dictyosaur

Dictyosaurus is a genus of marine reptile that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 230 to 210 million years ago. It is one of the earliest known marine reptiles and is considered a transitional form between terrestrial reptiles and fully aquatic marine reptiles. Dictyosaurus is known from several well-preserved fossils found in Germany, particularly in the Solnhofen limestone quarries.

Dictyosaurus had a streamlined body, similar to that of modern dolphins, which is an adaptation for swimming. Its limbs were relatively short and webbed, with long, narrow fingers and toes that likely aided in propulsion. The skull was elongated and narrow, with small eyes and a long, pointed snout, suggesting that it was a fast-moving predator. The teeth were conical and serrated, designed for catching and holding slippery prey.

The diet of Dictyosaurus is thought to have consisted mainly of fish, although it may have also fed on other small marine reptiles. Its streamlined body and efficient swimming abilities would have made it well-suited to hunting in the open waters of the Late Triassic seas. Dictyosaurus is an important fossil in the study of the evolution of marine reptiles, providing insights into the adaptations that allowed these reptiles to transition from land to sea.