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Description

This illustration depicts the likely scenario that lead to a real fossil.

Species: Marine turtle, Plesiochelys bigleri (Thallasochelydia).

Fossil: Flattened remains of a partially articulated shell, damaged by a sauropod.

Age: Early Kimmeridgian, Late Jurassic.

Location: Porrentruy (Swiss Jura Mountains), Switzerland.

Stats: Turtle: 15 cm carapace (large individuals can reach 55 cm long).

Sauropod: Identity of species is unknown, footprint 16 cm diameter, roughly estimated a 10 metres long (depending on species)

Extra info: The fossil was discovered amongst well established dinosaur track-bearing laminites. Whilst present, remains of turtles, crocodylomorphs and fish are rare fossils on this tidal flat environment. They are more abundant in nearby locations from more coastal environments with over 80 specimens of Plesiochelys having been found. Rare occurence of a turtle fossil indicates the possibility that turtles regularly crossed the tidal flat to reach nest sites or that it had become stranded. The specimen was located close to deep sauropod footprints and the crushed remains are consistent with having been stood upon.

Reference: sjg.springeropen.com/articles/…

Description

This illustration depicts the likely scenario that lead to a real fossil.

Species: Marine turtle, Plesiochelys bigleri (Thallasochelydia).

Fossil: Flattened remains of a partially articulated shell, damaged by a sauropod.

Age: Early Kimmeridgian, Late Jurassic.

Location: Porrentruy (Swiss Jura Mountains), Switzerland.

Stats: Turtle: 15 cm carapace (large individuals can reach 55 cm long).

Sauropod: Identity of species is unknown, footprint 16 cm diameter, roughly estimated a 10 metres long (depending on species)

Extra info: The fossil was discovered amongst well established dinosaur track-bearing laminites. Whilst present, remains of turtles, crocodylomorphs and fish are rare fossils on this tidal flat environment. They are more abundant in nearby locations from more coastal environments with over 80 specimens of Plesiochelys having been found. Rare occurence of a turtle fossil indicates the possibility that turtles regularly crossed the tidal flat to reach nest sites or that it had become stranded. The specimen was located close to deep sauropod footprints and the crushed remains are consistent with having been stood upon.

Reference: sjg.springeropen.com/articles/…