salasi at 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall.
The largest owl of all time was the Cuban Ornimegalonyx at 43.3 inches tall probably exceeding 9 kg (20 lb). [77]
The largest amphibian of all time was the 30 ft long temnospondyli Prionosuchus. Another huge temnospondyli was Koolasuchus at 16 ft long, but only 1 ft high.
The largest frog ever was the 16-inch-long (41 cm) Beelzebufo ampinga, weighing 10 pounds (4.5 kg)
The largest diacectid, Diadectes, was a heavily built animal, 1.5 to 3 meters long, with thick vertebrae and ribs.
The largest anthracosaur was Anthracosaurus, a predator. It could reach up to 12 feet in length. Eogyrinus commonly reached 4.6 metres (15 ft), however, it was more lightly built. [78]
The largest placoderm was the 9 metres (30 ft) long Dunkleosteus. Its relative, Titanichthys, may have rivaled it in size. These particular animals may have reached lengths of 10 m (33 ft) and are estimated to have weighed in at 3.6 tonnes.
The largest of these was the 5 metres (16 ft) long Hyneria.
The largest bony fish of all time was the pachycormid, Leedsichthys problematicus, at around 27 metres (89 ft) long. [79] Claims of larger individuals persist.
The largest of ichthyodectid fish was the 6.0 metres (19.7 ft) long Xiphactinus .
An extinct megatoothed shark, C. megalodon is by far the biggest shark known. [80] This giant shark reached a total length of more than 16 metres (52 ft). [81] [82] C. megalodon may have approached a maximum of 20.3 metres (67 ft) in total length and 103 metric tons (114 short tons) in mass. [83]
The largest symmoriid is Stethacanthus at 70 centimetres (2.3 ft) long.
The largest eugenedont is Helicoprion at 7.5 metres (25 ft) long.
The largest hydontiformid is Ptychodus was about 32 feet long (10 meters).
The largest known is Anomalocaris at 2 meters long.
The largest in this group was Jaekelopterus rhenaniae at 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) in length. A close contender was Pterygotus at 2.3 metres (7.5 ft) in length.
There are two contenders for largest ever arachnid: Pulmonoscorpius kirktonensis and Brontoscorpio anglicus. Pulmonoscorpius was 70 centimetres (2.3 ft) Brontoscorpio was 90 centimetres (3.0 ft). The biggest difference is that Brontoscorpio was aquatic, and Pulmonoscorpius was terrestrial. Brontoscorpio is not to be confused with various Eurypterids: it was a true scorpion with a stinger.
Some of these extinct marine arthropods exceeded 60 centimetres (24 in) in length. A nearly complete specimen of Isotelus rex from Manitoba attained a length over 70 centimetres (28 in), and an Ogyginus forteyi from Portugal was almost as long. Fragments of trilobites suggest even larger record sizes. An isolated pygidium of Hungioides bohemicus implies that the full animal was 90 centimetres (35 in) long. [84]
The largest of this group was the giant ant Titanomyrma giganteum at 3 centimetres (1.2 in), with queens growing to 6 centimetres (2.4 in). It had a wingspan of 15 centimetres (5.9 in). [85]
The largest in this group was probably Meganeura with a wingspan of 75 centimetres (2.46 ft). [86] Another enormous and possibly larger species was Meganeuropsis permiana.
The largest in this group was probably Saurophthirus, growing to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length. It possibly sucked the blood of pterosaurs.
The largest of this order was Mazothairos, with a wingspan of up to 22 inches (56 cm).
Several cockroach-like stem dictyopterans from the Carboniferous Period grew to exceptional size. A specimen of Xenoblatta from Ohio was at least 70 mm long, almost the size of the largest cockroach living today. [87] [88]
The largest of this group were in the genus Campanile, with the extinct Campanile giganteum having shell lengths up to 60 centimetres (24 in).
The largest bivalve ever was Platyceramus platinus, a giant that usually had an axial length of 1 metre (3.3 ft), but some individuals could reach an axial length of up to 3 metres (9.8 ft).
The largest ammonite was Parapuzosia seppenradensis. A partial fossil specimen found in Germany had a shell diameter of 1.95 metres (6.4 ft), but the living chamber was incomplete, so the estimated shell diameter was probably about 2.55 metres (8.4 ft) when it was alive.
The largest belemnite was Megateuthis gigantea with a guard of 46 centimetres (18 in) in length and an estimated total length 3 metres (9.8 ft) long.
