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New specimen of Basilemys praeclara Hay and its bearing on the relationships of the Nanhsiungchelyidae (Reptilia: Testudines)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2016

Donald Brinkman
Affiliation:
Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, Box 7500, Drumheller, Alberta, Canada, T0J 0Y0
Elizabeth L. Nicholls
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada

Abstract

A new specimen of the Cretaceous trionychoid turtle Basilemys praeclara Hay, from the Frenchman Formation (Upper Maastrichtian) of Saskatchewan, confirms the validity of the species, previously known only from the type specimen. Basilemys praeclara is considered the sister taxon of Basilemys sinuosa, and the restriction of this clade to the late Maastrichtian reinforces the distinctiveness of the Lancian chelonian fauna from the older Judithian chelonian fauna. Basilemys, Nanhsiungchelys, and Zangerlia comprise the family Nanhsiungchelyidae, with Basilemys and Nanhsiungchelys being sister taxa within the family.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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