salateids

Salateids are a taxonomic family of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Ichthyosauria. These animals lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 237 to 201 million years ago. Ichthyosaurs, in general, were a diverse group of marine reptiles that evolved to resemble fish and dolphins, adapting to a fully aquatic lifestyle. Salateids represent a particular branch within this evolutionary radiation.

Key characteristics of salateids include their streamlined bodies, paddle-like limbs, and a long, often pointed snout. The exact phylogenetic relationships of salateids within ichthyosaurs are subject to ongoing research, but they are generally considered to be more derived than some of the earliest ichthyosaur forms. Their fossil remains are found in various geological formations from the Late Triassic, providing insights into the marine ecosystems of that era.

The diet of salateids likely consisted of fish and other small marine organisms, as inferred from their sharp teeth and jaw structure. Like other ichthyosaurs, they were viviparous, meaning they gave birth to live young, a significant adaptation for marine life. The extinction of salateids, like many other marine reptile groups, occurred around the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event, which dramatically reshaped life on Earth. Their fossils serve as important markers for understanding the evolution and diversification of ichthyosaurs.