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.68" Fossil Polycotylid Plesiosaur (Thililua?) Tooth - Asfla Morocco
This is a rare plesiosaur tooth from the Upper Cretaceous Akrabou Formation near Asfla, Goulmima, Morocco. The tooth may belong to the Polycotylid plesiosaur species, Thililua longicollis, one of two olycotylid plesiosaurs described from this area (Thililua longicollis & Manemergus anguirostris). It's .68" in length and has beautiful striations running down the basal half of the tooth. The tooth has been exposed from the rock it was found in.
Polycotylid plesiosaurs are a family of short-necked plesiosaurs that resemble and may be closely related to pliosaurs. There is a recognized pliosaur whose teeth are found in this area and look similar.
Polycotylid plesiosaurs are a family of short-necked plesiosaurs that resemble and may be closely related to pliosaurs. There is a recognized pliosaur whose teeth are found in this area and look similar.
About Plesiosaurs
Plesiosaurs were a diverse group of marine reptiles that lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, thriving in Earth’s oceans for more than 135 million years. Although they lived alongside dinosaurs, plesiosaurs were not dinosaurs; instead, they were fully aquatic reptiles adapted for life in open water. Their most recognizable features included broad, streamlined bodies, four powerful flippers used for underwater “flight,” and a wide range of neck lengths. Fossils of plesiosaurs have been found on every continent, including Antarctica, showing that they inhabited oceans across the globe.
This group included two main body types that filled very different ecological roles. Long-necked plesiosaurs had small heads and slender teeth suited for catching fish and squid, likely relying on stealth and precise strikes. Short-necked plesiosaurs, known as pliosaurs, evolved massive skulls and powerful jaws and became apex predators capable of hunting large prey, including other marine reptiles. Together, these forms made plesiosaurs one of the most successful and adaptable marine reptile groups in Earth’s history, dominating prehistoric seas until their extinction at the end of the Cretaceous.
Plesiosaurs were a diverse group of marine reptiles that lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, thriving in Earth’s oceans for more than 135 million years. Although they lived alongside dinosaurs, plesiosaurs were not dinosaurs; instead, they were fully aquatic reptiles adapted for life in open water. Their most recognizable features included broad, streamlined bodies, four powerful flippers used for underwater “flight,” and a wide range of neck lengths. Fossils of plesiosaurs have been found on every continent, including Antarctica, showing that they inhabited oceans across the globe.
This group included two main body types that filled very different ecological roles. Long-necked plesiosaurs had small heads and slender teeth suited for catching fish and squid, likely relying on stealth and precise strikes. Short-necked plesiosaurs, known as pliosaurs, evolved massive skulls and powerful jaws and became apex predators capable of hunting large prey, including other marine reptiles. Together, these forms made plesiosaurs one of the most successful and adaptable marine reptile groups in Earth’s history, dominating prehistoric seas until their extinction at the end of the Cretaceous.
SPECIES
Thililua longicollis?
LOCATION
Asfla, Goulmima, Morocco
FORMATION
Akrabou Formation
SIZE
Tooth: .68" long, Entire Specimen: 4.1 x 2.2"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#252346
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