A new pelomedusoid turtle, Sahonachelys mailakavava, from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar provides evidence for convergent evolution of specialized suction feeding among pleurodires. Issue 5 (5th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Joyce, Walter G.; Rollot, Yann; Evers, Serjoscha W.; Lyson, Tyler R.; Rahantarisoa, Lydia J.; Krause, David W.
• Is Part Of: Royal Society open science. Volume 8:Issue 5(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-05
• Subjects: Late Cretaceous -- Maastrichtian -- Maevarano Formation -- Testudines -- Pleurodira -- Sahonachelyidae; Science -- Periodicals; 500
• DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210098
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2054-5703

Abstract

Abstract : The Maevarano Formation in northwestern Madagascar has yielded a series of exceptional fossils over the course of the last three decades that provide important insights into the evolution of insular ecosystems during the latest Cretaceous (Maastrichtian). We here describe a new genus and species of pelomedusoid turtle from this formation, Sahonachelys mailakavava, based on a nearly complete skeleton. A phylogenetic analysis suggests close affinities of Sahonachelys mailakavava with the coeval Madagascan Sokatra antitra . These two taxa are the only known representatives of the newly recognized clade Sahonachelyidae, which is sister to the speciose clade formed by Bothremydidae and Podocnemidoidae . A close relationship with coeval Indian turtles of the clade Kurmademydini is notably absent. A functional assessment suggests that Sahonachelys mailakavava was a specialized suction feeder that preyed upon small-bodied invertebrates and vertebrates. This is a unique feeding strategy among crown pelomedusoids that is convergent upon that documented in numerous other clades of turtles and that highlights the distinct evolutionary pathways taken by Madagascan vertebrates.