Cymbospondylus

Cymbospondylus was an ichthyosaur of the Triassic Period.

Description
Cymbospondylus was a large ichthyosaur, reaching lengths of 6 to 10 meters. It had no dorsal fin, much like Shonisaurus. Its flukeless tail made up half its body length and was used for swimming.

Classification
Cymbospondylus was originally considered to be a shastasaurid, but recent studies have found it to be a more basal ichthyosaur. There are eight known species in the genus.

History
Cymbospondylus was first described in 1868 by Joseph Leidy. However, it wasn't until the early 1900s that a complete skeleton was found. Fossils have been found in both in Germany and in the US state of Nevada.

Paleobiology
Cymbospondylus was a carnivore. Despite its fearsome appearance, Cymbospondylus would not have eaten larger animals. Its teeth were too small for this type of diet. Instead, it probably fed on fish, belemnites, and ammonites.

In popular culture
Cymbospondylus featured in Sea Monsters: A Walking with Dinosaurs Trilogy, where it was shown feeding on large prey unlike in real life.