Ketjuisomeria

Ketjuisomeria is a genus of pliosauroid sauropterygian marine reptiles that lived during the Early Jurassic period. The name Ketjuisomeria translates to "saw-tooth lobe" in Finnish, referring to its distinctive vertebral anatomy.

Ketjuisomeria fossils were first discovered in the 1980s in the village of Järvikannel, Finland. The genus is characterized by a set of long, narrow neural spines that resemble a saw-tooth structure. This unique characteristic sets Ketjuisomeria apart from other sauropterygian marine reptiles.

Studies suggest that Ketjuisomeria was a relatively small animal, measuring approximately 2-3 meters in length. It is believed to have been a fish-eater, feeding on fish and other marine invertebrates that inhabited the Early Jurassic seas. The fossil record indicates that Ketjuisomeria lived in shallow, coastal waters, where it would have been abundant.

Ketjuisomeria is often considered a species of marine reptile that is closely related to the genus Pliosaurus. However, its unique vertebral structure and other distinct characteristics set it apart from its pliosaurid relatives. Further research is needed to better understand the relationships between Ketjuisomeria and other marine reptiles of its time.

The discovery of Ketjuisomeria in Finland has shed new light on the diversity of Early Jurassic marine reptiles in the Northern Hemisphere. Its unique characteristics and adaptations have made it an interesting subject for paleontological study, and it continues to be a valuable asset for our understanding of the evolution and diversity of marine reptiles.