Alienochelys

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Alienochelys
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous, 70–66 Ma
PreꞒ
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
Alienochelys skull.jpg
Skull of specimen.
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Superfamily: Chelonioidea
Clade: Dermochelyoidae
Genus: Alienochelys
de Lapparent de Broin, 2014
Type species
Alienochelys selloumi
de Lapparent de Broin, 2014

Alienochelys ("strange turtle") is an extinct genus of sea turtle known from Maastrichian-aged Cretaceous phosphates in Morocco.[1] Its name comes from, unlike other sea turtles, Alienochelys' the jaws being adapted for a powerful crushing pattern, as well as its unusual cranial characteristics.[2] It is a relative of the modern leatherback turtle, as well as the extinct Archelon.

References[]

  1. ^ "Fossilworks: Alienochelys". fossilworks.org. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Alienochelys, new giant marine turtle and other Mesozoic turtle stuff". dml.cmnh.org. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
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