New information on the anatomy and systematics of the Spanish Lower Cretaceous Camerochelys vilanovai, Testudines, Pan-Cryptodira
- Adán Pérez García 1
- F. R. Sáez Benito
- Xabier Murelaga 2
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1
Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia
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2
Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
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Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
Lejona, España
ISSN: 1886-7995, 1698-6180
Year of publication: 2017
Volume: 43
Issue: 2
Pages: 147-154
Type: Article
More publications in: Journal of iberian geology: an international publication of earth sciences
Abstract
Purpose Camerochelys vilanovai is a Spanish Lower Cretaceous pan-cryptodiran turtle. Although it was defined by several specimens, the fragmentary state of these plates and partial shells only provided poor information about the anatomy and systematics of this taxon. Methods new specimen of C. vilanovai, from the type area and horizon (the Enciso Group, in La Rioja), is presented and analyzed here. It corresponds to a relatively complete and articulated shell. Results Several characters hitherto unknown for C. vilanovai are described. In addition, some characters previously considered in the diagnosis of this form are reinterpreted, and the known range of intraspecific variability is expanded. Therefore, the diagnosis of C. vilanovai is amended. Conclusion Camerochelys vilanovai is recognized as a taxon closely related to the European members of Xinjiangchelyidae (i.e. Brodiechelys brodiei, Brodiechelys royoi and Larachelus morla), the new character states recognized here being compared with those present in these taxa.