Leoniceno

Leoniceno is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Plesiosauria. These creatures lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 75 to 72 million years ago. Fossils attributed to Leoniceno have been discovered in the United States, primarily within the Western Interior Seaway.

Leoniceno is characterized by its relatively small size compared to some other plesiosaurs, with estimated lengths typically ranging from 3 to 5 meters. Like other plesiosaurs, it possessed a long neck, a broad body, and four flippers adapted for aquatic locomotion. The skull of Leoniceno was relatively short and broad, with a distinct set of teeth suited for grasping prey.

The exact phylogenetic placement of Leoniceno within the plesiosaur group is still a subject of ongoing scientific research. However, it is generally considered to be a member of the Elasmosauridae family, a diverse group of long-necked plesiosaurs. The discovery of Leoniceno contributes to our understanding of plesiosaur diversity and evolution in the Late Cretaceous oceans of North America. Further fossil discoveries are crucial for a more complete picture of this ancient marine reptile.