Obscure by name: solving the enigma of <i>Chelytherium obscurum</i>, the first described Triassic turtle
Project
ID: 0000C1132
Public
The material historically referred to Chelytherium obscurum is exceptional for a number of reasons: as the first described Triassic turtle, the oldest testudinate in the British palaeontological collections, and one of the oldest testudinates in the world. Despite that, since its establishment in 1863, the taxon remained in a taxonomic limbo and eventually was virtually forgotten. The recent reconsideration of proterochersid turtles and improved understanding of their anatomy, however, allow reassessment of Chelytherium obscurum as a member of the Proterochersidae, subjectively synonymous with Proterochersis robusta. Despite that, in accordance with the suggestions of previous authors, the name Proterochersis robusta is endorsed to be upheld.