In Depth Mexichelys was originally described as a species of Euclastes, but was re-described to its own genus in 2010. Like relative genera, Mexichelys is thought to have been a durophagous carnivore of shelled organisms such as molluscs and crustaceans. Further Reading - Euclastes coahuilaensis sp. nov., a basal cheloniid turtle from the late Campanian … Read more
In Depth Toxochelys is a genus of sea turtle that lived during the late Cretaceous, and is also one of the most common sea turtles that lived in the Western Interior Sea Way, a shallow sea that once submerged the central portion of the North American Continent. As a genus, Toxochelys seems to be in-between … Read more
In Depth Pacifichelys is a genus of sea turtle that lived along the coastlines of Peru and California during the mid Miocene. The morphology of the skull suggests that Pacifichelys fed upon hard shelled organisms such as shelled molluscs and crustaceans. A former species of Euclastes, E. hutchisoni, has now been renamed as a species … Read more
In Depth Calcarichelys was a relatively small late Cretaceous turtle but one with a highly specialised shell. Instead of the usual concave curve across the back, a series of enlarged spikes ran down the middle of the back. These are taken as being almost certainly a defensive adaptation to make it more difficult for predators … Read more
In Depth Protostega is one of the largest turtles to ever swim in the ocean and so far is only eclipsed by Archelon in terms of overall size. Like with Archelon, Protostega is thought to have had a ‘soft’ shell similar to the modern leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Also like with Archelon, Protostega is thought … Read more
In Depth Chelosphargis was originally named as species of Protostega in 1906 by Oliver Perry Hay. However the description of Calcarichelys in 1953 led a later palaeontologist, Rainer Zangerl to conclude that P. advena should be reclassified as a distinct genus. Chelosphargis is regarded as being almost identical to Calcarichelys, a turtle with a series … Read more
In Depth Khunnuchelys is a genus of turtle that seems to have been widespread across Asia during the Late Cretaeous. However, at the time of writing Khunnuchelys is only known from partial skull material. Further Reading - Khunnuchelys gen. nov., a new trionychid (Testudines: Trionychidae) from the Late Cretaceous of Inner Mongolia and Uzbekistan. - … Read more
In Depth Itilochelys is a genus of turtle that lived in the waters over what is now Russia during the Palaeocene. Further Reading – Itilochelys rasstrigin gen. et sp. nov., a new hard-shelled sea turtle (Cheloniidae sensu lato) from the Lower Palaeocene of Volgograd Province, Russia. – Proceedings of the Zoological Institute RSA 314(1):24-41. – … Read more
In Depth Gamerabaena is a genus of baenid turtle that lived in North America towards the end of the Cretaceous period. Gamerabaena is named after the fictional kaiju Gamera, a gigantic turtle-like monster that has featured in a whole series of Japanese monster films in a similar fashion as Godzilla. Further Reading - A new … Read more
In Depth When first described from fossil skulls, Meiolania was first thought to have been a lizard, hence the name which means ‘small roamer’. This is a reflection to the earlier description of Megalania (today known as Varanus priscus) which means great roamer and was also named by Owen in 1859. In time however it … Read more