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If we want to make this project realistic, we need to know precisely what kinds of animals were present when/where are project begins, so we know what directions we can go in in terms of speculative biology. Here I present a index I have compiled of what fauna would be present at the beginning of the project (c. 231-201 million years BCE), with a general description of each group:
Vertebrates Vertebrata (vertebrates):- Rhipidistia (rhipidistians):
- Dipnomorpha (dipnomorphs):
- Dipnoi (dipnoi):
- Dipteriformes:
- Dipteridae (dipterids); Only represented by Dipterus,
it was 35 cm and generally resembled modern lungfish. However, it retains separate dorsal, caudal and anal fins and had more developed lungs compared to modern lungfish's airbladders. It also only had tooth-like plates on its palate instead of real teeth. From North America. Relatively basal lungfish.
- Crown lungfish + Gnathorhizids:
- Gnathorhizidae (gnathorhizids); Represented by Beltanodus from Madagascar, gnathorhizids are characterised by possessing high-ridged toothplates that form cutting blades, similar to modern African and South American lungfish, implying they were active predators. Often associated with regular burrow structures, suggesting they may have aestivated in burrows during the dry season, again like modern African and South American lungfish.
- Ceratodontiformes:
- Lepidosireniformes:
- Tetrapodomorpha (tetrapodomorphs):
- Eotetrapodiformes (eotetrapodiforms):
- Elpistostegalia (epistostegalians):
- Stegocephalia (stegocephalians):
- Tetrapoda (tetrapods); see below
Tetrapods Tetrapoda (tetrapods):- Temnospondyli (temnospondyls):
- Eutemnospondyli (eutemnospondyls):
- Rachitomi (rachitoms):
- Dissorophoidea (dissorophoideans):
- Amphibamidae (amphibamids):
- Karauridae (karaurids); Unknown from the Triassic, only represented by two genera from Late Jurassic Kyrgyzstan, with an inferred ghost lineage back to the Early Permian at least. Superficially salamander like, but with shorter, more compact bodies and broader heads. Generally about 20 cm long, at least semi-aquatic, perhaps fully.
- Batrachia (batrachians):
- Salientia (salientians):
- Anura (anurans); Frogs and toads. (To be expanded)
- Caudata + Allocaudata:
- Caudata (caudatans); True salamanders and their closest relatives. The presence of true salamanders (Urodela) in the Triassic is unclear. Generally resemble modern salamanders, semi-aquatic.
- Allocaudata (allocaudatans):
- Albanerpetontidae (albaneroetontids); Salamander-like amphibians. Their presence is unknown in the Triassic, but have an inferred ghost lineage. Generally resemble salamanders, however they appear to have been more terrestrial, with strong limbs and were covered in bony scales.
- Eryopiformes (eryopiforms):
- Stereospondylomorpha (stereospondylomorphs):
- Stereospondyli (stereospondyls):
- Capitosauria (capitosaurians):
- Mastodonsauroidae (mastodonsauroids):
- Mastodonsauridae (mastodonsaurids); Large semi-aquatic predatory amphibians, reaching lengths between 1-6 metres in length. They had long, flattened bodies and flat, elongated, vaguely triangular shaped heads (some with tusks protruding from the lower jaw up through the skull). Believed to be fish-eaters, known from North America, Greenland, Europe, Asia and Australia.
- Heylerosauridae (heylerosaurids); Large semi-aquatic predatory amphibians, generally around 1 metre in length. Similar in shape to mastodonsaurids, perhaps with more triangularly shaped skulls. Known from North America, Europe and Asia.
- Stenotosauridae (stenotosaurids); Large semi-aquatic predatory amphibians, generally resembling mastodonsaurids and heylerosaurids in shape, although some stenotosaurids had wedge-shaped heads rather than flattened ones. Known from at least Europe and South Africa.
- Trematosauria (trematosaurians):
- Chigutisaurids + (caecilians + (brachyopids + plagiosaurids)):
- Chigutisauridae (chigutisaurids); Large, semi-aquatic predatory amphibians ranging in size from 1 to 2.5 metres (although the Cretaceous Koolasuchus may have reached 5 metres). Had broad, flattened heads and bodies, known only from Gondwana (South America, South Africa, India and Australia).
