keeleorus

Keeleorus is a genus of small, extinct diapsid reptile that lived during the Late Triassic period in what is now western North America. The genus is known from a handful of fragmentary fossils, including a partial skull, jaw elements, several vertebrae, and limb bones. Based on the preserved material, Keeleorus is estimated to have reached about 0.5 meters in length, with a slender build and an elongated snout equipped with sharp, conical teeth.

Discovery and naming: The fossils were found during a 1996–1997 field survey in desert exposures later assigned to the Keele Formation. The genus Keeleorus and the type species Keeleorus borealis were formally described in 1999 by paleontologist L. Hart. The name combines Keele, in honor of the field team’s lead geologist, with -orus, a common suffix for reptile genera; borealis refers to the northern location of the fossils.

Description: Keeleorus shows adaptations typical of small-bodied archosauromorph reptiles, including grasping hands and a moderately stiff tail. The skull features a shallow snout and positioned orbits, with teeth suited for generalist carnivory and insectivory.

Palaeoecology: The available remains suggest Keeleorus inhabited arid to semiarid floodplains, likely feeding on small vertebrates and invertebrates. Its co-occurring fauna indicates a diverse Triassic ecosystem with early dinosaurs, other reptile groups, and a variety of invertebrates.

Significance: Keeleorus contributes to the understanding of early archosauromorph diversification in Late Triassic ecosystems and helps fill gaps in regional faunal assemblages.