Kangastes

Kangastes is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Plesiosauria. These creatures lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 66 million years ago. Fossil evidence suggests that kangastes inhabited the waters of what is now Antarctica.

The anatomy of kangastes indicates it was a relatively small pliosaur, a group of plesiosaurs characterized by their short necks and large heads. Its skeletal remains, though not extensively preserved, suggest a streamlined body adapted for aquatic life. The teeth found in association with kangastes fossils are sharp and conical, indicating a diet of fish and possibly other small marine animals.

The discovery of kangastes has contributed to our understanding of the diversity of marine reptiles in the Southern Hemisphere during the Mesozoic Era. Its presence in Antarctic fossil sites highlights the presence of a more temperate climate in polar regions during the Cretaceous and the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems across the globe. Further research on the limited fossil material continues to shed light on the evolutionary history and ecological role of this ancient reptile.