Pelagosaurus

Pelagosaurus is an extinct genus of marine reptile belonging to the ichthyosaur group. It lived during the Early Jurassic period, approximately 190 to 174 million years ago. The genus is known from fossils found in Europe, primarily in France and Germany. Pelagosaurus was a relatively small ichthyosaur, with estimated lengths of around 1.5 to 2 meters. Its body was streamlined, adapted for efficient swimming in the ancient seas.

The remains of Pelagosaurus indicate a diet of small fish and squid, which it likely caught using its numerous sharp teeth. Its snout was elongated and narrow, suggesting it was a specialized predator. Like other ichthyosaurs, Pelagosaurus gave birth to live young, a common adaptation for marine reptiles. The discovery of multiple specimens has provided valuable insights into the anatomy and lifestyle of this early ichthyosaur.

Pelagosaurus represents an important evolutionary step in the diversification of ichthyosaurs during the Jurassic. Its fossils help paleontologists understand the transition from earlier, more primitive forms to the larger, more diverse ichthyosaurs that dominated the oceans later in the Mesozoic Era. The genus is named from the Greek words "pelagos" meaning "sea" and "sauros" meaning "lizard."