- Caecilians + (brachyopids + plagiosaurids):
- Brachyopids + plagiosaurids:
- Brachyopidae (brachyopids); Large, semi-aquatic predatory amphibians, ranging in size from at least 71 cm to 7 metres (based on a jaw fragment from Lesotho). Had broad, flattened heads and bodies, known from at least North America, South Africa, Australia and Asia.
- Plagiosauridae (plagiosaurids); Medium sized aquatic amphibians, usually about 1 metre in length. Had extremely broad and flattened heads and bodies with external gills, so likely spent a lot of time lying on the bottom of lakes and rivers. Known from at least Greenland, Europe and possibly Thailand.
- Gymnophiona (gymnophionans); Basal caecilians, including Rileymillerus and Chinlestegophis. Small in size, with features more similar to caecilians, including sideways facing eyes and some degree of fossorial adaptations. Still retain all four legs. Known only from the southern US.
- Trematosauroidae (trematosauroids):
- Trematosauridae (trematosaurids); Large piscivorous amphibians, unique among temnospondyls as having fully marine lifestyles. Two families can be distinguished by their snout shapes, lonchorhynchinae and trematosaurinae, having a gharial-like snout and a more crocodile-like snout, respectively. Roughly give-or-take 2 metres in length, known from Europe, Asia, Madagascar and Australia.
- Metoposauridae (metoposaurids); Large predatory amphibians, approximately 2.5 metres (sometimes up to 3 metres) in length, distinquishable in having eyes placed quite far forward on the skull. Known from North America, Europe and Africa.
- Reptiliomorpha (reptiliomorphs):
- Chonriosuchia
- Bystrowianidae (bystrowianids); The only non-amniote reptiliomorphs to survive the P-Tr extinction, they were semi-aquatic to possibly even terrestrial "amphibians". Interestingly they possesed a row of armour plating running the length of their spines. Rare in the Triassic, only known from Russia and Germany, implying a potentially wider Eurasian distribution.
- Chroniosuchidae (chroniosuchids); Unusual compared to other chroniosuchids, with raised orbits and usual ridges on its skull. Suggests a geographic separation between chroniosuchids and bystrowianids in the Triassic. Known only from Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, may or may not be from this time frame.
- Amniota (amniotes); See below
Amniota (amniotes):
- Synapsida (synapsids):
- Neotherapsida (neotherapsids):
- Anomodontia (anomodontians):
- Chainosauria (chainosaurians):
- Dicynodontia (dicynodonts):
- Therochelonia (therochelonians):
- Bidentalia (bidentialians):
- Dicynodontoidea (dicynodontoids):
- Kannemeyeriiformes (kannemeyeriforms):
- Stahleckeriidae (stahleckeriids): The last remaining lineage of dicynodonts in the Mesozoic, these are pig to ox sized herbivores, with short, strong barrel-shaped bodies, large heads with strong jaws and beeaks. While Hind limbs are generally held erect, unlike more primitive dicynodonts, whereas the forelimbs are held semi-splayed. Kannemereriids were very common, and one of (if not the) most abundant herbivores during the Triassic, with a global distribution.
- Theriodontia (theriodontians):
- Eutheriodontia (eutheriodonts):
- Cynodontia (cynodonts):
- Epicynodontia (epicynodonts):
- Eucynodontia (eucynodonts):
- Cynognathia (cynognathians):
- Gomphodontia (gomphodonts):
- Traversodontidae (traversodontids); Small to large sized herbivorous cynodonts, up to 2 metres (6 ft.) in some genera (e.g. Exaeretodon). Characterised by wide postcanine teeth from their herbivorous diets, they typically had large canines with short, constricted snouts (implying they had cheeks) with a broad rear skull. Some Late Triassic European forms appear to be island dwarfs. Widespread distribution, found globally.
- Gomphodontosuchinae (gomphodontosuchines); Large traversodontids approaching 2 metres in some species, they appear to have had a specialised grinding action when processing food. Juvenile Exaeretodon had decidious teeth, implying a degree of parental care where adults provided food for their offspring. Gondwanan distribution, known from South America, Madagascar and India.
- Massetognathinae (massetognathines); Small (<50 cm long) traversodontids characterised by low, flat skulls and small canine teeth. Their snouts are typically short and broad. Gondwanan distribution, known from south America and Madagascar.
