thalattosauran

Thalattosauran refers to an extinct group of marine reptiles that lived during the Triassic period. These animals were adapted to life in the sea, with their bodies becoming increasingly streamlined and their limbs evolving into paddle-like structures for swimming. Thalattosaurans were typically small to medium-sized, with long tails that likely aided in propulsion. Their skulls were often elongated, and their teeth were suited for catching fish and other small marine invertebrates.

The exact evolutionary relationships of thalattosaurans are still debated, but they are generally considered to be diapsid reptiles, though their precise placement within that larger group remains uncertain. Fossils of thalattosaurans have been found in marine deposits across the globe, indicating a widespread distribution during the Triassic. Their diet is inferred from their dentition and the stomach contents found in some well-preserved specimens.

Thalattosaurans represent an interesting example of marine reptile adaptation during a critical period in Earth's history. Their presence highlights the diverse forms that life took as the oceans repopulated and diversified following the Permian-Triassic extinction event. The group includes several well-known genera such as Thalattosaurus, Hescheleria, and Claraziodus, each with slightly different anatomical features. Their extinction at the end of the Triassic period coincides with other major faunal turnovers.