Galianemys whitei
Superfamily Pelomedusoides, Family Bothremydidae
Geological Time: Upper Cretaceous
Size: Fossil length is 21 inches around the curve; fossil weighs 52 pounds
Fossil Site: Tegana Formation, Kem Kem Morocco
Fossil Code: MTU2
Price: $3200.00 - Sold
When
we hear of the Cretaceous Tegana Formation in Morocco, Dinosaurs come to
mind, especially the bigger than T-Rex, fierce Carcharodontosuarus saharicus.
But other creatures more docile, such as this turtle, shared this Upper
Cretaceous habitat. The earliest turtles are believed to date to the Permian.
This is one of only two examples of the complete shells of Galianemys I have seen.
At 21 inches around the curve, even Carcharodontosuarus would have found this ancient Testudine a satisfying snack. The fossil is all original, as unearthed in the field, with no preparation, repair or restoration. There is still a thin coat of matrix covering most of the the carapace (dorsal or top of shell). The shell is filled with matrix. Dorsal preparation to fully expose the carapace and scutes would be relatively easy, but considerable effort would be required to expose the ventral (underside) plastron of the shell. The fossil's current condition portends that the exposed shell would be in fine condition.
Notice the pair of almost dime-size tooth puncture marks near the edge of the shell, possible markers of how the animal met its demise.
Ref: Galianemys, a New Side-Necked Turtle (Pelomedusoides, Bothremydidae) from the Late Cretaceous of Morocco. Gaffney, Tong, and Meylan. 2002. American Museum of Natural History Novitates 3379. 20 pp.
