Plesiosaurus macrocephalus

Species

'Plesiosaurus' macrocephalus

Author

Owen 1838

Classification

Age

Early Jurassic, Sinemurian

Type location

Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK

Geological formation

Black Ven Marl Formation, Lower Lias.

Type specimen

NHMUK PV R 1336

Referred material

N/A

The holotype specimen (NHMUK PV R 1336) was first and last described by Owen, 1840. Plesiosaurus’ macrocephalus is probably a juvenile rhomaleosaurid, and certainly doesn’t belong to the genus Plesiosaurus. However, pending revision of the taxon and referral to a different or other existing genus, it is still named ‘Plesiosaurus‘, following Owen.