GSC 111 : Triassic Period GSC (3).docx

• School: University of Miami
• Department: Geological Sciences
• Course: GSC 111
• Professor: Glen Peterson

Document Summary

Represented by very few marine rocks (least marine rocks in na than any other period) Characteristic triassic rocks = red sandstone, mudstone, and non-marine shales [rsms] Big trees are mostly gymnosperms (gymnosperm = naked seeds ) [gym = big, sperm = **genus ceratites (ammonite cephalopod) shows characteristic ceratitic sutures patterns (smooth lobes and frilly saddles). Evolution of the frilly saddles is thought to be due to increased pressure on the shell, at greater depth. Belemnites: likely ancestors of the modern coleoids (looks similar to a small squid) [bell head] Marine reptiles appear (and remain common throughout the mesozoic) *nothosaur (paddle-like fins and probably shared the same niche as modern seals) *plesiosaurs (looks similar to the pok mon lugia) [ples play pok mon] **a pliosaur (group that appeared in the late triassic) *liopleurodon (one of the largest marine carnivores to ever live) [liopleurodon large] **thecodonts (direct ancestor of dinosaur) (most important group of pure reptiles)**