The first Cearachelyini (Pelomedusoides, Bothremydidae) turtle from the Upper Cretaceous of Patagonia, and an overview of the occurrence and diversity of Pelomedusoides in Patagonia

Abstract

A new species of pelomedusoid turtle: Elkanemys pritchardi gen. et sp. nov. from Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) is described. The specimen MMCH-PV 73 outcrops at Lago Ezequiel Ramos Mexia, near El Chocón town, Río Negro Province, Argentina. The holotype is only represented by a partial carapace and plastron, which has been included in a cladistic analysis, resulting Elkanemys pritchardi as a member of Cearachelyini tribe of the clade Bothremydidae. This new taxon corresponds to the first record of a Bothremydidae in a Cretaceous horizon of Neuquén Basin. The results here presented highlight the diversity of Pelomedusoides in the Cretaceous of Patagonia allowing the inclusion of this area in further paleobiogeographic history of Bothremydidae clade.