pistosaurids

Pistosaurids were a group of marine reptiles that lived during the Triassic period. They are considered to be among the earliest ichthyosaurs or closely related to them. Fossil evidence suggests that pistosaurids were relatively small, typically measuring around one to two meters in length. They possessed streamlined bodies, long snouts, and paddle-like limbs, adaptations well-suited for an aquatic lifestyle. Their diet likely consisted of fish and invertebrates, which they would have caught using their sharp teeth.

The discovery of pistosaurid fossils has provided crucial insights into the evolutionary history of marine reptiles, particularly the lineage leading to the more well-known ichthyosaurs. Some researchers consider pistosaurids to be an ancestral group from which ichthyosaurs evolved, while others place them as a sister group, meaning they shared a common ancestor but did not directly give rise to ichthyosaurs. The precise phylogenetic position of pistosaurids is still a subject of ongoing scientific debate and research. Remains have been found in various locations, indicating a relatively widespread distribution across the ancient oceans of the Triassic. Studying pistosaurids helps paleontologists understand the diversification of marine life during this significant period in Earth's history.