# Working tree audit · 11 October 2026 Every selected runtime path checked for integrity and consistent ancestry. Focused literature review of all 86 initially shallow paths and related published conflicts; retained deeper placements rely on the existing referenced working-tree curation. This is not an independent scientific certification of every genus. Checked all 1,274 legal guesses. No path cycles, missing runtime nodes or conflicting internal parents remain. ## Main changes - Ten early saurischian placements corrected using published working hypotheses. - Four southern armoured genera grouped as Parankylosauria under a disclosed published hypothesis; competing matrices remain documented. - The early ornithischian grade now uses consistent shared ancestry. Imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria blocks were removed from twelve genera. - Unsupported Fabrosauridae and narrow ceratopsian assignments were replaced with defensible broader ancestry. - Approved follow-up excludes seven uncertain identities. Stormbergia is an accepted equivalent Lesothosaurus guess; Serendipaceratops and Notoceratops remain broad legal guesses on answer holds. - Nyasasaurus retains its explicitly unresolved administrative root attachment and answer hold. Excluded names remain available only to render prior guess histories. ## Approved inclusion decisions - **Notoceratops:** Retained under Genasauria as a legal guess with an independent hidden-answer hold. Conflicting ceratopsian, ankylosaurian or hadrosaurian interpretations support Genasauria, not a secure narrower ceratopsian assignment. - **Serendipaceratops:** Retained under Genasauria as a legal guess with an independent hidden-answer hold. Conflicting ceratopsian, ankylosaurian or hadrosaurian interpretations support Genasauria, not a secure narrower ceratopsian assignment. - **Stormbergia:** Accepted equivalent of Lesothosaurus, not a separate hidden answer. Align the chosen ancestry with Lesothosaurus under the approved published synonym treatment; Stormbergia is an accepted equivalent guess, not a separate hidden answer. - **Krzyzanowskisaurus:** Excluded from active guessing and answers; original evidence and reconsideration condition retained. Tooth-based identity may belong to Revueltosaurus or another non-dinosaurian archosaur; an ornithischian branch is unsupported. - **Protoavis:** Excluded from active guessing and answers; original evidence and reconsideration condition retained. Probably composite name-bearing material does not establish one diagnosable dinosaur genus. - **Saltopus:** Excluded from active guessing and answers; original evidence and reconsideration condition retained. The dedicated revision places Saltopus outside Dinosauria. - **Gongbusaurus:** Excluded from active guessing and answers; original evidence and reconsideration condition retained. The dubious tooth-based type shiyii does not inherit the more informative ancestry of referred wucaiwanensis material. - **Nanosaurus:** Excluded from active guessing and answers; original evidence and reconsideration condition retained. The dedicated 2025 revision finds the name-bearing material indeterminate; historical referred skeletons cannot establish an independent answer. - **Yaverlandia:** Excluded from active guessing and answers; original evidence and reconsideration condition retained. The 2026 dedicated revision leaves dinosaur identity unresolved; no supported maniraptoran, pachycephalosaur or other narrow branch. - **Ferganocephale:** Excluded from active guessing and answers; original evidence and reconsideration condition retained. Dubious tooth-based name; only a broad Saphornithischia interpretation is defensible, without a diagnosable independent hidden answer. ## All focused review dispositions Retained paths are conservative working placements, not independent comprehensive revisions. Basal genera are not padded with invented family assignments. ### Agilisaurus Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Neornithischia → Agilisaurus. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Agnosphitys Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Guaibasauridae → Agnosphitys. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Ahvaytum Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Ahvaytum. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Altispinax Tetanurae incertae sedis; Carrano2012 under Becklespinax identity. No unsupported family assignment. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Neotheropoda → Averostra → Tetanurae → Altispinax. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [The phylogeny of Tetanurae](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2011.630927). ### Amanasaurus Use the published early ornithischian grade, removing the incompatible imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria grouping. Do not imply a monophyletic family in this chosen model. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Amanasaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577); [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Anchisaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Massopoda → Anchisaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Antarctopelta Choose the published parankylosaur hypothesis, retaining a contracted basal thyreophoran attachment because placement relative to Eurypoda is unstable. Other 2025/2026 matrices do not recover this group. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Thyreophora → Parankylosauria → Antarctopelta. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [New remains of the armored dinosaur Patagopelta cristata](https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2025.2583504); [Reclassification of ankylosaurs with ambiguous taxonomy using tooth morphometrics](https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlag068). ### Anteavis Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Anteavis. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Archaeocursor Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Archaeocursor. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Arcusaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Arcusaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Asilisaurus Use the published early ornithischian grade, removing the incompatible imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria grouping. Do not imply a monophyletic family in this chosen model. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Asilisaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577); [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Asylosaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Asylosaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Bagualosaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Bagualosauria → Bagualosaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Buriolestes Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Buriolestes. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Chilesaurus Use the basal tetanuran interpretation supported by the original description and Cau 2024, and discussed in Hendrickx 2026. This is a chosen game topology, not a settled consensus: ornithischian alternatives remain documented. Placing the genus directly under Dinosauria provided almost no useful branch feedback. Herbivory and PBDB inclusion are unchanged. