A new late Aptian elasmosaurid from the Paja Formation, Villa de Leiva, Colombia

A new genus and species of elasmosaurid, Leivanectes bernardoi gen. et sp. nov., from the upper Aptian levels of the Paja Formation of Villa de Leiva (Boyacá, Colombia) is described. The new elasmosaurid is characterized by a short mandibular symphysis, bears only three alveoli (there are five in Callawayasaurus colombiensis), has an enlarged premaxillary alveoli, and has a mandible that includes only seven alveoli in each ramus anterior to the orbit (there are 11 in Callawayasaurus colombiensis). This new elasmosaurid taxon has fewer and larger alveoli than any other presently described elasmosaurid taxon. The observed differences indicate that the new species consumed larger-bodied prey than did other elasmosaurids. The new taxon suggests that the elasmosaurids were diverse in the Colombian late Aptian sea.