- Probainognathia (probainognathians):
- Ecteniniidae (ecteniniids); Large (>1 metre long) carnivorous cynodonts unique for having erect limbs and digitigrade forelimbs, representing the first cursorial synapsids. Likely active predators that could chase down and subdue relatively large prey items. Only known from South America.
- Tritylodontidae (tritylodontids); Small to medium sized cynodonts, like the traversodontids they are herbivorous and are highly specialised and mammal-like, comparable to our modern day rodents
- Chiniquodontidae (chiniquodontids); Small to medium sized carnivorous cynodonts, very mammal like. Likely competed with the first dinosaurs.
- Tritheledontidae (tritheledontidae); Small carnivorous/insectivorous cynodonts, very advanced and closely related to mammals
- Mammaliaformes (mammaliaforms); The most advanced group of cynodonts, mammaliaforms include the crown group mammalia and its closest relatives.
- Sauropsida (sauropsids):
- Parareptilia (parareptiles);
- Procolophonomorpha (procolophonomorphs):
- Haluucicrania (hallucicranians):
- Procolophonia (procolophonians):
- Procolophonoidea (procolophonoids):
- Procolophonidae (procolophonids):
- Leptopleuroninae (leptopleuronines); Considered the most derived procolophonids, they superficially resemble stocky, wide-cheeked lizards. They were small, roughly 30-40 cm, however they typically possessed spikes on their cheeks, and may have been armoured. Unlike other procolophonids, their teeth were designed for tough, fibrous vegetation, indicating a primarily herbivorous diet. They were likely burrowers, and typically inhabited drier, arid habitats. Mostly known from the northern hemisphere (North America, Scotland), however one South American species may imply a radiation into Gondwana.
- Diapsida (diapsids):
- Ichthyosauromorpha (ichthyosauromorphs):
- Ichthyosauriformes (ichthyosauriforms):
- Ichthyopterygia (ichthyopterygians):
- Eoichthyosauria (eoichthyosaurians):
- Ichthyosauria (ichthyosaurs):
- Hueneosauria (heuneosaurs):
- Mixosauria (mixosaurians):
- Mixosauridae? (mixosaurids?): May or may not be present in this time frame, cannot find suitable reference for dating or specific genera present. Likely extinct.
- Longipinnati (longipinnatiins):
- Torectocnemidae (torectocnemids); Known only by Torectocnemus and Qianichthyosaurus, they were small (~2 metre) ichthyosaurs with short snouts, large eyes, tall neural spines and "notched" fins. Known from eastern North America and China, implying a pan-Pacific distribution.
- Cymbospondylidae + Merriamosauria:
- Cymbospondylidae (cymbospondylids); Represented only by Cymbospondylus, it ranged in size from 6-10 metres in length with a long, elongated skull. However, the jaws had only small, pointed teeth that were probably suited for small fish and cephalopods. Well known for its lack of dorsal fin or truly fluked tail. From Nevada and Germany.
- Merriamosauria (merriamosaurs):
- Shastasauridae (shastasaurids):
- Shastasaurinae (shastasaurines); Very large bodied ichthyosaurs. Shonisaurus is estimated to have grown 15 metres long, with a deep body and a long toothless snout (juveniles possessed teeth at the jaw tips). Shastasaurus grew up to 21 metres long, however it had a much shorter, toothless snout and a shallower body. All were large in size, with pointed fins and no dorsal fins or true tail flukes. Known from California, British Columbia, China and Tibet.
- Euichthyosauria (euichthyosaurs); A number of basal euichthyosaurs are known, typically resembling shastasaurids, however they have longer snouts and other traits more closely resembling more derived euichthyosaurs. Includes Callawayia and Guizhouichthyosaurus.
- Parvipelvia (parvipelvians); Basal genera Macgowania and Hudsonelpidia.
- Neoichthyosauria (neoichthyosaurians); Basal members unknown, presence inferred by Leptonectes of Leptonectidae.
- Sauria (saurians):
- Lepidosauromorpha (lepidosauromorphs); Stem-lepidosaurs are known to have persisted into the middle Jurassic, so non-lepidosaur lepidosauromorphs must also have been present in the late Triassic.
