Leptocleidus

Leptocleidus is an extinct genus of pliosaur, a group of marine reptiles that lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Fossils of Leptocleidus have been found in Europe, specifically in England, and date back to the Early Jurassic epoch. It was a relatively small pliosaur, with an estimated body length of around 3 meters. Its skull was long and narrow, equipped with numerous sharp, conical teeth, suggesting a diet of fish and other small marine animals.

The anatomy of Leptocleidus indicates it was a powerful swimmer, possessing four large flippers that would have propelled it through the water. Unlike some of its larger pliosaur relatives, Leptocleidus was likely an agile predator, capable of maneuvering in shallow waters. Its fossil remains are often found associated with coastal environments, further supporting this idea. The genus name Leptocleidus means "slender clavicle," referring to the structure of its shoulder girdle. It is considered a basal member of the pliosaurid family.