The longest and largest of this group was Cameroceras with a shell length of 9 metres (30 ft). [89]
Both Tusoteuthis and Yezoteuthis are estimated to be similar in size to the modern day giant squid. [90]
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Category:Articles with inconsistent citation formats
Category:Lists of prehistoric animals
Category:Lists of superlatives
This article needs additional citations for
verification. (September 2014) |
The largest prehistoric organisms include both vertebrate and invertebrate species. Many are described below, along with their typical range of size (for the general dates of extinction, see the link to each). Many species mentioned might not actually be the largest representative of their clade due to the incompleteness of the fossil record and many of the sizes given are merely estimates since no complete specimen have been found. Especially their body mass is mostly conjecture because soft tissue was rarely fossilized. Generally the size of extinct species was subject to energetic [1] and biomechanical constraints. [2]
Basilosaurus was once recognized as one of the largest known extinct cetaceans at 18 metres (59 ft) in length. [3]
The largest fossil Odontocete ("toothed whale") was the Miocene physeteroid whale Livyatan melvillei which was estimated to be between 13.5 and 17.5 meters in length. [4] [5] One notable feature of L. melvillei was its teeth which could exceed 36 cm in length and were unmatched by any other animal, extinct or alive. [6]
However, the largest fossil whales were baleen whales from the Pliocene and Pleistocene Epochs. [7] A notable example is the bones of a Pliocene age baleen whale, assigned the questionable name " Balaenoptera sibbaldina", which likely rivaled the modern blue whale in size. [7]
The largest monotreme (egg-laying mammal) ever was the extinct long-beaked echidna species known as Zaglossus hacketti, known from a couple of bones found in Western Australia. It was the size of a sheep, weighing probably up to 30 kg (66 lb). [8]
The largest fossil hyena is the lion-sized Pachycrocuta, estimated at 190 kg (420 lb). [23]
The largest cingulate known is Doedicurus, at 4 meters long. (13 ft).[ citation needed] Glyptodon easily topped 3.3 m (11 ft) and 2 tonnes (4,400 lb).
The largest creature of this group was Deinogalerix, [24] measuring up to 60 cm in total length, with a skull up to 20 cm long. It occupied the same ecological niche as dogs and cats today.
The largest prehistoric lagomorph is Minorcan Giant Lagomorph (Nuralagus rex) at 23 kg (50 lbs).
The largest cimolestid is Coryphodon, 1 metre (3.3 ft) high at the shoulder and 2.25 metres (7.4 ft) long.
The largest astrapotherians had an elongated body, with a total length of about 2.5 metres (8.2 ft),
The largest arsinoithere was Arsinoitherium. When alive, it would have been 1.8 m (5.9 ft) tall at the shoulders, and 3 m (9.8 ft) long.
The largest condylarths of is Phenacodus. It was 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long and weighted up to 56 kg,
The largest dinoceratan was Uintatherium. It was about the size of a rhinoceros. Despite its large size, it had a brain only about as large as an orange.
The largest desmostylian was Desmostylus at 1.8 metres long (6 ft) and weighing about 200 kilograms (440 pounds).
The largest litoptern was Macrauchenia, which had three hoofs per foot. It was a relatively large animal, with a body length of around 3 m (9.8 ft). [30]
The largest notoungulate was Toxodon. It was about 2.7 metres (8.9 feet) in body length, and about 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) high at the shoulder and resembled a heavy rhinoceros.
The largest creodont and oxyaenid was Sarkastodon weighting at 800 kg. The largest hyaenodontid was Megistotherium at 500 kg. [31]
The largest mesonychid was Andrewsarchus mongoliensis. It is known only from one skull which was 83 cm (33 in) long and 56 cm (22 in) wide. [32]
The plant-eating pelycosaur Cotylorhynchus probably was the largest of all non-mammal synapsids, at 20 feet (6.1 meters) and 2 tonnes. Among the largest carnivorous synapsids were the therapsids Anteosaurus, which was 5–6 meters long, and weighed 500–600 kg, and Ivantosaurus, with a length of 20 feet (6.1 meters).
Moschops was the largest therapsid, with a weight of 700–1000 kg, and a length of about 5 meters.
The longest plesiosauroid was Elasmosaurus at 14 metres (46 feet) long.
There is much controversy over the largest of these reptiles. Fossil remains of a pliosaur nicknamed as Predator X have been discovered and excavated from Norway in 2008. This pliosaur has been estimated at 15 metres (49 ft) in length and 45 metric tons (50 short tons) in weight. [47] [48] However, in 2002, a team of paleontologists in Mexico discovered the remains of a pliosaur nicknamed as Monster of Aramberri, which is also estimated at 15 metres (49 ft) in length. [49] This specimen is however claimed to be a juvenile and has been attacked by a larger pliosaur. [50] Some media sources claimed that Monster of Aramberri was a Liopleurodon but its species is unconfirmed thus far. [49] Another very large pliosaur was Pliosaurus macromerus, known from a single 2.8 m long incomplete mandible. It may have reached 18 metres (59 ft), assuming the skull was about 17% of the total body length. [51]
The largest ichthyosaur was Shastasaurus sikanniensis at 21 metres (69 ft) in length. [52]
The largest is Scutosaurus, up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) in length, with bony armor, and a number of spikes decorating its skull.
