Veroetuilla

Veroetuilla is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Notosauria, which includes both marine and freshwater forms. It is known from the Late Cretaceous period, around 70 million years ago, in what is now Europe. The type species, Veroetuilla bambergi, was first described in 2007 based on fossils found in the Solnhofen Limestone of Germany.

Veroetuilla is characterized by its elongated body, with a long, flat tail and short, powerful limbs adapted for swimming. The skull of Veroetuilla is relatively small and narrow, with a long, slender snout. The teeth are conical and serrated, suggesting a carnivorous diet. Unlike many other notosaurs, Veroetuilla does not have a distinctive sail or crest on its back.

The fossil record of Veroetuilla is limited to a few isolated bones and teeth, making it difficult to reconstruct its appearance and ecology with certainty. However, its notosaurian affinities and the environment in which it lived suggest that it was likely an aquatic predator, preying on fish and other small marine animals.

The genus name Veroetuilla is derived from the Latin words "verus" meaning true, and "etulla" meaning little, referring to the small size of the type species. The specific name bambergi honors the German paleontologist Hans-Dieter Sues, who has made significant contributions to the study of notosaurs.

Veroetuilla is one of several notosaurs known from the Solnhofen Limestone, which has yielded a diverse assemblage of marine reptiles, fish, and invertebrates. The fossils from this location provide valuable insights into the marine ecosystems of the Late Cretaceous period. Further research and the discovery of new fossils may help to shed more light on the biology and ecology of Veroetuilla and other notosaurs.