Keeletopsis

Keeletopsis is a genus of extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 230 to 200 million years ago. The genus is known from a single species, Keeletopsis clevelandi, which was discovered in the United States. Keeletopsis is notable for its unique combination of features, including a long, narrow skull, a long neck, and a long tail. The skull of Keeletopsis is characterized by a long, narrow rostrum (snout) and a series of small, tooth-like structures on the palate. The neck of Keeletopsis is relatively long, and the tail is also elongated, which suggests that the animal may have been a semi-aquatic predator. The exact lifestyle and ecology of Keeletopsis remain uncertain, but its unique features suggest that it may have been a specialized predator adapted to a specific niche in its ecosystem. Keeletopsis is an important fossil because it provides insight into the diversity of marine reptiles during the Triassic period and the evolution of marine ecosystems.