Epoch

Early Cretaceous

143.1000 – 100.5000 Ma

The Early Cretaceous or the Lower Cretaceous is the earlier or lower of the two major divisions of the Cretaceous. It is usually considered to stretch from 143.1 Ma to 100.5 Ma.

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Early Cretaceous
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© Scotese, Christopher R.; Vérard, Christian; Burgener, Landon; Elling, Reece P.; Kocsis, Ádám T. · CC BY 4.0
Fossil genera 690
Iguanodon
Iguanodon
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
97 occ.
Caririchnium
Caririchnium
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Formal taxon Extinct
63 occ.
Brontopodus
Brontopodus
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Extinct
51 occ.
Psittacosaurus
Psittacosaurus
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
36 occ.
Amblydactylus
Amblydactylus
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Formal taxon Extinct
31 occ.
Tenontosaurus
Tenontosaurus
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
29 occ.
Platypterygius
Platypterygius
Marine reptiles
Valid Extinct
24 occ.
Tetrapodosaurus
Tetrapodosaurus
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Formal taxon Extinct
23 occ.
Pteraichnus
Pteraichnus
Pterosaurs
Ichnogenus Formal taxon Extinct
20 occ.
Megalosaurus
Megalosaurus
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
19 occ.
Iguanodontipus
Iguanodontipus
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Formal taxon Extinct
18 occ.
Megalosauripus
Megalosauripus
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Extinct
18 occ.
Eubrontes
Eubrontes
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Extinct
17 occ.
Magnoavipes
Magnoavipes
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Extinct
17 occ.
Parabrontopodus
Parabrontopodus
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Formal taxon Extinct
15 occ.
Grallator
Grallator
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Extinct
14 occ.
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News 11
New Feathered Dinosaur from China Had Peacock-Like Tail
New Feathered Dinosaur from China Had Peacock-Like Tail
A new genus and species of four-winged pennaraptoran dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of northern China is adding another twist to the story of how birds evolved from their dinosaur ancestors. The post New Feathered Dinosaur from China Had Peacock-Like Tail appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
23/06/2026 sci-news
125-Million-Year-Old Crocodile Relative Reveals Its True Colors
125-Million-Year-Old Crocodile Relative Reveals Its True Colors
Exceptionally preserved skin of Montsecosuchus depereti, an extinct crocodylomorph no larger than a house cat that prowled the tropical wetlands of Early Cretaceous Spain, has allowed paleontologists to reconstruct details of its scales, sensory organs and even possible banded markings along its tail. The post 125-Million-Year-Old Crocodile Relative Reveals Its True Colors appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
18/06/2026 sci-news
Sauroposeidon: Beast of the Week
Sauroposeidon: Beast of the Week
 This week we will be checking out a huge dinosaur with an equally impressive name.  Enter Sauroposeidon proteles!Sauroposeidon was a sauropod dinosaur (long neck) that lived in what is now Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming, USA, during the early Cretaceous period, about 113 million years ago.  Its genus name translates to "Lizard Earthquake God" after the Greek god, Poseidon, who in addition to his more famous association with the ocean, was also the god of earthquakes in Greek mythology. Since not
14/06/2026 prehistoricbeastoftheweek
New Four-winged Dinosaur from China Described
Palaeontologists have described a new species of microraptorine theropod from north-western China. Named Jian changmaensis, this small, feathered dinosaur probably glided on four wings. The fossil provides fresh insights into Early Cretaceous ecosystems and extends the known range of the Microraptorinae. The fossil material consists of an articulated partial left pectoral girdle and forelimb. It
08/06/2026 everythingdinosaur
New Microraptorine Dinosaur Discovered in China
New Microraptorine Dinosaur Discovered in China
Jian changmaensis is the first non-avian dinosaur found at a paleontological site that has yielded more than 100 specimens of Early Cretaceous birds. The post New Microraptorine Dinosaur Discovered in China appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
04/06/2026 sci-news
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Parent interval
Cretaceous Period
Sub-intervals 6
Berriasian
143.1000 – 137.0500
Valanginian
137.0500 – 132.6000
Hauterivian
132.6000 – 125.7700
Barremian
125.7700 – 121.4000
Aptian
121.4000 – 113.2000
Albian
113.2000 – 100.5000