Calcarichelys Explained

Calcarichelys ('spur turtle' or 'thorn turtle')[1] is an extinct genus of protostegid turtle from the Late Cretaceous of the Selma Formation in Alabama, and possibly from Angola.[2] [3] [4] It contains only one species, C. gemma.[5]

Discovery

The holotype specimen of Calcarichelys is known from Mooreville Chalk, Alabama. More complete specimens are later described from same formation. Another specimen that possibly belongs to Calcarichelys or related species is known from the Maastrichtian of Bentiaba, Angola.

Description

Calcarichelys is a small protostegid, with a carapace length of . It is probably closely related to Chelosphargis, as they share some characteristics. Unlike Chelosphargis, Calcarichelys is characterized by thorn-like neural plates.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Zangerl, Rainer . The vertebrate fauna of the Selma Formation of Alabama . Museum . Chicago Natural History . 1953 . Chicago Natural History Museum . [Chicago, Ill.].
  2. Web site: Mindat.org . 2022-04-22 . www.mindat.org.
  3. Hooks . G. E. . 1998-04-10 . Systematic revision of the Protostegidae, with a redescription of Calcarichelys gemma Zangerl, 1953 . Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology . 18 . 1 . 85–98 . 10.1080/02724634.1998.10011036 . 0272-4634.
  4. Mateus . Octávio . Polcyn . Michael . Jacobs . Louis . Araujo . Ricardo . Schulp . A. . Marinheiro . João . Pereira . Bruno . Vineyard . Diana . 2012-01-01 . Cretaceous amniotes from Angola: dinosaurs, pterosaurs, mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, and turtles . V Jornadas Internacionales sobre Paleontolog'ia de Dinosaurios y su Entorno.
  5. Web site: Calcarichelys - Encyclopedia of Life . 2022-04-22 . eol.org.

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