Alienochelys

Alienochelys
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous, 70–66 Ma
Skull of specimen.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Clade: Americhelydia
Clade: Dermochelyoidae
Genus: Alienochelys
de Lapparent de Broin, 2014
Type species
Alienochelys selloumi
de Lapparent de Broin, 2014

Alienochelys ("strange turtle") is an extinct species of sea turtle known from Maastrichian-aged Cretaceous phosphates in Morocco.[1] Its name comes from the fact that unlike other sea turtles, Alienochelys' jaws are 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 2016-05-27.
  2. "Alienochelys, new giant marine turtle and other Mesozoic turtle stuff". dml.cmnh.org. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
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