Saurischia

Saurischia is an evolutionary branch of the order of dinosaurs that flourished during the Mesozoic Era, roughly 250 million years ago. It is composed of two groups, Sauropodomorpha, which includes the giant sauropods, and Theropoda, including the carnivorous and bird-like theropods. These dinosaurs played a major role in the diversification of terrestrial life and in evolutionary processes, as well as making a major contribution to the structure of the global ecological system. Today, saurischians are studied for their importance in understanding the evolution of modern-day birds, their interactions with the environment, and their impact on the global climate. Furthermore, they are the source of much research in determining the origin and relationships of modern-day taxa. They also serve as a resource for paleontologists and zoologists in understanding the history of life.