thalattosaurus

Thalattosaurus is an extinct genus of Triassic marine reptiles that belongs to Thalattosauria, a group of early aquatic reptiles that inhabited coastal and shallow marine environments after the end-Permian extinction. Fossils are known from Triassic rocks in North America, and they help illuminate early marine reptile evolution on the western rim of the Panthalassa Ocean.

In terms of anatomy, thalattosaurs typically exhibit elongated bodies with limbs adapted into paddle-like flippers and a relatively small skull. Thalattosaurus likely possessed a streamlined form suited to swimming in shallow seas, with teeth adapted for a carnivorous diet of fish and invertebrates.

The fossil record of Thalattosaurus, though not extensive, includes skeletal remains that allow researchers to infer its aquatic lifestyle and relatives within Thalattosauria. The genus contributes to understanding the early diversification of marine reptiles during the Triassic.

Palaeoecology and significance: Thalattosaurus lived in marine environments alongside other Triassic reptiles and invertebrates. Its anatomy and lifestyle illustrate the early experiments in fully aquatic locomotion among reptiles and help clarify the evolutionary history of Thalattosauria and Triassic marine ecosystems.