Nuclidens

Nuclidens is a genus of extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 99 to 94 million years ago. The genus is known from several well-preserved fossils found in Europe, particularly in Germany and France. Nuclidens is characterized by its elongated, snake-like body, which is typical of mosasaurs, a group of marine lizards. The most distinctive feature of Nuclidens is its unique skull structure, which includes a large, toothless rostrum (snout) and a series of small, sharp teeth located behind the rostrum.

The genus Nuclidens includes several species, with the most well-known being Nuclidens dongusensis, which was named after the Dongus Formation in Germany where its fossils were first discovered. Other species include Nuclidens brevirostris and Nuclidens longirostris, both of which are known from fossils found in France. These species vary in the length and shape of their rostra, as well as the number and arrangement of their teeth.

Nuclidens is an important genus in the study of mosasaur evolution and diversity. Its unique skull structure and the presence of small, sharp teeth behind the rostrum suggest that it may have had a specialized feeding strategy, possibly preying on small, fast-moving prey. The discovery of Nuclidens fossils has also provided valuable insights into the ecology and behavior of Late Cretaceous marine ecosystems.