Cearachelys

See-rah-kel-iss.
By Claire Morris
Published on

Claire Morris

Marine Paleontologist

Claire Morris has dedicated her career to exploring the depths of prehistoric oceans. Her fascination with ancient marine life has led her to discover significant fossils that illuminate the evolution of early sea creatures.

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Morris, C. (2012, September 30). Cearachelys. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/cearachelys/

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Name

Cearachelys ‭(‬Cear� shell‭)‬.

Phonetic

See-rah-kel-iss.

Named By

E.‭ ‬S.‭ ‬Gaffney,‭ ‬D.‭ ‬de Almeida Campos‭ & ‬R.‭ ‬Hirayama‭ ‬-‭ ‬2001.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Testudines,‭ ‬Pleurodira,‭ ‬Bothremydidae.

Diet

Omnivore‭?

Species

C.‭ ‬placidoi‭

Size

Shell at least‭ ‬20‭ ‬centimetres long.

Known locations

Brazil‭ ‬-‭ ‬Santana Formation.

Time Period

Cenomanian of the Cretaceous.

Fossil representation

Shell and partial skull and skeletal remains of at least three individuals.

In Depth

       Cearachelys is a genus of side-necked turtle that lived in South America during the early stages of the late Cretaceous.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬Cearachelys,‭ ‬a new side-necked turtle‭ (‬Pelomedusoides:‭ ‬Bothremydidae‭) ‬from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil.‭ ‬-‭ ‬American Museum Novitates‭ ‬3319:1-20.‭ ‬-‭ ‬E.‭ ‬S.‭ ‬Gaffney,‭ ‬D.‭ ‬de Almeida Campos‭ & ‬R.‭ ‬Hirayama‭ ‬-‭ ‬2001.

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