Araiochelys ("narrow turtle") is an extinct genus of bothremydid pleurodiran turtle that was discovered in the Ouled Abdoun Basin, Morocco.[2][1][3] The genus consists solely of type species A. hirayamai.[1]

Araiochelys
Temporal range: Paleocene, 66.043–61.7 Ma[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Pleurodira
Family: Bothremydidae
Subfamily: Bothremydinae
Tribe: Bothremydini
Subtribe: Bothremydina
Genus: Araiochelys
Gaffney et al., 2006
Species:
A. hirayamai
Binomial name
Araiochelys hirayamai
Gaffney et al., 2006

Discovery

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Araiochelys was discovered in the Ouled Abdoun Basin of Morocco, primarily known for its Maastrichtian and Paleocene fossils.[2]

Description

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The preorbital section of Araiochelys's skull is narrower than in all other members of the Bothremydini. The dorsal process is noted by the describers as being narrow in contrast to Bothremys. The ridge forming the lower rim of the orbit is relatively distinct, also in contrast to Bothremys.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "†Araiochelys Gaffney et al. 2006". Paleobiology Database. Fossilworks. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Gaffney, Eugene S.; Tong, Haiyan & Meylan, Peter A. (2006). "Evolution of the side-necked turtles: the families Bothremydidae, Euraxemydidae, and Araripemydidae" (PDF). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 300: 1–318. doi:10.1206/0003-0090(2006)300[1:EOTSTT]2.0.CO;2. hdl:2246/5824. S2CID 85790134.
  3. ^ Araiochelys Gaffney, Tong & Meylan, 2006 † . Retrieved through: Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera on 26 January 2023.