Psephoderma

Psephoderma is an extinct genus of marine reptile belonging to the order Placodontia, which lived during the Late Triassic period. The genus is known from a single species, Psephoderma alpinum, found in marine limestone deposits in the Alps of Italy and Austria. Placodonts were a group of marine reptiles that were characterized by their broad, flat teeth, which were adapted for crushing hard-shelled prey such as mollusks. Psephoderma itself was a relatively large placodont, with an estimated length of up to 2.5 meters. Its most distinctive feature was its armor plating, which covered its back and sides. This armor was made up of numerous small, tightly interlocking bony scales, giving it a mosaic-like appearance. The skull of Psephoderma was broad and flattened, with a short snout. Its jaws were powerful, designed to crush the shells of its prey. The exact phylogenetic position of Psephoderma within Placodontia is debated, but it is generally considered to be one of the more derived placodonts, possibly related to the cyamodontoids. The discovery of Psephoderma has provided valuable insights into the diversity and adaptations of placodont reptiles during the Triassic, a period of significant marine reptile evolution.