rhynchosaurs

Rhynchosaurs were a group of extinct, herbivorous, archosauromorph reptiles that lived during the Triassic period. The name Rhynchosauria means "beaked reptiles," a reference to their distinctive beaks. These animals were characterized by their narrow skulls, elongated snouts, and beak-like structures formed by the fused premaxillae and dentary bones. They possessed rows of small, leaf-shaped teeth on the palate and a single large tooth at the front of the lower jaw, which acted as a shearing surface against the upper beak.

Rhynchosaurs were relatively small to medium-sized animals, typically ranging from less than a meter to about two meters in length. Their bodies were robust, and they had powerful limbs, suggesting they were capable of digging or at least moving through dense vegetation. Their diet likely consisted of tough plant material, which they would have processed using their unique beak and dental apparatus. Fossil evidence indicates they were widespread, with remains found across various continents, particularly in South America, Africa, and Europe.

The exact phylogenetic placement of rhynchosaurs has been debated, but they are generally considered to be within the Archosauromorpha, a major lineage that also includes crocodiles, birds, and dinosaurs. They represent an early and distinct branch of herbivorous reptiles that achieved considerable diversity and abundance during the Triassic. Their extinction at the end of the Triassic period, along with many other species, marks the end of their evolutionary history.