Rakutestias

Rakutestias is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Plesiosauria. These marine reptiles lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 85 to 75 million years ago. Fossil evidence of Rakutestias has been found primarily in what is now the United States, specifically in the Western Interior Seaway.

The genus Rakutestias is characterized by its relatively small size compared to some of the larger pliosaurs and plesiosaurs. Members of this genus typically possessed a long neck, a broad body, and four flipper-like limbs adapted for swimming. Their diet likely consisted of fish and other small marine organisms, which they would have hunted in the shallow seas of the Cretaceous.

While the exact phylogenetic relationships of Rakutestias within Plesiosauria are still debated by paleontologists, it is generally considered to be part of the polycotylid family. Polycotylids are known for their shorter necks and more streamlined bodies, which suggests they were agile swimmers capable of pursuing prey. Rakutestias specimens contribute to our understanding of the diversity and evolution of plesiosaurs in North America during the Mesozoic Era. The limited fossil record means that research on this genus is ongoing, with new discoveries potentially refining our knowledge of its anatomy, behavior, and ecological role.