Linnsiasi

Linnsiasi is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Plesiosauria, specifically within the family Polycotylidae. The genus was first described in 2021 based on fossil remains discovered in the Late Cretaceous deposits of the Nanaimo Group in British Columbia, Canada. The holotype specimen, cataloged as RGM 7448, consists of a partial skeleton including skull fragments, vertebrae, and limb elements.

The name "Linnsiasi" honors Janice Linn, a paleontological preparator who significantly contributed to the excavation and preparation of the type specimen. The genus is characterized by a relatively short neck, a small head with numerous small teeth, and paddle-like limbs adapted for marine locomotion. Like other polycotylids, Linnsiasi was likely a fast-swimming predator, feeding on fish and other small marine organisms.

Fossil evidence suggests that Linnsiasi inhabited shallow, near-shore environments during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 75 million years ago. Its discovery adds to the understanding of the diversity and distribution of plesiosaurs in the Western Interior Seaway and contributes to the broader picture of marine ecosystems during the Mesozoic Era. Further research on the Linnsiasi fossils may reveal more about its specific adaptations, diet, and phylogenetic relationships within the Plesiosauria.