Tilokassa

Tilokassa is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Plesiosauria. These creatures lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 80 to 70 million years ago. Fossils attributed to Tilokassa have been discovered in the United States, primarily in the Western Interior Seaway.

The genus Tilokassa is characterized by certain features of its skull and teeth, which distinguish it from other pliosaurids, a group of short-necked plesiosaurs. Specifically, the morphology of the skull, including the presence of fused premaxillae and the arrangement of teeth, are key diagnostic traits. Tilokassa is believed to have been a predatory marine reptile, likely feeding on fish and other marine life. Its exact size is difficult to determine due to the often fragmentary nature of the fossil remains, but it is considered to have been a medium-sized pliosaurid.

The classification of Tilokassa within Plesiosauria has undergone some revision. Initially, it was placed within the Pliosauridae family. However, ongoing research and the discovery of new specimens have led to debates and potential reclassifications, with some scientists suggesting it might represent a distinct lineage or be closely related to other groups. The limited fossil evidence available for Tilokassa presents challenges for a complete understanding of its evolutionary relationships and ecological role.