of neutral buoyancy allowed them to dive to reach shellfish. Other adaptations for protection besides the heavily armored shell include the strongly built rear of the skull and limbs that do not protrude too far. Although the reduction in limb length restricted its ability to swim, its heavy shell greatly assisted its ability to dive. Cyamodus is also expected to have had difficulty maneuvering on land and probably only ventured out of the water for periods of rest. Discovery of two fossil Cyamodus juveniles inside the stomach area of a Lariosaurus fossil has led to speculation about its vulnerability to predation. It has also been noted that juvenile specimens of Cyamodus have an extra tooth on the roof of their mouth, compared to adult specimens. This suggests that Cyamodus reduced the number of teeth as they grew to maturity. However, this could be due to a difference between species of Cyamodus. C. hildegardis from the Besano Formation (Middle Triassic) of the Alpine area of Switzerland and northern Italy has been reconstructed with a broad, laterally expanded main armor (carapace) and a separate smaller pelvic shield, giving it a sprawling appearance. A reexamination of the postcranial dermal armor and endoskeletal elements of the three best preserved articulated specimens of the species has led to new interpretations of the dermal armor and underlying postcranial bones, as well as a new life reconstruction. Placodonts are typically considered to be durophagous (adapted to crushing hard-shelled organisms). C.G. Diedrich has suggested that Cyamodus and other placodonts were algae-grazers. However, this interpretation has been criticized by Torsten M. Scheyer and other researchers, and many subsequent studies about placodonts have rejected Deidrich's interpretation, and the consensus that placodonts with the exception of Henodus were durophagous still continues to be strongly supported. References Placodonts Middle Triassic reptiles of Europe Anisian life Sauropterygian genera