dictyosauroids

Dictyosauroids are a group of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Placodontia. They were characterized by their flattened, often broad bodies and peculiar dentition. While the exact phylogenetic relationships of dictyosauroids are still debated, they are generally considered to be closely related to other placodonts like placodus and cyamodus.

These reptiles lived during the Triassic period, inhabiting shallow marine environments. Their diet is believed to have consisted primarily of hard-shelled invertebrates, such as mollusks and crustaceans. This is inferred from their specialized teeth, which were typically broad, flattened, and peg-like, adapted for crushing rather than slicing. Some dictyosauroid species also possessed dermal armor in the form of bony plates, which may have offered protection from predators.

Fossil evidence of dictyosauroids has been found in various parts of the world, with significant discoveries in Europe and Asia. Their morphology varied among species, with some exhibiting more elongated bodies and others being more disc-shaped. The term "dictyosauroid" itself refers to a characteristic network-like or reticulate pattern sometimes observed in their fossilized remains, particularly in the skull. Like other placodonts, dictyosauroids eventually became extinct by the end of the Triassic period, likely due to environmental changes and competition with other marine reptiles.