Basic info Taxonomic history Classification Included Taxa
Morphology Ecology and taphonomy External Literature Search Age range and collections

Hesperotestudo williamsi

Reptilia - Testudines - Testudinidae

Taxonomy
Geochelone williamsi was named by Auffenberg (1964). Its type specimen is TMM 31084-11 (holotype), a shell, and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Garvin Gully, which is in a Hemingfordian terrestrial horizon in the Oakville Formation of Texas.

It was recombined as Hesperotestudo williamsi by Vlachos (2018) and Weems (2023).

Synonymy list
YearName and author
1964Geochelone williamsi Auffenberg
2018Hesperotestudo williamsi Vlachos
2023Hesperotestudo williamsi Weems

Is something missing? Join the Paleobiology Database and enter the data

RankNameAuthor
kingdomAnimalia()
—Bilateria
—EubilateriaAx 1987
—Deuterostomia
phylumChordataHaeckel 1874
subphylumVertebrata
superclassGnathostomata
—Osteichthyes()
subclassSarcopterygii()
subclassDipnotetrapodomorpha(Nelson 2006)
subclassTetrapodomorpha()
—Tetrapoda
—Reptiliomorpha
—Anthracosauria
RankNameAuthor
subclassAmphibiosauriaKuhn 1967
—Cotylosauria()
—Amniota
—Sauropsida
classReptilia
—Testudinata(Oppel 1811)
orderTestudinesBatsch 1788
suborderCryptodira
—Pantestudinoidea
superfamilyTestudinoidea
familyTestudinidaeBatsch 1788
subfamilyXerobatinaeAgassiz 1857
genusHesperotestudo(Williams 1950)
specieswilliamsi()

If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.

†Hesperotestudo williamsi Auffenberg 1964
show all | hide all
Diagnosis
ReferenceDiagnosis
E. Vlachos 2018Hesperotestudo williamsi can be diagnosed as a member of Hesperotestudo based on the characters mentioned above. Hesperotestudo williamsi differs from other members of Hesperotestudo in the presence of an octagonal neural VI.
R. E. Weems 2023Large tortoise with an estimated length of about 34 cm, distinctly larger than H. ducateli. Neurals wider than long, dorsal surface faintly rugose. Costals narrow, long, and preserved segments nearly straight; costals thicker than in H. ducateli. Entoplastron diamond shaped, more narrow than long. Humerus large with a robust, stout, and only slightly sigmoidal shaft.
Measurements
No measurements are available
Composition: phosphaticsubp
Environment: terrestrialf
Locomotion: actively mobilec
Life habit: ground dwellingf
Diet: herbivoref
Diet 2: herbivoref
Reproduction: oviparousf
Created: 2005-08-26 07:16:55
Modified: 2005-09-09 16:16:46
Source: f = family, c = class, subp = subphylum
References: Ernst and Barbour 1989, Carroll 1988, Hendy et al. 2009

Age range: Hemingfordian or 20.43000 to 15.97000 Ma

Collections (2 total)


Time interval Ma Country or state Original ID and collection number
Burdigalian20.44 - 15.97USA (Maryland) Hesperotestudo williamsi (71810)
Hemingfordian20.43 - 15.97USA (Texas) Testudinata indet. (type locality: 18626)