Axestemys erquelinnensis Perez-Garcia and Smith 2021 (softshell turtle)

Reptilia - Testudines - Trionychidae

Derivation of the name: From Erquelinnes, the type locality of this species.

Full reference: A. Perez-Garcia and T. Smith. 2021. Systematics and diversity of the giant soft-shelled turtles (Cryptodira, Trionychidae) from the earliest Eocene of Belgium. Geobios 66-67:15-34

Belongs to Axestemys according to A. Perez-Garcia and T. Smith 2021

Sister taxa: Axestemys byssina, Axestemys byssinus, Axestemys cerevisia, Axestemys infernalis, Axestemys montinsana, Axestemys quinni, Axestemys splendidus, Axestemys vittata, Rafetus (Axestemys) exquisitus, Rafetus (Axestemys) nelsoni

Type specimen: IRSNB R86, a partial skeleton (carapace and the dorsal vertebrae). Its type locality is Grand-Reng, which is in a Selandian terrestrial horizon in the Tienen Formation of Belgium.

Ecology: aquatic piscivore-carnivore

Distribution: found only at Grand-Reng

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Specimen images are retrieved through the ePANDDA API.


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