Skip to content Skip to navigation

Article: A gravid fossil turtle from the Early Cretaceous reveals a different egg development strategy to that of extant marine turtles

Palaeontology - Vol. 62 Part 4 - Cover Image
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume: 62
Part: 4
Publication Date: July 2019
Page(s): 533 545
Author(s): Edwin‐Alberto Cadena, Mary L. Parra‐Ruge, Juan de D. Parra‐Ruge, and Santiago Padilla‐Bernal
Addition Information

How to Cite

CADENA, E., PARRA‐RUGE, M.L., PARRA‐RUGE, J.D.D., PADILLA‐BERNAL, S. 2019. A gravid fossil turtle from the Early Cretaceous reveals a different egg development strategy to that of extant marine turtles. Palaeontology, 62, 4, 533-545. DOI: /doi/10.1111/pala.12413

Author Information

  • Edwin‐Alberto Cadena - Grupo de Investigación en Paleontología Neotropical Tradicional y Molecular (PALEONEO) Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas Universidad del Rosario Bogotá Colombia
  • Edwin‐Alberto Cadena - Centro de Investigaciones Paleontológicas Villa de Leyva Colombia
  • Mary L. Parra‐Ruge - Centro de Investigaciones Paleontológicas Villa de Leyva Colombia
  • Juan de D. Parra‐Ruge - Centro de Investigaciones Paleontológicas Villa de Leyva Colombia
  • Santiago Padilla‐Bernal - Centro de Investigaciones Paleontológicas Villa de Leyva Colombia

Publication History

    Online Version Hosted By

    Wiley Online Library
    Get Article: Wiley Online Library [Pay-to-View Access] |

    Abstract

    Extant sea turtles develop and lay pliable (flexible) eggs; however, it is unknown whether they inherited this reproductive strategy from their closer fossil relatives or if it represents an evolutionary novelty. Here, we describe the first undisputable gravid marine fossil turtle ever found, from the early Cretaceous of Colombia, belonging to Desmatochelys padillai Cadena & Parham, which constitutes a representative of the Protostegidae. Using thin sectioning of one of the eggs, as well as scanning electron microscopy coupled with elemental characterization, cathodoluminescence, and computer tomography, we established that Desmatochelys padillai produced rigid eggs similar to those associated with some extant and fossil freshwater and terrestrial turtles. At least 48 spherical eggs were preserved inside this gravid turtle. We suggest that the development of rigid eggs in the extinct marine turtle Desmatochelys padillai resulted as an adaptation for egg‐embryo requirements dictated by the physical attributes of the nesting site.

    PalAss Go! URL: http://go.palass.org/kit | Twitter: Share on Twitter | Facebook: Share on Facebook | Google+: Share on Google+