Albidorsa

Albidorsa is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Ichthyosauria. These creatures lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 237 to 201 million years ago. The name "albidorsa" is derived from Latin, meaning "white back," possibly referring to a characteristic of its fossilized remains or a hypothetical coloration.

Fossils attributed to Albidorsa have been discovered primarily in Europe, with significant finds in Germany. The genus is known from partial skeletons, including vertebrae and limb bones. These remains suggest that Albidorsa was a relatively small to medium-sized ichthyosaur, likely measuring around 2 to 4 meters in length. Its body shape was streamlined, typical of ichthyosaurs, adapted for efficient swimming in marine environments.

The diet of Albidorsa is presumed to have consisted of fish and smaller marine invertebrates, based on the general feeding habits of other ichthyosaurs from the same period. Its teeth, where preserved, indicate a carnivorous lifestyle. Albidorsa represents a component of the diverse marine ecosystems of the Late Triassic, a time when ichthyosaurs were diversifying into various forms. The exact phylogenetic relationships of Albidorsa within the ichthyosaur lineage are still a subject of ongoing research, with its classification sometimes debated among paleontologists. Its discovery contributes to our understanding of ichthyosaur evolution and the paleobiogeography of the Triassic oceans.