Phytosaurs are an
extinct group of large
semi-aquatic Late Triassic archosauriform reptiles. Phytosaurs belong to the
family Phytosauridae and the
order Phytosauria. Phytosauria and Phytosauridae are often considered to be equivalent groupings containing the same species, but some studies have identified non-phytosaurid phytosaurians. Phytosaurs were long-snouted and heavily armoured, bearing a remarkable resemblance to modern
crocodilians in size, appearance, and lifestyle, as an example of
convergence or
parallel evolution. The name "phytosaur" means "plant reptile", as the first fossils of phytosaurs were mistakenly thought to belong to plant eaters. The name is misleading because the sharp teeth in phytosaur jaws clearly show that they were
predators.
