A new bothremydid turtle (Pleurodira) from the Olmos Formation (upper Campanian) of Coahuila, Mexico. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: López-Conde, Oliver A.; Pérez-García, Adán; Chavarría-Arellano, María L.; Alvarado-Ortega, Jesús
• Is Part Of: Cretaceous research. Volume 119(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Bothremydini -- Coal mine -- Late Cretaceous -- North America -- Palaú; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Cretaceous -- Periodicals; 551.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2020.104710
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6671

Abstract

Abstract: During the Late Cretaceous, pleurodiran turtles were taxonomically diverse and, inhabited a variety of environments, within a practically worldwide distribution. Among this group, the most widespread at that time was Bothremydidae, which was represented in North America by four taxa: Algorachelus tibert, Chedighaii hutchisoni, Chedighaii barberi, and Bothremys cooki . Nevertheless, the presence of Bothremydidae in Mexico is so far very scarce, and the few reports were recognized at indeterminate generic level and have, not been analyzed in detail. In this paper we describe the first Bothremydini from Mexico, collected in a coal mine in Coahuila in the Late Cretaceous of the Olmos Formation (upper Campanian). The coal mines in this region are known for their paleoflora, but this turtle specimen is the first vertebrate to be notified. This specimen displays a unique combination of characters that allows its attribution to a new representative, Palauchelys montellanoi gen. et sp. nov., thus expanding knowledge about the diversity of this group in the American Cretaceous record. Highlights: New Bothremydini material discovered in the Olmos Formation of Coahuila, Mexico is described. The characteristics of this material allow the recognition of a new genus and species, Palauchelys montellanoi. Palauchelys montellanoi is the first Bothremydini turtle described from the late Campanian of Mexico. The new specimen adds to the diversity of Bothremydini in North America.