Trialestes is an extinct group of reptiles that lived during the Late Triassic period, around 235 to 221 million years ago. These creatures were found in what is now South America.
Trialestes was once thought to be a type of dinosaur because it had features that made it look like it was a running meat-eater. However, it actually belongs to a group closely related to modern crocodiles, known as crocodylomorphs.
The first known remains of a Trialestes were discovered in Argentina, specifically in a place called the Ischigualasto Formation. This discovery helped scientists understand its true classification.
The type species, or main type of Trialestes, is known as Trialestes romeri. This species was named in 1963.
Scientists have studied Trialestes closely and have found unique features that confirm it is more related to crocodiles than to dinosaurs. Some bones that were related to it were once considered dinosaur bones, but further studies clarified that Trialestes is clearly in the crocodylomorph family.
In summary, Trialestes is an important piece of the puzzle for understanding the evolution of reptiles during the late Triassic period in South America.