In a testament to our understanding of evolution, archosaurs emerged around 255 million years ago, eventually giving rise to dinosaurs about 230 million years ago. Bridging this gap, the dinosauromorphs – a transitional group between archosaurs and dinosaurs – evolved approximately 245 million years ago.
One notable early dinosauromorph is Asilisaurus kongwe, found in present-day Tanzania. Exhibiting characteristics intermediate between archosaurs and dinosaurs, Asilisaurus provides crucial insights into the evolutionary steps leading to the rise of dinosaurs.
Phylum: Chordata > Class: Reptilia > Order: Saurischia (Clade: Dinosauria)
Evolution: Amphibians > Amniotes > Early Reptiles > Dinosauriform