Audriodons

Audriodons are a group of extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 230 to 200 million years ago. They are known from fossils found in Europe, North America, and South America. Audriodons are characterized by their long, slender bodies, flippers, and a long, narrow snout. They are believed to have been semi-aquatic, spending much of their time in the water, but also capable of moving on land. Their diet is thought to have consisted mainly of fish and other small aquatic animals. Audriodons are part of the larger group of marine reptiles known as ichthyosaurs, which were the dominant marine predators during the Mesozoic era. Despite their name, audriodons are not closely related to dinosaurs, but rather to another group of marine reptiles called plesiosaurs. The name "audriodon" comes from the Greek words "audrios," meaning "fearful," and "odon," meaning "tooth," reflecting the fearsome appearance of these reptiles.