Lyalli

Lyalli refers to a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the ichthyosaur group. These creatures lived during the Triassic period, specifically from the Late Triassic epoch, approximately 228 to 205 million years ago. Lyalli are known from fossil remains, primarily found in rock formations of that age. They are characterized by their dolphin-like body shape, which is a classic ichthyosaurian adaptation for efficient swimming in the marine environment. Their limbs were modified into flippers, and they possessed a long snout. The exact phylogenetic placement of Lyalli within the ichthyosaur clade is a subject of ongoing scientific study, but they are generally considered to be among the more basal or early forms of ichthyosaurs. The discovery of Lyalli fossils has contributed to our understanding of the early evolution and diversification of ichthyosaurs during the Mesozoic Era. Research on their anatomy and paleobiogeography helps to reconstruct the ancient marine ecosystems in which they lived.