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Neotheropoda → Averostra → Tetanurae → Chilesaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A Unified Framework for Predatory Dinosaur Macroevolution](https://www.paleoitalia.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/01_Cau_2024_BSPI_631.pdf); [Dental evolution in non-coelurosaur theropods](https://doi.org/10.3301/IJG.2026.14); [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Chindesaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Morphoraptora → Chindesaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Chromogisaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Saturnaliidae → Chromogisaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Daemonosaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Morphoraptora → Daemonosaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Dilophosaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Neotheropoda → Dilophosaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Diodorus Use the published early ornithischian grade, removing the incompatible imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria grouping. Do not imply a monophyletic family in this chosen model. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Diodorus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577); [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Dracovenator Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Neotheropoda → Dracovenator. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Efraasia Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Efraasia. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Enigmacursor Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Neornithischia → Enigmacursor. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Eocursor Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Eocursor. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Eodromaeus Use published basal theropod hypothesis; 2026 alternate herrerasaurian placement exists. Do not add Neotheropoda. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Eodromaeus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A Carnian theropod with unexpectedly derived features during the first dinosaur radiation](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02868-4). ### Eoraptor Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Eoraptor. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Erythrovenator Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Erythrovenator. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Eucoelophysis Use the published early ornithischian grade, removing the incompatible imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria grouping. Do not imply a monophyletic family in this chosen model. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Eucoelophysis. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577); [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Gamatavus Use the published early ornithischian grade, removing the incompatible imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria grouping. Do not imply a monophyletic family in this chosen model. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Gamatavus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577); [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Gnathovorax Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Herrerasauridae → Gnathovorax. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Guaibasaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Guaibasauridae → Guaibasaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Herrerasaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Herrerasauridae → Herrerasaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Hexinlusaurus Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Neornithischia → Hexinlusaurus. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Huayracursor Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Huayracursor. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Issi Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Plateosauridae → Issi. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Jaklapallisaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Unaysauridae → Jaklapallisaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Kholumolumo Published basal massopodan. Do not force Sauropodiformes. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Massopoda → Kholumolumo. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [Kholumolumo ellenbergerorum, gen. et sp. nov., a new early sauropodomorph from the lower Elliot Formation](https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2019.1732996). ### Kunbarrasaurus Choose the published parankylosaur hypothesis, retaining a contracted basal thyreophoran attachment because placement relative to Eurypoda is unstable. Other 2025/2026 matrices do not recover this group. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Thyreophora → Parankylosauria → Kunbarrasaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [New remains of the armored dinosaur Patagopelta cristata](https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2025.2583504); [Reclassification of ankylosaurs with ambiguous taxonomy using tooth morphometrics](https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlag068). ### Kwanasaurus Use the published early ornithischian grade, removing the incompatible imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria grouping. Do not imply a monophyletic family in this chosen model. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Kwanasaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577); [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Laquintasaura Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Thyreophora → Laquintasaura. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Lesothosaurus Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Thyreophora → Lesothosaurus. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Lewisuchus Use the published early ornithischian grade, removing the incompatible imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria grouping. Do not imply a monophyletic family in this chosen model. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Lewisuchus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577); [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Liliensternus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Neotheropoda → Liliensternus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Lutungutali Use the published early ornithischian grade, removing the incompatible imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria grouping. Do not imply a monophyletic family in this chosen model. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Lutungutali. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577); [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Macrocollum Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Unaysauridae → Macrocollum. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Mbiresaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Mbiresaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Minimocursor Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Neornithischia → Minimocursor. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Musankwa Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Massopoda → Musankwa. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Nambalia Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Nambalia. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Nhandumirim 2024 revised Saturnalia analysis recovers a saturnaliid polytomy including Nhandumirim. Original theropod affinities superseded in subsequent analyses. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Saturnaliidae → Nhandumirim. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [New specimens of Saturnalia tupiniquim: insights into intraspecific variation, rostral anatomy, and skull size](https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae156). ### Notatesseraeraptor Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Neotheropoda → Notatesseraeraptor. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Notoceratops Conflicting ceratopsian, ankylosaurian or hadrosaurian interpretations support Genasauria, not a secure narrower ceratopsian assignment. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Notoceratops. Disposition: approved-broad-guess-answer-hold. References: [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646); [An annotated checklist of Australian dinosaurs](https://doi.org/10.1080/03115518.2023.2228367). ### Nyasasaurus Existing diet hold retained; dinosaur identity additionally unresolved. No forced Ornithischia or Saurischia assignment. Working path: Dinosauria → Nyasasaurus. Disposition: existing-answer-hold. ### Pampadromaeus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Saturnaliidae → Pampadromaeus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Panphagia Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Saturnaliidae → Panphagia. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Pantydraco Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Pantydraco. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Patagopelta Choose the published parankylosaur hypothesis, retaining a contracted basal thyreophoran attachment because placement relative to Eurypoda is unstable. Other 2025/2026 matrices do not recover this group. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Thyreophora → Parankylosauria → Patagopelta. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [New remains of the armored dinosaur Patagopelta cristata](https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2025.2583504); [Reclassification of ankylosaurs with ambiguous taxonomy using tooth morphometrics](https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlag068). ### Pisanosaurus Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Pisanosaurus. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Plateosauravus 2025 Wudingloong analysis pairs Plateosauravus and Ruehleia in early-diverging Massopoda, not Plateosauridae. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Massopoda → Plateosauravus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A new Early Jurassic dinosaur represents the earliest-diverging and oldest sauropodomorph of East Asia](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12185-2). ### Plateosaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Plateosauridae → Plateosaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Ptychotherates Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Morphoraptora → Ptychotherates. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Pulaosaurus Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Neornithischia → Pulaosaurus. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Qianlong Original study places Qianlong sister to Yunnanosaurus near base of Sauropodiformes. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Massopoda → Sauropodiformes → Qianlong. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [Exceptional Early Jurassic fossils with leathery eggs shed light on dinosaur reproductive biology](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11067957/). ### Ruehleia 2025 Wudingloong analysis pairs Plateosauravus and Ruehleia in early-diverging Massopoda, not Plateosauridae. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Massopoda → Ruehleia. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A new Early Jurassic dinosaur represents the earliest-diverging and oldest sauropodomorph of East Asia](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12185-2). ### Sacisaurus Use the published early ornithischian grade, removing the incompatible imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria grouping. Do not imply a monophyletic family in this chosen model. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Sacisaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577); [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Sanjuansaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Herrerasauridae → Sanjuansaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Sanxiasaurus Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Neornithischia → Sanxiasaurus. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Saturnalia Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Saturnaliidae → Saturnalia. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Scutellosaurus Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Thyreophora → Scutellosaurus. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Serendipaceratops Conflicting ceratopsian, ankylosaurian or hadrosaurian interpretations support Genasauria, not a secure narrower ceratopsian assignment. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Serendipaceratops. Disposition: approved-broad-guess-answer-hold. References: [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646); [An annotated checklist of Australian dinosaurs](https://doi.org/10.1080/03115518.2023.2228367). ### Shuangbaisaurus Non-averostran neotheropod; do not force Dilophosauridae. Synonym proposal is a separate identity matter. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Neotheropoda → Shuangbaisaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [New material of a non-averostran neotheropod dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation](https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf034). ### Silesaurus Use the published early ornithischian grade, removing the incompatible imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria grouping. Do not imply a monophyletic family in this chosen model. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Silesaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577); [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Sinosaurus Non-averostran neotheropod; do not force Dilophosauridae. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Neotheropoda → Sinosaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [New material of a non-averostran neotheropod dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation](https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf034). ### Soumyasaurus Use the published early ornithischian grade, removing the incompatible imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria grouping. Do not imply a monophyletic family in this chosen model. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Soumyasaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577); [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Staurikosaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Herrerasauridae → Staurikosaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Stegouros Choose the published parankylosaur hypothesis, retaining a contracted basal thyreophoran attachment because placement relative to Eurypoda is unstable. Other 2025/2026 matrices do not recover this group. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Thyreophora → Parankylosauria → Stegouros. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [New remains of the armored dinosaur Patagopelta cristata](https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2025.2583504); [Reclassification of ankylosaurs with ambiguous taxonomy using tooth morphometrics](https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlag068). ### Stormbergia Align the chosen ancestry with Lesothosaurus under the approved published synonym treatment; Stormbergia is an accepted equivalent guess, not a separate hidden answer. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Thyreophora → Stormbergia. Disposition: approved-equivalent-guess. References: [The postcranial anatomy of Lesothosaurus diagnosticus: implications for basal ornithischian taxonomy and systematics](https://doi.org/10.1111/zoj.12434); [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Tawa Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Morphoraptora → Tawa. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Technosaurus Use the published early ornithischian grade, removing the incompatible imported Silesauridae/Sulcimentisauria grouping. Do not imply a monophyletic family in this chosen model. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Technosaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577); [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Thecodontosaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Thecodontosaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Tuebingosaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Massopoda → Tuebingosaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Unaysaurus 2024 dedicated study identifies Unaysaurus as an unaysaurid. Avoid isolated 2026 family expansion without checking complete topology. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Unaysauridae → Unaysaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [On a skeletally immature individual of Unaysaurus tolentinoi](https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25285). ### Velocipes Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Neotheropoda → Velocipes. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Wudingloong Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Massopoda → Wudingloong. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Xiangyunloong Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Massopoda → Xiangyunloong. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Xiaosaurus Remove unsupported Fabrosauridae; the primary supplementary anatomical review supports a valid basal neornithischian. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Neornithischia → Xiaosaurus. Disposition: documented-working-path-change. References: [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Xixiposaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Sauropodomorpha → Plateosauridae → Xixiposaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Yandusaurus Focused shallow-path screen; retained supported broad position or named ancestry. Basal placement is not padded to meet a depth quota. Working path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Parapredentata → Saphornithischia → Genasauria → Neornithischia → Yandusaurus. Disposition: retain-working-placement. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Zupaysaurus Focused shallow-path review finds no verified basis to force a narrower placement; retained current source-backed working parent. This status does not claim an independent comprehensive genus revision. Working path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Neotheropoda → Zupaysaurus. Disposition: retain-current-working-path. ### Krzyzanowskisaurus Tooth-based identity may belong to Revueltosaurus or another non-dinosaurian archosaur; an ornithischian branch is unsupported. Archived pre-exclusion path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Krzyzanowskisaurus. Disposition: approved-exclusion. References: [The first occurrence of the enigmatic archosaur Krzyzanowskisaurus hunti in Arizona](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4411520/). ### Protoavis Probably composite name-bearing material does not establish one diagnosable dinosaur genus. Archived pre-exclusion path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Protoavis. Disposition: approved-exclusion. References: [A critical re-evaluation of the Late Triassic dinosaur taxa of North America](https://doi.org/10.1017/S1477201906002040). ### Saltopus The dedicated revision places Saltopus outside Dinosauria. Archived pre-exclusion path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Saltopus. Disposition: approved-exclusion. References: [Saltopus, a dinosauriform from the Upper Triassic of Scotland](https://doi.org/10.1017/S1755691011020081). ### Gongbusaurus The dubious tooth-based type shiyii does not inherit the more informative ancestry of referred wucaiwanensis material. Archived pre-exclusion path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Fabrosauridae → Gongbusaurus. Disposition: approved-exclusion. References: [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ### Nanosaurus The dedicated 2025 revision finds the name-bearing material indeterminate; historical referred skeletons cannot establish an independent answer. Archived pre-exclusion path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Genasauria → Neornithischia → Nanosaurus. Disposition: approved-exclusion. References: [A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2346577). ### Yaverlandia The 2026 dedicated revision leaves dinosaur identity unresolved; no supported maniraptoran, pachycephalosaur or other narrow branch. Archived pre-exclusion path: Dinosauria → Saurischia → Theropoda → Yaverlandia. Disposition: approved-exclusion. References: [A second specimen of the enigmatic Wealden reptile Yaverlandia](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2026.101179). ### Ferganocephale Dubious tooth-based name; only a broad Saphornithischia interpretation is defensible, without a diagnosable independent hidden answer. Archived pre-exclusion path: Dinosauria → Ornithischia → Ferganocephale. Disposition: approved-exclusion. References: [Fonseca et al. 2024: Supplementary Data 1, excluded and fragmentary taxa](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26076646). ## Family working-model decision Retain the existing published Unaysauridae membership of Macrocollum, Unaysaurus and Jaklapallisaurus, supported by the dedicated 2024 studies. Retain Musankwa at Massopoda and Pradhania in the existing Massospondylidae working model. The weak and partly alternative 2026 topology is disclosed but is not adopted piecemeal. Reconsider as a whole if a better-resolved analysis changes the balance of evidence. References: [Osteology of Jaklapallisaurus asymmetricus](https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25359); [On a skeletally immature individual of Unaysaurus tolentinoi](https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25285); [A new sauropodomorph dinosaur from the Pebbly Arkose Formation of Kariba, Zimbabwe](https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2678610).