- Eolacertilia (eolacertilians):
- Kuehneosauridae (kuehneosaurids); Small, lizard-like, gliding, insectivorous animals with 'wings' made from skin stretched across extendable ribs, similar to the modern Draco volans. Known only from England and the north-eastern United States.
- Lepidosauria (lepidosaurians):
- Rhynchocephalia (rhynchocephalians):
- Sphenodontia (sphenodontians); Superficially lizard-like reptiles that filled the niche of lizards as the main small herbivores/insectivores during the Triassic. Structurally, they are almost identical to their only modern representative, the tuatara (however one later group of sphenodonts, the pleurosaurids, were aquatic).
- Pan-Squamata (pan-squamates); Not known from the fossil record, however the presence of their sister-taxa Rhynchocephalia indicates they must have been present. No crown-group squamates were present a this time, so there no existing lineages of modern squamates.
- Archosauromorpha (archosauromorphs); Basal forms represented Malerisaurus and possibly others. Malerisaurus is a medium sized insectivore (1.2 metres), presumed to be a tree climber and swimmer. One species is known from India (M. robinsonae), another from Texas (M. langstoni).
- Sharovipterygidae (sharovipterygids)?; Represented only by Sharovipteryx mirabilis, it was a small animal (20 cm) that was somewhat similar to a lizards, with very long hind limbs, short front limbs and long tail. It ran bipedaly, and uniquely had gliding membranes between the long hind limbs rather than the front limbs (like a delta wing aircraft). It has no adaptations for climbing, and would have either leapt off the ground or ran up trees and jumped off to glide. Known only from Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, it may or may not have been present in this time frame.
- Drepanosauromorpha (drepanosauromorphs); Hypuronector limnaios, small (12 cm long) animal, characterised by its deep, finned tail. May have been arboreal, like later drepanosauromorphs, but could have been aquatic. From New Jersey.
- Elyurosauria (elyurosaurians); Vallesaurus, small drepanosaur (15 cm long), distinguished from drepanosaurids in having a shorter and higher snout. It is more advanced than Hypuronector, in that it has a curved, prehensile tail, however unlike more advanced drepanosaurids it has no tail hook. Two species, V. cenensis and V. zorzinensis, both from Northern Italy.
- Drepanosauridae (drepanosaurids); Sometimes called "monkey-lizards", they're very chameleon-like in build & appearance, as well as living an arboreal lifestyle. They had opposed fingers and toes on their hands and feet, as well as having a large claw on the end of a prehensile tail, adaptations for an arboreal lifestyle, some even had a huge claw on their hands. In contrast to the chameleon-like body, the head is very bird-like; pointed and triangular, toothless and with big eyes. The neck too is articulated like that of a bird. Known from the United States and Europe.
- Tanystropheidae (tanystropheids); Although famous for the long-necked Tanystropheus, Late Triassic tanystropheids were all small, less than a metre long. They all had very similar anatomy: long back legs, short front legs, a long neck, and a relatively large head. Likely insectivores, although probably capabl of preying on other small animals. Known to be semi-aquatic, although some may have been more terrestrial than others. Known from coastal and freshwater environments in southern europe and Eastern North America.
- Crocopoda (crocopods):
- Allokotosauria (allokotosaurians):
- Azendohsauridae (azendohsaurids); Known only from Azendohsaurus, this genus was initially mistaken for a dinosaur based on its teeth and jaw bone. Azendohsaurus is a herbivorous archosauromorph with an elongated neck, short tail, and stocky limbs. The manus and pes have unexpectedly short digits, terminating in large, recurved ungual phalanges. The skull is short and has leaf shaped teeth convergent with that of some herbivorous dinosaurs, like prosauropods. The body shape overall resembles sauropodomorphs and represents a case of convergent evolution. A. laaroussi is known from Morocco, whilst A. madagaskarensis is from Madagascar.
- Trilophosauridae (trilophosaurids); Teraterpeton is an archosauromorph has a long, pointed, toothless snout, with small sharp teeth towards the back of the jaws that are very closely packed together. The nasal is relatively large, positioned close to the eye socket and extending out into the toothless region of the snout. Teraterpeton is also unique in that it is the only known euryapsid archosauromorph, with a closed off infratemporal fenestra (along with a closed off antorbital fenestra). There is also another row of teeth on the palate inside the mouth, in addition to the outside row of teeth, which are slightly indented into the jaw. The body generally resembles other trilophosaurids.
- Derived trilophosaurids; Best represented by the genera Trilophosaurus and Spinosuchus; they were large (2.5 metre long) herbivorous reptiles, lizard-like in appearance, with a long heavy tail and unusually short, broad skull. The premaxilla and lower jaw is absent of teeth and likely had a beak. Some scientists suggest they were tree climbers. Spinosuchus is distinct in having raised neural spines, forming a small sail. Known only from Europe and North America.
- Rhynchosauria (rhynchosaurians):
- Hyperodapedontidae (hyperodapedontids); Small to medium (up to 2 metres) sized herbivores with stocky, barrel-shaped bodies, short powerful legs and a very broad skull with a powerful beak. Appear to have been scratch diggers, rooting through topsoil and earth. They had a worldwide distribution (particularly in the form of Hyperodapedon).
- Archosauriformes (archosauriforms):
- Eucrocopoda (eucrocopods):
- Proterochampsia (proterochampsians):
- Proterochampsidae (proterochampsids); Crocodile-like archosauriformes known only from South America that grew up to 3.5 metres long. Had long, low, elongate skulls and most were armoured. Adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle with high-set nostrils and a second palate. Generally similar to phytosaurs and crocodiles.
- Doswelliidae (doswelliids); Probably semi-aquatic archosauriforms known from North and South America that grew up to two metres. They had a very peculiar and unique body design; the head is wide and flat, with a long, narrow, elongated snout. The neck too is elongate, and the body is very square shaped in cross section, with ribs that project out horizontally and bend down at 90 degrees! The body is also covered in osteoderms. Also includes the bizzare Vancleavea, it was adapted for an aquatic lifestyle and for all intents and purposes resembled an eel, with a long, elongated body and very short limbs. The entire body is covered in osteoderm armour, so much so that the high fin on its tail is made of elongated osteoderms (highly unique considering all other tetrapods tend to use elongated neural spines to increase the depth of the tail). The mouth also sports an impressive set of fangs.
- Archosauriform miscellanea; Several genera are included in archosauriformes but don't belong to any clade within it: Arctosaurus, "Cinizasaurus", Crosbysaurus, Cuyosuchus, Lucianosaurus, Tecovasaurus and Yonghesuchus. Particularly notable is Uatchitodon for having salivary venom (as indicated by the teeth), as seen in modern gila monsters.
- Crurotarsi (crurotarsians):
- Phytosauria (phytosaurians); Large (up to 12 metres long) semi-aquatic crurotarsians that bear a remarkable resemblance to modern day crocodiles in size, appearance and lifestyle (due to convergent evolution), with long bodies, swimming tail, sprawled limbs and a long snout. However, unlike crocodiles, phytosaurs were more heavily armoured than crocs, and had nostrils positioned above the eyes (rather than on the tip of the snout), meaning they could be completely submerged underwater. Other differences from crocodiles include a more primitive ankle structure, and they lack a bony secondary palate (although they may have had a fleshy one instead). There are three known morphotypes in phytosaurs:
- Dolichorostral ("long snouted") types have long, slender snouts with conical teeth, likely piscivorous (comparable to modern gharials).
- Brachyrostral ("short snouted") types have massive, broad snouts and strong skulls and jaws. Specialised in hunting large terrestrial prey. Comparable to modern alligators.
- Altirostral ("high snouted") types were intermediate between the two previous types, and were likely generalist feeders.
Note, these DO NOT represent clades, just morphotypes. Phytosaurs had a near global distribution (possibly global). - Archosauria (archosaurians):
- Pseudosuchia (pseudosuchians):
- Ornithosuchidae (ornithosuchids); Large (up to 4 metres long) pseudosuchians that generally resemble rauisuchians, identifiable in having an arched diastema (gap between the teeth) between the premaxilla and maxilla, as well as having a down turned snout. They are unique in archosaurs for having a "crocodile reversed" ankle, the basal archosauriform Euparkeria being the only other to have this configuration. Known from South America and Scotland.
- Suchia (suchians):
- Aetosauria (aetosaurians):
- Stagonolepididae (stagonolepidids); Medium- to large-sized (up to 5 metres long) armoured herbivores (possibly some insectivores), with long bodies, short but powerful pillar-erect limbs, and covered in plate-like scutes. The head is small, and has a distinctive upturned snout that is blunt and flat. The armour protects most of the body, covering the back, sides, belly and tail. Some species have osteoderms raised into prominent spikes (e.g. Desmatosuchus), likely used for defence. Aetosaurs have several adaptations for digging, including the upturned snout, strong limbs and large hind feet with large claws. They are believed to have consumed soft vegetation, though some are suggested to have fed on insects. Aetosaurs are also known to have built nests much like crocodiles and would have protected their eggs. They have a near global distribution, only absent from Australia and Antarctica, likely due to sampling bias.
- Paracrocodylomorpha (paracrocodylomorphs):
- Poposauroidae (poposauroids):
- Poposauridae (poposaurids); Represented only by the genus Poposaurus, it was a large (around 4 metres long) bipedal carnivore, with front limbs half the length of the hind limbs and pillar-erect limbs. Resembled a gracile rauisuchid, as well as theropod dinosaurs. Known only from North America.
- Shuvosauridae (shuvosaurids); Medium- to large-sized (2-3 metres long) poposauroids that bear a remarkable resemblance to ornithomimosaurs, an "extreme" case of convergent evolution, right down to bipedalism, long necks and beaks. Believed to be herbivorous, possibly omnivorous. Known from North and South America.
- Loricata (loricatans); Non-rauisuchid loricatans were previously grouped together in the clade "prestosuchidae", however it is now believed that they represent a successive evolutionary grade leading up to rauisuchidae. Generally resembled rauisuchids, included genera such as Saurosuchus, Prestosuchus and Batrachotomus. Ranged in size from 2.5 to 7 metres long. Known from Europe and South America.
- Rauisuchidae (rauisuchids); Large to very large (possibly up to 10 metres long) carnivores, with large (almost theropod-like) heads, pillar-erect limbs, long limbs and osteoderms (like that of a crocodile) over their bodies, distribution of which varied between species, appear to have been bipedal. Known from North & South America, Europe, Africa and India, likely had a global distribution. Apex predators.
- Crocodylomorpha (crocodylomorphs): Basal members form the grade "Sphenosuchia" most were small (50cm-1.5 metre long) highly cursorial carnivores, many with elongated limbs, long tails (longer than the rest of the animal in some species) and were likely facultative bipeds. Some species grew to large (~3 metre) sizes, with bipedal gaits. Known from North & South America and Europe.
- Crocodyliformes (crocodyliforms):
- Protosuchidae (protosuchids); C. 1 metre (3 ft) in length, they were cursorial carnivores, with columnular legs (the front shorter than the back), powerful tail, short jaws with broad bases that would increase gape and strength and dentition like that of modern crocodilians. Believed to be good runners and swimmers. From North America, South America, South Africa and Antarctica.
- Pseudosuchia incertae sedis:
- Erpetosuchidae (erpetosuchids); Only represented by Erpetosuchus, it was a small (30 cm long), potentially bipedal predator known only from eastern North America and Scotland. Resembled basal crocodylomorphs, but phylogenetic analyses suggest a placement elsewhere in pseudosuchia. Characterised by having large, unserrated teeth that are restricted to the front half of the maxilla in the upper jaw.
- Avemetatarsalia(avemetatarsalians); the basal aphanosaurs may or may not have persisted into our time frame.
- Ornithodira (ornithodirans):
- Pterosauromorpha (pterosauromorphs):
- Scleromochlidae (scleromochlids); Represented only by the species Scleromochlus taylori, it was a small (18 cm long) cursorial animal, with long legs and large head, likely a facultative biped. Known only from Scotland. May be close to the ancestry of pterosaurs.
- Pterosauria (pterosaurians):
- Eopterosauria (eopterosaurian):
- Preondactylia (preondactylians); Preondactylus burfarinii, wingspan of 45 cm, short wings, relatively long legs, single-cusped pointed teeth. From Italy. Austriadactylus cristatus (wingspan of 120 cm), A. cristatus carried a crest on the snout that gave the head a squarer-appearance, taller towards the tip of the snout. Had small tricuspid-teeth and single-pointed large recurved teeth, 5 forming a prey-grab at the front, with others dispersed in the jaw, tail long.
