plesiosaurus
/'pli:siə'sɔ:rai/
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Definition
- Noun:
- An extinct marine reptile: A plesiosaurus is a type of prehistoric reptile that lived in the ocean. It is characterized by a very long neck, a small head, a short tail, and four large, paddle-shaped limbs used for swimming. It existed during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The museum's fossil exhibit features the skeleton of a plesiosaurus.
- Scientists believe the plesiosaurus was a carnivore that hunted fish and other marine creatures.
- The long neck of the plesiosaurus distinguishes it from other marine reptiles like the ichthyosaurus.
Advanced Usage
- In paleontological context: The term is used to describe a member of the broader order Plesiosauria.
- The discovery of a new plesiosaurus species has provided insights into marine ecosystems of the Cretaceous period.
Variants and Related Words
- Plesiosaur (n): This is a more general term for any member of the order Plesiosauria, which includes both long-necked (plesiosauroids) and short-necked (pliosaurs) forms. "Plesiosaurus" is a specific genus within this order.
- Plesiosaurs were among the top predators in Mesozoic seas.
- Plesiosaurian (adj): Relating to or characteristic of plesiosaurs.
- The plesiosaurian fossils were remarkably well-preserved.
Synonyms
- Marine reptile: A general term for reptiles that lived in the ocean, such as ichthyosaurs, mosasaurs, and plesiosaurs.
- Sauropterygian: A member of the superorder Sauropterygia, which includes plesiosaurs and their relatives.
Related Phrases
- Plesiosaurus fossil: The preserved remains or impression of a plesiosaurus.
- The plesiosaurus fossil was embedded in the cliff face.
- Plesiosaurus skeleton: The bony structure of a plesiosaurus.
- The complete plesiosaurus skeleton is over five meters long.
Noun
- extinct marine reptile with a small head on a long neck a short tail and four paddle-shaped limbs; of the Jurassic and Cretaceous