Simolestes vorax

Description:

A genus of Pliosaurid from the Mid-Late Jurassic Period. This particular species is the type species. Simolestes is known from few remains, the best being represented by a skull of S. vorax. This skull initially showed characteristics similar to members of the Rhomaleosauridae, such as the shortened snout, but this seems to have been due to the result of crushing of the premaxilla. Simolestes is now regarded as a Pliosaurid, closely related to Liopleurodon and Pliosaurus. It's size is estimated to be between 6-10 meters (19.6-33 feet) in length. S. vorax remains have been uncovered in the Oxford Clay Formation of England.