The Jurassic period is the second geological period of the Mesozoic era. In this period, the gymnosperms were dominant and the plants included ferns, cycads, Ginkgo, rushes and conifers; among animals, important invertebrates included ammonites, corals, brachiopods, bivalves and echinoids. Reptiles dominated the vertebrates and the first flying reptile, the pterosaurs appeared. The first primitive bird Archaeopteryx also made its appearance.