- Eudimorphodontoidea (eudimorphodontoids); Peteinosaurus; Peteinosaurus zambellii, wingspan of 60 cm, tail stiff, skull unknown, possibly insectivorous, three kinds of conical teeth. From Italy.
- Eudimorphodontidae (eudimorphodontids); Represented by Caviramus schesaplanensis (wingspan of 135 cm), Eudimorphodon (wignspan of 100 cm) and Carnidactylus rosenfeldi (wingspan of 70 cm). Eudimorphodon has fang-like teeth in the premaxillae, with many 3-5 cusped teeth in the rest of the jaw, piscivorous diet, tails long. C. schesaplanensis had a tall, thin bony crest along the midline of the upper jaw that may have supported a larger keratinous crest, with a keel on the lower. From Switzerland and Italy.
- Macronychoptera (macronychopterans); Not known from the fossil record, inferred by the existence of their sister clade Eopterosauria, which they share a common ancestor with.
- Dinosauromorpha (dinosauromorphans):
- Lagerpetidae (lagerpetids); Small (70-100 cm long), somewhat dinosaur-like animals, with long hindlimbs and tails and shorter arms. From Argentina and the south-western United States.
- Dinosauriformes (dinosauriforms); Marasuchus lilloensis, similar in shape to lagerpetids, with long hind-limbs and short front-limbs, generally resembling dinosaurs. 40 cm long, from Argentina.
- Silesauridae (silesaurids); The closest you can get to a dinosaur without actually being one, they were medium-sized (1.5-2.3 metres long) herbivores, with a toothless dentary that was likely covered with a beak; small, conical, serrated teeth; and long limbs. They were likely facultative bipeds, and quite fast. Known from the southern United States, Brazil, Poland and Morocco.
- Archosauria incertae sedis; Smok wawelski, a Polish archosaur from the very end of the Triassic with features known from both theropods and pseudosuchians, as well as features not present in either groups, making its classification difficult. Potentially a biped resembling theropod dinosaurs (particularly herrerasaurids), measuring 5 to 6 metres in length. One of the largest predatory archosaurs during the late Triassic. Probably a theropod-convergent pseudosuchian.
- Sauria incertae sedis:
- Pantestudines:
- Sauropterygia (sauropterygians):
- Placodontiformes (placodontiforms):
- Placodontia (placodonts):
- Cyamodontoidea (cyamodontoids):
- Henodontidae (henodontids); Represented only by the species Henodus chelyops, it was a large, very turtle-like placodont about a yard in size, with a wide, flat shell, weak limbs and a square head. It did not have the shell-crushing capabilities of other placodonts, and remarkably seemed to be adapted for filter-feeding, making it the only known filter-feeding marine reptile. It lived in freshwater or brackish lagoons in Germany, Europe.
- Placochelyidae (placochelyids); Large, turtle-like placodonts, 1-2 metres long in size, with 1 or 2 piece shells. Characterised by having pointed, toothless jaws and having stronger legs than henodontids. Only known from southern Europe.
- Eosauropterygia (eosauropterygians):
- Nothosauroidae (nothosauroids):
- Nothosauria (nothosaurians); Small to large semi-aquatic reptiles, represented only by the genus Nothosaurus, they are the equivalent of today's seals. Ranging in size from 30 centimetres to 4 metres long, with a long neck, body and tail with paddle-like limbs and webbed toes. The head is broad and flat, with long jaws lined with needle-like teeth for trapping fish. Widespread throughout the Northern hemisphere, found in Europe, North Africa and Asia.
- Pistosauroidae (Pistosauroids); Intermediate forms between nothosauroids and plesiosaurians.
