Diplodocus

# Evolutionary Timeline of Diplodocus Diplodocus, a long-necked sauropod dinosaur, evolved during the Mesozoic Era, shaped by environmental pressures such as lush, fern-filled forests, competition for vegetation, and predation from theropods. Its ancestors transitioned from smaller, bipedal forms to massive quadrupeds, adapting to exploit high browsing niches. Key milestones include: - **Late Triassic ( ~230-200 Ma)**: Emergence of Sauropodomorpha from early dinosaurs like Herrerasaurus, with prosauropods like Plateosaurus developing longer necks for feeding. - **Early Jurassic ( ~200-174 Ma)**: Rise of true Sauropoda, such as Vulcanodon, evolving large body sizes amid warming climates and expanding forests. - **Middle Jurassic ( ~174-163 Ma)**: Diversification of diplodocoids, with ancestors like Cetiosaurus adapting to seasonal droughts and conifer dominance. - **Late Jurassic ( ~163-145 Ma)**: Appearance of Diplodocus in North America, featuring extreme neck elongation and whip-like tails, driven by resource competition in floodplains. These transitions highlight adaptations to herbivory and gigantism under selective pressures from climate and ecosystems.