Gamerabaena

Gamerabaena is an extinct genus of baenid turtle which existed in North Dakota during the late Cretaceous period. It is known from a single fragmentary skull that was found in the Maastrichtian-age Hell Creek Formation. It contains the species Gamerabaena sonsalla.[1] Gamerabaena is similar to the genus Palatobaena, but it differs in its lack of a posterior expansion of the triturating (or chewing) surface, a somewhat rectangular skull, and a wide angle between the maxillae. Gamerabaena also has a lingual ridge on the inner side of the jaw that is not seen in Palatobaena.[1]

Gamerabaena
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Baenidae
Genus: Gamerabaena
Lyson and Joyce, 2010
Species
  • G. sonsalla Lyson and Joyce, 2010 (type)

Gamerabaena is considered the sister taxon of Palatobaena and shares features with both Palatobaena and Plesiobaena. These features, which include slightly upturned eye sockets, are seen as intermediate between the two other genera. While Gamerabaena is known only from the skull, it may belong to the same species as "Baena" hayi, which is known primarily from the shell.[1]

The genus is named after Gamera, a giant flying, fire-breathing turtle from a series of Japanese tokusatsu films.[1]

Phylogeny

Cladogram after Tyler R. Lyson and Walter G. Joyce (2009).[2]

Pleurosternon bullockii

Glyptops plicatulus

 Baenidae 
 Neurankylinae 

Neurankylus eximius

Trinitichelys hiatti

 Eubaeninae 

Hayemys latifrons

 Baenodda
 Plesiobaenini

Plesiobaena antiqua

Peckemys brinkman

Cedrobaena putorius

Gamerabaena sonsalla

Palatobaena cohen

Palatobaena bairdi

Palatobaena gaffneyi

 Eubaenini

Boremys pulchra

Boremys grandis

Eubaena cephalica

Goleremys mckennai

Stygiochelys estesi

Baena arenosa

Chisternon undatum

References

  1. Lyson, T.R.; Joyce, W,G. (2010). "A new baenid turtle from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Hell Creek Formation of North Dakota and a preliminary taxonomic review of Cretaceous Baenidae" (PDF). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 30 (2): 394–402. doi:10.1080/02724631003618389.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Tyler R. Lyson & Walter G. Joyce (2009). "A Revision of Plesiobaena (Testudines: Baenidae) and an Assessment of Baenid Ecology Across the K/T Boundary". Journal of Paleontology. 83 (6): 833–853. doi:10.1666/09-035.1.


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