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Obscure by name: solving the enigma of <i>Chelytherium obscurum</i>, the first described Triassic turtle Project ID: 0000C1132 Public
3 Media · 3 Specimens · Managed by: Tomasz Szczygielski

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.

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  ID Part Object Taxonomy Type Date Added Publication Status  
000163183 Posterior part of the carapace with dorsal part of the ilium NHMUK:PAL:PV OR 38653 Proterochersis robusta Mesh 2020-10-05 Open Download  
000162114 Posterior part of the carapace with dorsal part of the ilium NHMUK:PAL:PV OR 38650 Proterochersis robusta Mesh 2020-09-29 Open Download  
000162113 Carapace margin fragment NHMUK:PAL:PV OR 38651 Proterochersis robusta Mesh 2020-09-29 Open Download  
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