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Axestemys infernalis

Reptilia - Testudines - Trionychidae

Discussion

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Taxonomy
Axestemys infernalis was named by Joyce et al. (2019). Its type specimen is DMNH 131100, a shell (near-complete carapace), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Big Turtle Cove locality, which is in a Maastrichtian terrestrial sandstone in the Hell Creek Formation of North Dakota.

Synonymy list
YearName and author
2019Axestemys infernalis Joyce et al.

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RankNameAuthor
kingdomAnimalia()
—Bilateria
—EubilateriaAx 1987
—Deuterostomia
phylumChordataHaeckel 1874
subphylumVertebrata
superclassGnathostomata
—Osteichthyes()
subclassSarcopterygii()
subclassDipnotetrapodomorpha(Nelson 2006)
subclassTetrapodomorpha()
—Tetrapoda
—Reptiliomorpha
RankNameAuthor
—Anthracosauria
subclassAmphibiosauriaKuhn 1967
—Cotylosauria()
—Amniota
—Sauropsida
classReptilia
—Testudinata(Oppel 1811)
orderTestudinesBatsch 1788
suborderCryptodira
familyTrionychidaeGray 1825
subfamilyTrionychinaeGray 1825
genusAxestemys
speciesinfernalis

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.

†Axestemys infernalis Joyce et al. 2019
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Diagnosis
ReferenceDiagnosis
W. J. Joyce et al. 2019Among trionychids from the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene of North America, Axestemys infernalis sp. nov. can be diagnosed as a representative of Axestemys by the unique combination of the plesiomorphic presence of a preneural in combination with the apomorphic development of large size and the presence of a single lateral hyoplastral process. Axestemys infernalis sp. nov. resembles Axestemys splendidus, but differs from all Paleogene representatives of Axestemys, by the absence of elongate free ribs and by possessing costal sculpturing that reaches the margin of the shell. Axestemys infernalis sp. nov. differs from Axestemys splendidus by having a rounded carapace, instead of a disk that is notably wider than long.
Measurements
No measurements are available
Composition: phosphaticsubp
Body part: carapacef
Adult length: 100 to < 1000f
Grouping: solitaryf
Environment: brackish, freshwaterf
Locomotion: actively mobilef
Life habit: aquaticf
Diet: piscivoref
Diet 2: carnivoref
Reproduction: oviparousf
Created: 2005-08-25 13:24:04
Modified: 2005-09-09 19:45:41
Source: f = family, subp = subphylum
References: Carroll 1988, Ernst and Barbour 1989

Age range: Late/Upper Maastrichtian or 70.60000 to 66.00000 Ma

Collections (10 total)


Time interval Ma Country or state Original ID and collection number
Lancian70.6 - 66.0USA (South Dakota) Axestemys infernalis (48235)
Late/Upper Maastrichtian70.6 - 66.0USA (Wyoming) Axestemys infernalis (52106)
Late/Upper Maastrichtian70.6 - 66.0USA (North Dakota) Axestemys infernalis (122903) Axestemys splendida (141582 type locality: 141583)
Late/Upper Maastrichtian70.6 - 66.0USA (South Dakota) Axestemys infernalis (206554 224484)
Late/Upper Maastrichtian70.6 - 66.0USA (Montana) Axestemys infernalis (206550 206551 206552)