Mastodonsaurids

Mastodonsaurids are a group of herbivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 million years ago. They are known for their distinctive, club-like tail, which was likely used for defense against predators. Mastodonsaurids are characterized by their robust build, short limbs, and large, flat teeth adapted for grinding plant material. The most well-known genus within this group is Mastodonsaurus, which was discovered in North America.

Mastodonsaurids are believed to have been semi-aquatic, with their short limbs and webbed feet suggesting they spent a significant amount of time in or near water. This adaptation may have helped them to avoid predators and to access food sources. Their diet likely consisted of aquatic plants and other vegetation found in their habitat.

The fossil record of mastodonsaurids is relatively limited, with only a few species and genera known from fragmentary remains. However, their unique adaptations and the distinctive features of their fossils have made them an important group for understanding the diversity of Late Cretaceous dinosaurs.

Mastodonsaurids are part of the larger group of hadrosaurid dinosaurs, which includes other well-known genera such as Edmontosaurus and Parasaurolophus. The exact relationships between mastodonsaurids and other hadrosaurids are still a topic of ongoing research, but their distinctive features suggest they may have evolved unique adaptations in response to their specific ecological niche.