Chelonoidis pucara
| Chelonoidis pucara Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Cryptodira |
| Family: | Testudinidae |
| Genus: | Chelonoidis |
| Species: | †C. pucara
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Chelonoidis pucara Agnolín & Chimento, 2025
| |
Chelonoidis pucara is an extinct species of turtle in the genus Chelonoidis that lived during the Pleistocene epoch.
Distribution
Chelonoidis pucara is known from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.[1]
Description
Chelonoidis pucara had an estimated carapace length of 1.7-1.8 metres, making it the largest known testudinid from South America. The holotype was an adult male, and had enlarged epiplastral "horns". In life, these would have been covered in gular scutes. Extant species with such gular projections use them as weapons in fights between males.[1]
References
- ^ a b AgnolíN, Federico L.; Chimento, NicoláS R. (11 April 2025). "A Giant Among Giants: A New Land Tortoise from the Pleistocene of the Argentine Pampas". Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia. 131 (2) 27229. Bibcode:2025RIPS..13127229A. doi:10.54103/2039-4942/27229. ISSN 2039-4942. Retrieved 8 June 2025.