The largest of this order is Redondasaurus, who attained a length of 10–12 metres (33–39 ft)
The largest birds of all time might have been the elephant birds of Madagascar. Of almost the same size was the Australian Dromornis stirtoni. Both were about 3 m tall (10 ft). The elephant birds were up to 400 kg and Dromornis stirtoni was up to 500 kg in weight. The tallest bird ever was the Giant Moa (Dinornis maximus) at 3.6 m (12 ft) tall.
The largest flight-capable bird was Argentavis magnificens which a wingspan of 8.3 m (27 ft), and a body weight of 110 kg (240 lb).
The largest waterfowl of all time belonged to the Dromornithidae (e.g. Dromornis stirtoni). [68]
The largest shorebird of all time was the Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) at 5 kg (11 lb) in weight and 75–85 cm (30–33 in) in length.
The largest of Ciconiiformes was Leptoptilos robustus, standing 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) tall and weighing an estimated 16 kilograms (35 lb). [69] [70]
The largest falconiform and the largest flying bird presently known was Argentavis magnificens. The immense bird had wingspan estimated up to 8.3 m (27 ft) and a weight up to 110 kg (240 lb). It was as high as an adult human when standing.
The largest pigeon ever was the Dodo (Raphus cucullatus), weighing 23 kg (51 lb) and standing 1 m (3.3 ft) tall. Rodrigues solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria), a brown, long-necked birds that were superficially ratite-like. All three species may have exceeded 1 m (3.3 ft) in height. All were carelessly hunted it into extinction by humans and introduced animals. The Dodo is the most frequently crowned as the largest ever pigeon, as it could have weighed as much as 28 kg (62 lb), although recent estimates have indicated that an average wild Dodo would have weighed around 10.2 kg (22 lb), scarcely larger than a male turkey. [71] [72] If Dodos were this light, the Rodrigues solitaire may have been larger. Some estimates claim tha solitaire was merely swan-sized but others estimate weights of up to 27.8 kg (61 lb). [73] [74]
The largest of the hesperornithines was Canadaga arctica at 5 ft long.
The largest diatryma was Gastornis 1.75 metres (5.7 feet) tall, with large individuals up to 2 m (6.6 ft) tall.
The largest teratorn and the largest flying bird ever was Argentavis, with a weight of 80 kilograms (180 lb).
The largest ever gruiform and largest phorusrhacid or "terror bird" (highly predatory, flightless birds of South America) was Brontornis, which was about 175 cm tall at the shoulder, could raise its head 2,8 metres above the ground an could have weighed as uch as 400 kg. [75] The immense phorushacid Kelenken with a skull 28 inches (71 cm) long (18 inches of which was beak), had the largest head of any known bird.The largest is Titanis it is about 2.5m. tall,as tall as a forest elephant.
The largest bird of prey ever was the enormous Haast's eagle (Harpagornis moorei), with a wingspan of 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft), relatively short for their size. Total length was probably up to 1.4 m (4.6 ft) in female and they weighed about 10 to 15 kg (22 to 33 Ib). the largest extinct Titanohierax was a giant hawk about 8 kilograms that lived in the Antilles, where it was among the top predator.
The largest in this group was a giant flightless Sylviornis, a bird 1.70 m (5.6 ft) long and weighing up to about 30 kg (66 lb).
The largest songbird is the extinct Giant Grosbeak (Chloridops regiskongi) at 11 inches (28 cm) long.
The largest cormorants Spectacled Cormorant of the North Pacific (Phalacrocorax perspicillatus), which went extinct around 1850, was larger still, averaging around 6.4 kg (14 lb) and 1.15 m (3.8 ft). [76]
The largest in this group – which has been variously allied with Procellariiformes, Pelecaniformes and Anseriformes – and the largest flying birds of all time other than Argentavis were the huge Cyphornis, Dasornis, Gigantornis and Osteodontornis. They had a wingspan of 5.5–6 m (18–20 ft) and stood about 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) tall. Exact size estimates and judging which one was largest are not yet possible for these birds, as their bones were extremely thin-walled, light and fragile, and thus most are only known from very incomplete remains.
The largest woodpecker is the possibly extinct Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) with a total length of about 22 inches (50 centimeters). The largest woodpecker confirmed to be extant is the Great Slaty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulverulentus).
The largest parrot is the extinct Norfolk Island Kaka (Nestor productus), about 38 cm long.
The largest penguin of all time was Anthropornis nordenskjoeldi of New Zealand and Antarctica. It stood 1.7 meters (5 feet 7 inches) in height and was 90 kilograms (200 pounds) in weight. Similar in size were the New Zealand Giant Penguin (Pachydyptes pondeorsus) with a height of 1.4 to 1.6 m (4.6 to 5.2 ft) and weighing around 80 to possibly over 100 kg, and Icadyptes salasi at 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall.
