pleurodiran

Pleurodirans are a group of extinct reptiles that lived during the Triassic and Jurassic periods, approximately 250 to 175 million years ago. They are characterized by their unique body structure, which includes a long, flat body and a large, flat head. Pleurodirans are believed to have been semi-aquatic, with their flat bodies and webbed limbs adapted for swimming. They are also known for their distinctive teeth, which were adapted for crushing and grinding food.

Pleurodirans are divided into two main groups: the Erythrosuchidae and the Proterosuchidae. The Erythrosuchidae were small to medium-sized reptiles, with a body length of up to 2 meters. They had a long, flat body and a large, flat head, with a distinctive row of teeth along the top of their jaws. The Proterosuchidae were larger reptiles, with a body length of up to 6 meters. They had a more rounded body shape and a smaller head, with a more typical row of teeth along the top of their jaws.

Pleurodirans are believed to have been active predators, feeding on a variety of small animals and plants. They are also believed to have been important members of their ecosystems, helping to control populations of smaller animals and plants. However, their exact role in the Triassic and Jurassic ecosystems is still a topic of ongoing research.

Pleurodirans went extinct at the end of the Jurassic period, along with many other groups of reptiles. The exact cause of their extinction is still a topic of debate, but it is believed to have been related to a combination of factors, including climate change and the rise of the dinosaurs.