Teneriffae

Teneriffae is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Plesiosauria. Fossils of this genus have been found in the Late Cretaceous rocks of the island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, Spain. The type species, T. aphylla, was first described by German paleontologist Friedrich von Huene in 1932.

Teneriffae is characterized by its long neck, powerful tail, and small, paddle-like limbs. It is believed to have been an apex predator in its marine environment, preying on a variety of marine reptiles and fish. The genus name "Teneriffae" is derived from the island of Tenerife, where the fossils were discovered, while the species name "aphylla" means "without leaves," referring to the lack of leaf-like structures on the vertebrae of the holotype specimen.

The holotype specimen of T. aphylla consists of a partial skeleton, including the skull, vertebrae, ribs, and parts of the limbs. This specimen is housed in the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt, Germany. Additional fossils of Teneriffae have been found in the same region, providing more insights into the anatomy and ecology of this genus.

The discovery of Teneriffae has contributed to our understanding of the diversity and evolution of plesiosaurs during the Late Cretaceous period. Its unique features, such as the lack of leaf-like structures on the vertebrae, have led to ongoing research and debate among paleontologists. Teneriffae represents an important link between earlier plesiosaurs and the more derived forms that appeared later in the Mesozoic era.