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Ichthyosanrs,especially post-Triassic forms,were successfully adapted to life in marine environment.Although research on ichthyosaurs dates back to the 18th century,Triassic ichthyosaurs had been poorly known due to the fragmentary nature of the materials and their relative scarcity untilthe 20th century.During the last decade,South China has yielded abundant Triassic materials from a broad stratigraphic range spanning from the Olenekian(Early Triassic)to the Camian(Late Triassic).Over five species of ichthyosaurs have been reported including at least two species with close affinity to Shastasauridac,contributing to our understanding of the evolution and geographic distribution of ichthyosaurs during the Triassic.