Cottiaes

Cottiaes is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Plesiosauria. These animals lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 66 million years ago. The genus was first described by paleontologist Mary Anning in 1824, who discovered the type specimen in Lyme Regis, England. Fossils attributed to Cottiaes have primarily been found in Europe.

The anatomy of Cottiaes is characteristic of plesiosaurs, with a long neck, a broad, flattened body, and four paddle-like limbs adapted for aquatic locomotion. While detailed skeletal information for all species within the genus is not always complete, available evidence suggests a predatory lifestyle, likely feeding on fish and other marine organisms. The exact phylogenetic placement of Cottiaes within Plesiosauria is subject to ongoing research, but it is generally considered to be within the suborder Pliosauroidea, which are characterized by their shorter necks and larger heads compared to pliosaurs. However, some classifications place it differently. Further discoveries and re-evaluation of existing fossil material are crucial for a more precise understanding of its evolutionary relationships and ecological role.