What are phytosaurs?
Q: What are phytosaurs?
A: Phytosaurs are an extinct group of large semi-aquatic Upper Triassic archosaurs.
Q: How did phytosaurs look like?
A: Phytosaurs were long-snouted and heavily armoured, bearing a remarkable resemblance to modern crocodiles in size, appearance, and lifestyle.
Q: What does 'convergence or parallel evolution' mean in this context?
A: 'Convergence or parallel evolution' means that phytosaurs and modern crocodiles evolved similar features independently of each other.
Q: What does the name 'phytosaur' mean?
A: The name 'phytosaur' means 'plant reptile': the first fossils of phytosaurs were mistakenly thought to belong to plant eaters.
Q: Were phytosaurs plant eaters or predators?
A: The sharp teeth in phytosaur jaws clearly show they were predators.
Q: How closely related are phytosaurs to modern reptiles?
A: Although phytosaurs were not true crocodilians, they were more closely related to the crocodilians than to other modern reptiles.
Q: Where have phytosaur fossils been found?
A: Phytosaurs had a nearly global distribution. Fossils have been recovered from Europe, North America, India, Morocco, Thailand, Brazil and Madagascar.
