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Helochelydridae
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Helochelydridae
Temporal range: Berriasian–Maastrichtian
Helochelydra nopcsai skull
Shell of Naomichelys
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Clade: Pantestudines
Clade: Testudinata
Clade: Perichelydia
Family: Helochelydridae
Nopsca, 1928
Genera

See text

Synonyms[1]

Solemydidae Lapparent and Murelaga 1997

The Helochelydridae are an extinct family of stem-turtles known from fossils found in North America and Europe spanning the Early to Late Cretaceous.[1][2]

Description

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The skull, shell and osteoderms of helochelydrids are covered in small, cylindrical protuberances, which are a distinctive characteristic of the group.[3] They are thought to be terrestrial, based on the presence of limb osteoderms (granicones) and bone histology.[4] Their skull morphology is dissimilar to that of extant tortoises, suggesting an omnivorous habit similar to that of box turtles.[5]

Taxonomy

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Helochelydridae includes all turtles that are more closely related to Helochelydra than Sichuanchelys, Meiolania, or extant turtles.[6] Although referred to as Solemydidae in recent literature on extinct turtles, Helochelydridae has priority over Solemydidae. They are placed as part of the clade Perichelydia.[7] Some recent studies have recovered them as paracryptodires,[8][9] though other studies have found them to be more basal than paracryptodires.[10][11]

Position of helochelydrids according to Tong et. al. 2023:[12]

Genera

[edit]

Indeterminate remains most similar to "Helochelydra" anglica and "Helochelydra" bakewelli have been reported from the Berriasian aged Angeac-Charente bonebed of France.[15]

References

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