The largest owl of all time was the Cuban Ornimegalonyx at 43.3 inches tall probably exceeding 9 kg (20 lb). [77]
The largest amphibian of all time was the 30 ft long temnospondyli Prionosuchus. Another huge temnospondyli was Koolasuchus at 16 ft long, but only 1 ft high.
The largest frog ever was the 16-inch-long (41 cm) Beelzebufo ampinga, weighing 10 pounds (4.5 kg)
The largest diacectid, Diadectes, was a heavily built animal, 1.5 to 3 meters long, with thick vertebrae and ribs.
The largest anthracosaur was Anthracosaurus, a predator. It could reach up to 12 feet in length. Eogyrinus commonly reached 4.6 metres (15 ft), however, it was more lightly built. [78]
The largest placoderm was the 9 metres (30 ft) long Dunkleosteus. Its relative, Titanichthys, may have rivaled it in size. These particular animals may have reached lengths of 10 m (33 ft) and are estimated to have weighed in at 3.6 tonnes.
The largest of these was the 5 metres (16 ft) long Hyneria.
The largest bony fish of all time was the pachycormid, Leedsichthys problematicus, at around 27 metres (89 ft) long. [79] Claims of larger individuals persist.
The largest of ichthyodectid fish was the 6.0 metres (19.7 ft) long Xiphactinus .
An extinct megatoothed shark, C. megalodon is by far the biggest shark known. [80] This giant shark reached a total length of more than 16 metres (52 ft). [81] [82] C. megalodon may have approached a maximum of 20.3 metres (67 ft) in total length and 103 metric tons (114 short tons) in mass. [83]
The largest symmoriid is Stethacanthus at 70 centimetres (2.3 ft) long.
The largest eugenedont is Helicoprion at 7.5 metres (25 ft) long.
The largest hydontiformid is Ptychodus was about 32 feet long (10 meters).
The largest known is Anomalocaris at 2 meters long.
The largest in this group was Jaekelopterus rhenaniae at 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) in length. A close contender was Pterygotus at 2.3 metres (7.5 ft) in length.
There are two contenders for largest ever arachnid: Pulmonoscorpius kirktonensis and Brontoscorpio anglicus. Pulmonoscorpius was 70 centimetres (2.3 ft) Brontoscorpio was 90 centimetres (3.0 ft). The biggest difference is that Brontoscorpio was aquatic, and Pulmonoscorpius was terrestrial. Brontoscorpio is not to be confused with various Eurypterids: it was a true scorpion with a stinger.
Some of these extinct marine arthropods exceeded 60 centimetres (24 in) in length. A nearly complete specimen of Isotelus rex from Manitoba attained a length over 70 centimetres (28 in), and an Ogyginus forteyi from Portugal was almost as long. Fragments of trilobites suggest even larger record sizes. An isolated pygidium of Hungioides bohemicus implies that the full animal was 90 centimetres (35 in) long. [84]
The largest of this group was the giant ant Titanomyrma giganteum at 3 centimetres (1.2 in), with queens growing to 6 centimetres (2.4 in). It had a wingspan of 15 centimetres (5.9 in). [85]
The largest in this group was probably Meganeura with a wingspan of 75 centimetres (2.46 ft). [86] Another enormous and possibly larger species was Meganeuropsis permiana.
The largest in this group was probably Saurophthirus, growing to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length. It possibly sucked the blood of pterosaurs.
The largest of this order was Mazothairos, with a wingspan of up to 22 inches (56 cm).
Several cockroach-like stem dictyopterans from the Carboniferous Period grew to exceptional size. A specimen of Xenoblatta from Ohio was at least 70 mm long, almost the size of the largest cockroach living today. [87] [88]
The largest of this group were in the genus Campanile, with the extinct Campanile giganteum having shell lengths up to 60 centimetres (24 in).
The largest bivalve ever was Platyceramus platinus, a giant that usually had an axial length of 1 metre (3.3 ft), but some individuals could reach an axial length of up to 3 metres (9.8 ft).
The largest ammonite was Parapuzosia seppenradensis. A partial fossil specimen found in Germany had a shell diameter of 1.95 metres (6.4 ft), but the living chamber was incomplete, so the estimated shell diameter was probably about 2.55 metres (8.4 ft) when it was alive.
The largest belemnite was Megateuthis gigantea with a guard of 46 centimetres (18 in) in length and an estimated total length 3 metres (9.8 ft) long.
The longest and largest of this group was Cameroceras with a shell length of 9 metres (30 ft). [89]
Both Tusoteuthis and Yezoteuthis are estimated to be similar in size to the modern day giant squid. [90]
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Category:Lists of prehistoric animals
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