ScienceAugust 15, 2026

pliosaur

PLY-uh-sor

Definition

A large, extinct marine reptile from the Mesozoic Era characterized by a short neck and a massive, powerful head with sharp, protruding teeth.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'pleion' meaning 'more' and 'sauros' meaning 'lizard,' the term was coined in the 19th century to describe these specific marine reptiles.

In the news

The word refers to a massive marine reptile specimen recently discovered on England’s Jurassic coast, noted for its uniquely impressive teeth that required careful reattachment during fossil preparation.

How To Fake A Fossil: We Asked Palaeontologists How They'd Do It, And Yes, They Told Us

Read the full article ↗

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