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
- ↑ "Fossilworks: Alienochelys". fossilworks.org. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
- ↑ "Alienochelys, new giant marine turtle and other Mesozoic turtle stuff". dml.cmnh.org. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
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