Prehistoric Toothed Turtles Existed 190 Million Years Old

The scientists from the Biogeology Lab of the University of Tübingen have studied the history of ancient turtles. As per the researchers, turtles with remnants of teeth survived 30 million years later than previously thought. The researchers have clarified that today’s turtles do not have teeth. They cut off their food using hard ridges on their jaws. However, the ancient turtles were not so dentally challenged, said the analysts.

A team led by study co-author Dr. Xing Xu of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Beijing identified a previously unknown extinct chelonian species. The species are known as Sichuanchelys pala tode tata that are the turtle with a toothed palate. The researchers have searched the Xinjiang site of Wucaiwan that is known for the remarkable Middle to Late Jurassic dinosaur fossils.

At the similar site, the researchers have found the history of tortoises and turtles out of which over 350 different species live in the world today.

Content Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161108073139.htm

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