Saurosphargids

Saurosphargids are an extinct group of marine reptiles that lived during the Triassic period. They are classified within the order Sauropterygia, a diverse group that also includes plesiosaurs and pliosaurs. Saurosphargids are characterized by their broad, flattened bodies, relatively short necks, and paddle-like limbs, adaptations for a life in the water.

The fossil record of saurosphargids is primarily found in Europe and Asia. The most well-known genus is Saurosphargis, which gives the group its name. Other notable members include Sinosaurosphargis and Corazzatosaurus. These reptiles likely inhabited shallow, coastal marine environments, feeding on fish and invertebrates.

Their exact evolutionary relationships within Sauropterygia are still a subject of scientific debate. Some studies suggest they represent an early offshoot of the sauropterygian lineage, while others place them closer to the pachypleurosaurids. The unique combination of features, such as the presence of osteoderms (bony plates) in some species, sets them apart from other marine reptiles of the Triassic. The extinction of saurosphargids occurred before the end of the Triassic, likely due to environmental changes or competition with other marine fauna.