Macroplata

Taxobox
name = "Macroplata"
fossil_range = Early Jurassic

---

image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Macroplata tenuiceps" from the Early Jurassic of Europe
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
ordo = Plesiosauria
subordo = Pliosauroidea
familia = Rhomaleosauridae
genus = "Macroplata"
species = "M. tenuiceps"
binomial = "Macroplata tenuiceps"
binomial_authority = Swinton, 1930

"Macroplata" (mack-roh-PLAH-tah) is an extinct genus of Early Jurassic pliosaur, which grew up to 5 meters (15 ft) in length. Like other pliosaurs, "Macroplata" probably lived on a diet of fish, using its sharp needle-like teeth to catch prey. Its shoulder bones were fairly large, indicating a powerful forward stroke for fast swimming. "Macroplata" also had a relatively long neck, twice the length of the skull, in contrast to later pliosaurs.

Two species are currently included in this genus: "Macroplata tenuiceps", the type species, which lived during the Hettangian age (earliest Jurassic), and "Macroplata longirostris", which lived somewhat later, during the Toarcian. However, it is thought that "M. longirostris" may be a distinct form which should be placed in a separate genus Fact|date=May 2008.

External links

* [http://www.plesiosauria.com/macroplata.html Macroplata] - the Plesiosaur Directory