Peracelya

Peracelya is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Plesiosauria. These creatures lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 100 to 66 million years ago. Peracelya fossils have been discovered in various parts of the world, most notably in Europe and North America. They are characterized by their relatively small size compared to some other plesiosaurs, and distinct vertebral morphology.

The classification of Peracelya within Plesiosauria places it among the pliosaurids, a group of plesiosaurs known for their short necks and large heads. However, some features of Peracelya suggest a more basal position or a unique evolutionary path within the pliosaur clade. The exact phylogenetic relationships are still a subject of ongoing research and debate among paleontologists.

Fossil evidence indicates that Peracelya possessed a streamlined body, four powerful flippers for propulsion, and a long tail. Their diet likely consisted of fish and other marine organisms, based on their dentition and the fossilized stomach contents found in some related species. The discovery of Peracelya contributes to our understanding of the diversity and evolution of marine reptiles during the Mesozoic Era, a time when they dominated the oceans.