- Plesiosauria (plesiosaurians); Represented only by the pliosauroid Thalassiodracon hawkinsi, though it resembled plesiosauroids in having a long neck and small head (1/10 of its length, though this is large compared to later plesiosauroids), approximately 2 metres in length, known from England. The first member of the very succesful family plesiosauria, which will flourish in the later Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
- Chelonii (chelonians):
- Odontochelyidae (odontochelyids); Represented only by Odontochelys semitestacea, it is the oldest known species of turtle and differs grossly from modern ones. It had already begun developing the armour seen in turtles, but had only developed the plastron, it did not yet have the solid carapace that modern turtles have. Instead it just had broadened ribs, without the ossified plates that make up the carapace. Instead of a beak, it had teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. It lived in shallow marine waters close to shore. Roughly 30-40 cm long. Known from China.
- Testudinata (testudines):
- "Proganochelydia" ("proganochelydians"); Represented only by Proganochelys quenstedti and possibly Chinlechelys tenertesta. Their shells were already in modern form, with a plastron and carapace as well as a set of armour along the margins of the shell to protect the legs. Unlike modern turtles, the head and neck could not be retracted under the shell and so the neck was protected with spikes. In addition, the tail was fairly long and also had spikes. The jaws were toothless and likely had a beak, with denticles on the palate. Proganochelys was roughly 1 metre long, and is known from Germany and Thailand. Chinlechelys was smaller, with a 35 cm shell, and was unusual in having a complete but very thin shell, typically 1mm thick and only 3mm at its thickest.
- Casichelydia (casichelydians); Proterochersis has many standard pleurodire features, such as a fusion of the pelvis to the shell. However it is unrelated to pleurodires, and appears to be a case of parallel evolution. Roughly 50 cm, known from Europe.
- Australochelyidae (australochelyids); Small (~70 cm) terrestrial turtles with features closer to those of modern turtles, including fusion of braincase and palate, and partial enclosure of middle ear. Like proganochelydians, they have long tails and retain some palatal teeth. Known from South America with possible greater Gondwanan distribution.
- Choristodera (choristoderes, "champsosaurs"): Although no fossil record exists for Triassic choristoderes, they possess a very long ghost lineage extending back to this time. In general, choristoderes were semi-aquatic with broad, flattened bodies and long paddle shaped tails. However, their limbs did not appear to be part of a fin or flipper. Likely all predators of small fish.
- Diapsida incertae sedis:
- Longisquama insignis?; A small (10-15 cm long) lizard-like reptile, notable for the large, feather-like structures rising out from its back. These structures are very long, and shaped like a hockey stick, and are attached to the back. The exact function of these structures is unknown, some believed they were in a paired double-row, which could be used for gliding, though is believed to be incorrect. Some say the structures are early feathers and that Longisquama is an ancestor to birds, but this is regarded as incorrect as well. Known only from Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, it may or may not have been present in this time frame.
- Thalattosauria (thalattosaurs):
- Askeptosauroidae (askeptosauroids); Marine reptiles that resemble lizards with long, eel-like bodies with long, paddle shaped tails and webbed feet. Askeptosauroids are characterised by having longer necks and long, narrow, pointed heads. Most have small teeth, though one form (Edennasaurus acurtirostris) is toothless, with jaws more like a beak. They range from around c. 1-5 metres long. Found in Europe and Asia.
- Thalattosauroidae (thalattosauroids); Marine reptiles that resemble lizards with long, eel-like bodies with long, paddle shaped tails and webbed feet. Thalattosauroids are characterised by having shorter necks and their distinctive, down-turned snout tips, in some turned down nearly 90 degrees, forming a toothy hook. Some are toothless, such as Xinpusaurus, which has a notch in its upper jaw. They ranged from c. 1-2 metres long. Found in Europe, Asia and North America.
- Acallosuchus rectori; Known only from a damaged, fragmentary skull. The skull is small (~15 cm) and long and narrow, and the bones of the skull and jaw are lined with rows of bony knobs, with at least 23 teeth in the jaw that may have been small and were closely packed. Poor preservation precludes further identification, although it has been compared to proterochampsians and Revueltosaurus. From the Chinle of North America.
- Amniota incertae sedis:
- Kraterokheirodon colberti; Known only from two teeth so bizarre that literally no one has any clue what type of creature they belong too, and can only be identified as belonging to an amniote. Similarities to traversodont cynodonts have been noted, but the number of differences between them suggest they're possibly only convergences. Furthermore, the teeth belonged to a large animal, which makes the utter absence of possible postcrania even more puzzling. Known only from the Chinle in North America.
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