Libitina

Libitina is a genus of small, extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 230 to 200 million years ago. The genus is known from a single species, Libitina goodei, which was first described by the American paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope in 1870. The fossil remains of Libitina have been found in the United States, particularly in the states of Texas and Wyoming.

Libitina is characterized by its small size, with adults reaching lengths of only about 1.5 meters. It had a slender body, a long neck, and a small head with a beak-like mouth filled with sharp teeth. The limbs of Libitina were relatively short and adapted for a semi-aquatic lifestyle, with webbed feet that likely aided in swimming. The most distinctive feature of Libitina is its long, whip-like tail, which was likely used for balance and propulsion in the water.

The diet of Libitina is thought to have consisted primarily of small fish and other aquatic invertebrates. Its semi-aquatic lifestyle is supported by the presence of a single, large claw on each hind foot, which may have been used to grasp prey or stabilize the animal while swimming.

Libitina is considered to be a member of the order Eosuchia, which includes a diverse group of early archosaurs that evolved into dinosaurs and their descendants. The discovery of Libitina has provided valuable insights into the early evolution of archosaurs and their transition from a semi-aquatic to a fully terrestrial lifestyle.