Calcarichelys

Calcarichelys; Temporal range: Campanian–Maastrichtian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
	Carapace and plastron, McWane Science Center
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Family:	†Protostegidae
Genus:	†Calcarichelys; Zangerl, 1953
Type species
	Calcarichelys gemma; Zangerl, 1953

Calcarichelys ('spur turtle' or 'thorn turtle') is an extinct genus of protostegid turtle from the Late Cretaceous of the Selma Formation in Alabama, and possibly from Angola. It contains only one species, C. gemma. The species epithet "gemma" refers to the nickname "The Gem" given to the holotype by collector C. M. Barber due to its preservation quality.

Discovery

The holotype specimen of Calcarichelys is known from Mooreville Chalk, Alabama. More complete specimens are later described from same formation. Another specimen that possibly belongs to Calcarichelys or related species is known from the Maastrichtian of Bentiaba, Angola.

Description

Calcarichelys is a small protostegid, with a carapace length of 25.3 cm (10.0 in). It is probably closely related to Chelosphargis, as they share some characteristics. Unlike Chelosphargis, Calcarichelys is characterized by thornlike neural plates.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 Zangerl, Rainer; Museum, Chicago Natural History (1953). The vertebrate fauna of the Selma Formation of Alabama. [Chicago, Ill.]: Chicago Natural History Museum.
↑ "Mindat.org". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
1 2 3 4 5 6 Hooks, G. E. (1998-04-10). "Systematic revision of the Protostegidae, with a redescription of Calcarichelys gemma Zangerl, 1953". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 18 (1): 85–98. Bibcode:1998JVPal..18...85H. doi:10.1080/02724634.1998.10011036. ISSN 0272-4634.
1 2 Mateus, Octávio; Polcyn, Michael; Jacobs, Louis; Araujo, Ricardo; Schulp, A.; Marinheiro, João; Pereira, Bruno; Vineyard, Diana (2012-01-01). "Cretaceous amniotes from Angola: dinosaurs, pterosaurs, mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, and turtles". V Jornadas Internacionales Sobre Paleontología de Dinosaurios y Su Entorno.
↑ "Calcarichelys - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2022-04-22.

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[:0-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 Zangerl, Rainer; Museum, Chicago Natural History (1953). The vertebrate fauna of the Selma Formation of Alabama. [Chicago, Ill.]: Chicago Natural History Museum.

[2] "Mindat.org". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2022-04-22.

[:1-3] 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hooks, G. E. (1998-04-10). "Systematic revision of the Protostegidae, with a redescription of Calcarichelys gemma Zangerl, 1953". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 18 (1): 85–98. Bibcode:1998JVPal..18...85H. doi:10.1080/02724634.1998.10011036. ISSN 0272-4634.

[:2-4] 1 2 Mateus, Octávio; Polcyn, Michael; Jacobs, Louis; Araujo, Ricardo; Schulp, A.; Marinheiro, João; Pereira, Bruno; Vineyard, Diana (2012-01-01). "Cretaceous amniotes from Angola: dinosaurs, pterosaurs, mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, and turtles". V Jornadas Internacionales Sobre Paleontología de Dinosaurios y Su Entorno.

[5] "Calcarichelys - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2022-04-22.