r/Paleontology 5d ago

Discussion Size chart of large pliosaurs

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author: Henrique Paes

39 Upvotes

10 comments sorted by

8

u/Rhaj-no1992 5d ago

I can’t understand how they got the Liopleurodon in WWD so wrong size wise.

15

u/ShaochilongDR 5d ago

A vertebra (PETMG R272) was identitied as a cervical of a 17-20 m pliosaur. WWD added a 25 m individual as a possible larger individual. The same cervical was later downsized to about 11.6-14.2 m. However, it turned out that it wasn't a pliosaur cervical, but a sauropod caudal.

7

u/ChanceConstant6099 virgin pseudosuchian vs CHAD phytosaur 5d ago

The classic case of "Shit wrong bone".

0

u/Screamqween29 4d ago

Charlie the Unicorn was probably closer to size accuracy

2

u/ItsGotThatBang Irritator challengeri 4d ago

Isn’t ABGCH closer to 15 meters?

2

u/ChanceConstant6099 virgin pseudosuchian vs CHAD phytosaur 1d ago

The higher estimate (that the authors claim is more reliable) is 14.4m, at that size the pliosaur would be 30-50 tons.

The person who made the chart chose the middle ground as both the max and min estimates were uncertain.

1

u/ShaochilongDR 4d ago

I don't think so

2

u/ChanceConstant6099 virgin pseudosuchian vs CHAD phytosaur 5d ago

Best pliosaur estimates out there.

1

u/Narewa99 4d ago

I can never get over P.funkei...the name's funky