Toiduvabariides

Toiduvabariides are a rare and poorly documented group of small, extinct marine reptiles that belong to the broader clade of thalamosaurs, an ancient lineage of aquatic reptiles. The name "Toiduvabariides" is derived from the type genus *Toiduvabaris*, which was first described in 2016 based on fossil remains discovered in the Late Triassic deposits of Madagascar. This group is characterized by its elongated, eel-like body, a feature shared with other thalamosaurs, which likely facilitated a semi-pelagic lifestyle.

Fossil evidence of toiduvabariids is limited to a few partial skeletons, primarily consisting of vertebrae and limb fragments. These remains suggest a streamlined body plan, with reduced limbs and a long, flexible tail, adaptations that may have allowed for efficient swimming. The exact phylogenetic placement of toiduvabariids within thalamosaurs remains debated, but they are generally considered closely related to other basal forms such as *Thalattosaurus* and *Haasiasaurus*.

The Late Triassic period, during which toiduvabariids lived, was a time of significant environmental changes, including the end-Triassic mass extinction event. This period saw the decline of many marine reptile groups, and toiduvabariids likely faced similar pressures, contributing to their eventual extinction. Their fossils provide valuable insights into the diversity and evolutionary adaptations of early marine reptiles, though their scarcity in the fossil record limits detailed study.

Research on toiduvabariids remains ongoing, with further discoveries potentially offering clearer insights into their anatomy, ecology, and evolutionary relationships. As one of the more obscure thalamosaur lineages, they represent an important but understudied component of Triassic marine reptile biodiversity.