keelebarärid

Keelebarärid is a genus of extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Triassic period. The discovery of this genus was first reported in 2017 from theprm Svärdsjö sandstone deposit in central Sweden. Initial findings suggested that Keelebarärid fossils were characterized by a distinctive combination of skull and dental features.

Phylogenetic analysis of the available material indicated that Keelebarärid was a member of the Thalattosuchia clade, a group of marine reptiles that evolved during the Early Triassic. The Keelebarärid species was estimated to be around 15-20 meters in length, making it a relatively large thalattosaurid. The discovery of Keelebarärid provided new insights into the Triassic marine faunas of the Northern Hemisphere and highlighted the diversity of marine reptile populations at that time.

The Keelebarärid fossils were documented in limited numbers, with only a few incomplete specimens available for study. The skull and jaw structure of Keelebarärid are notable for their unique characteristics, which include the presence of large canines and overall tooth morphology. The teeth of Keelebarärid were conical in shape with small anterior denticles, contributing to its distinctive dental signature.

Research on Keelebarärid is ongoing, and further analysis may ultimately lead to the recognition of more than one species within the genus. Nonetheless, the available evidence positions Keelebarärid as an interesting example of a thalattosuchian, underscoring the complexity of fossilized marine life in the Early Triassic period.