Genus: Californosaurus KUHN, 1934
Etymology: In reference to the state of California, where the fossil was found, and Greek, sauros, “lizard”: Californian lizard.
= Delphinosaurus Merriam, 1905 non Eichwald, 1862 (Delphinosaurus kiprijanoffii Ichthyosauria, Ophthalmosauridae, incertae sedis)
Etymology: Greek, delphis, “dolphin” and Greek, sauros, “lizard”: Dolphin lizard.
= Perrinosaurus MERRIAM, 1938
Etymology: In honor of Prof. James Perrin Smith, (1864-1931), and Greek, sauros, “lizard”: Perrin’s lizard.

Species: perrini (MERRIAM, 1902) KUHN, 1934
Etymology: In honor of Prof. James Perrin Smith, (1864-1931).
= Shastasaurus perrini MERRIAM, 1902
= Delphinosaurus perrini (MERRIAM, 1902) MERRIAM, 1905
= Perrinosaurus perrini (MERRIAM, 1902) MERRIAM, 1938
= Toretocnemus perrini (MERRIAM, 1902) HILTON, 2003

Holotype: UCMP 9119

Locality: Between Squay Creek and Pitt River, The Cove, a few miles north of Winthrop Post Office, Shasta County, California.

Horizon: Hosselkus Formation Formation.

Biostratigraphy:

Age: Carnian Stage, Lower Late Triassic Epoch, Late Triassic.

Material: Fragmentary skeleton.

Referred material:

UCMP 10998: Anterior region of the skull and fragmentary skeleton.

UCMP 9082: Fragmentary skeleton.

HILTON, 2003

UCMP 9086: Vertebra and limb bones.

UCMP 9119: Skeleton.

UCMP 9111: Caudal vertebra.

UCMP 9113: Vertebra.

UCMP 9114: Rib.

UCMP 9116: Vertebra and rib.

UCMP 9117: Vertebra.

UCMP 9118: