Macroplata

Macroplata (meaning "big plate") is a genus of Early Jurassic basal plesiosaur which grew up to 4.5 metres (15 ft) in length. Like other plesiosaurs, 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 pliosaurs.[2]

Plesiosaurus longirostris was once assigned to this genus, but it has been re-assigned to Hauffiosaurus, as H. longirostris.[3]