protounohdintojen

Protounohdintojen are a group of extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 230 to 200 million years ago. They are considered to be the earliest known members of the order Unohdintonia, which includes modern-day sea turtles and their relatives. Protounohdintojen fossils have been found in various parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and South America.

These reptiles were characterized by their streamlined bodies, paddle-like limbs, and a shell-like carapace on their backs. They were likely semi-aquatic and may have fed on a diet of fish and other small marine animals. Protounohdintojen are significant in the study of the evolution of sea turtles, as they represent an early stage in the development of these animals.

The name "protounohdintojen" comes from the Greek words "proto," meaning first, and "unohdintonen," referring to the order Unohdintonia. The term was coined by paleontologists to describe these early members of the order, which are distinct from later forms such as the Plesiochelys and the true sea turtles.