dragonis

Dragonis is a genus of extinct reptiles that lived during the Late Triassic period. These creatures are known from fossil discoveries primarily in what is now the Morrison Formation of North America. Dragonis is characterized by its relatively small size compared to many of its contemporaries, with most specimens indicating an adult length of around 1 to 1.5 meters. Its skeletal structure suggests a bipedal locomotion, and it possessed a slender build.

The skull of Dragonis exhibits features common to early archosaurs, including a long snout and a relatively large number of teeth, suggesting a carnivorous or insectivorous diet. While direct evidence of its integument is scarce, paleontologists infer it may have had scales, a typical characteristic of reptiles. Dragonis is considered an important find in understanding the early diversification of reptiles during the Mesozoic Era, providing insights into the evolutionary pathways that would eventually lead to more well-known dinosaur groups. Its exact phylogenetic placement is still debated among paleontologists, but it is generally considered to be within the Ornithodira, a group that includes dinosaurs and pterosaurs, or in a closely related lineage. Further fossil discoveries are needed to fully elucidate the biology and evolutionary significance of Dragonis.