Pliosaurus

Taxobox
name = Pliosaurus

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image_caption =
fossil_range = Fossil range|155.7|150.8|PS=Kimmeridgian
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
superordo = Sauropterygia
ordo = Plesiosauria
subordo = Pliosauroidea
familia = Pliosauridae
genus = "Pliosaurus"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
*"P. brachydeirus" (Owen, 1840) (type)
*"P. macromerus" Philips, 1871
*"P. portentificus" Noè et al., 2004
synonyms ="Stretosaurus"

"Pliosaurus" is a genus of extinct marine reptiles, from the Mesozoic era. It is included in the family Pliosauridae. It was a large predatory reptile and its diet would have included fishes, squids and other marine reptiles. This genus has contained several species in the past but it currently consists of the type species "P. brachydeirus", "P. macromerus" and "P. portentificus".Noè, L. F., Smith, D. T. J. & Walton, D. I. (2004). "A new species of Kimmeridgian pliosaur (Reptilia; Sauropterygia) and its bearing on the nomenclature of Liopleurodon macromerus". Proceedings of the Geologists' Association 115, 13-24.]

Discovery and species

Currently there are three recognised species of "Pliosaurus", all known from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation of England.

"Pliosaurus brachydeirus" is known from the Kimmeridgian of England.

"Pliosaurus macromerus" is known from the Kimmeridgian of England.

"Pliosaurus portentificus" is known from the late Kimmeridgian of England.

References

Websites

* http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSL2771508220080227?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0
* http://www.norway.org/restech/researchnews/pliosaurus.htm
* http://www.nhm.uio.no/pliosaurus/index.html