Comparative cranial morphology of the Late Cretaceous protostegid sea turtle Desmatochelys lowii.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The phylogenetic placement of Cretaceous marine turtles, especially Protostegidae, is still under debate among paleontologists. Whereas protostegids were traditionally thought to be situated within the clade of recent marine turtles (Chelonioidea), some recent morphological and molecular studies suggest placement along the stem of Cryptodira. The main reason why the evolution of marine turtles is still poorly understood, is in part due to a lack of insights into the cranial anatomy of protostegids. However, a general availability of high-quality fossil material, combined with modern analysis techniques, such as X-ray microtomography, provide ample opportunity to improve this situation. The scope of this study is to help resolve its phylogenetic relationships by providing

SUBMITTER: Raselli I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6287587 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature