lisate

Lisate is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Plesiosauria. These creatures lived during the Early Jurassic period, approximately 190 to 175 million years ago. Fossils of lisate have been found primarily in Europe, particularly in Germany. They were characterized by their long necks, small heads, and paddle-like limbs, typical of plesiosaurs.

The exact placement of lisate within the plesiosaurian classification has been a subject of scientific discussion. Some studies suggest it may be a basal member of the pliosauromorphs, a group that includes more robust, short-necked plesiosaurs, while others place it closer to the long-necked plesiosauromorphs. The limited fossil material available for lisate has contributed to the ongoing debate regarding its phylogenetic relationships.

Lisate represents an important find for understanding the diversity and evolution of plesiosaurs during the Early Jurassic. Its existence highlights the adaptive radiation of these marine reptiles following the Triassic-Palaeozoic extinction event. Further discoveries of more complete fossil specimens would undoubtedly shed more light on the anatomy, lifestyle, and evolutionary history of this fascinating prehistoric marine reptile.