Dyrosaurids

Dyrosaurids were a family of extinct neosuchian crocodylomorphs that lived during the Late Cretaceous and Paleogene periods. They were characterized by their long, slender snouts, which were often armed with numerous sharp teeth. This morphology suggests they were primarily piscivorous, preying on fish. Dyrosaurids were a diverse group, with a wide geographic distribution, their fossils having been found in Africa, Europe, North America, and South America.

The most defining feature of dyrosaurids is their distinctive skull. The snout was typically elongated and narrow, differing from the broader snouts of modern crocodilians. This specialization likely allowed them to efficiently capture fast-swimming prey in aquatic environments. Their teeth were conical and sharp, well-suited for grasping slippery fish.

Fossil evidence indicates that dyrosaurids inhabited various aquatic and semi-aquatic environments, including rivers, estuaries, and possibly even coastal marine waters. Their ability to adapt to different water types contributed to their widespread success.

The dyrosaurid lineage appears to have survived the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs. They flourished in the early Paleogene before eventually going extinct. The exact reasons for their extinction are not fully understood, but may be related to changing environmental conditions or competition with other predators. Famous dyrosaurid genera include Dyrosaurus and Phosphorosaurus.