A nomenclature for fossil and living turtles using phylogenetically defined clade names

2021/02/09 by Walter G. Joyce, Jérémy Anquetin, Edwin‐Alberto Cadena +12 · 6 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology #Amphibian and Reptile Biology

paper · pdf · doi:10.1186/s13358-020-00211-x

openalex publication_date 2021/02/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

Abstract Over the last 25 years, researchers, mostly paleontologists, have developed a system of rank-free, phylogenetically defined names for the primary clades of turtles. As these names are not considered established by the PhyloCode, the newly created nomenclatural system that governs the naming of clades, we take the opportunity to convert the vast majority of previously defined clade names for extinct and extant turtles into this new nomenclatural framework. Some previously defined names are converted with minor adjustments. We also define a number of new clade names to close apparent nomenclatural gaps. In total, we establish 113 clade names, of which 79 had already received phylogenetic definitions and 34 are new. ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:43B418C2-BE9A-4BD5-91B7-8A9E0C8CB79D.

Citations

• The complete mitochondrial genome of the enigmatic bigheaded turtle (Platysternon): description of unusual genomic features and the reconciliation of phylogenetic hypotheses based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA
• Turtles of the World, 7th Edition: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution with Maps, and Conservation Status.
• Synopsis of the Extinct Batrachia, Reptilia and Aves of North America
• Multilocus phylogeny and statistical biogeography clarify the evolutionary history of major lineages of turtles
• Comparative cranial morphology of the Late Cretaceous protostegid sea turtle Desmatochelys lowii
• A new basal turtle represented by the two most complete skeletons of Helochelydridae in Europe
• The tuatara genome reveals ancient features of amniote evolution
• Caroli Linnaei...Systema naturae per regna tria naturae :secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis

Cited by

• An early bothremydid from the Arlington Archosaur Site of Texas
• A large non‐marine turtle from the Upper Cretaceous of Alabama and a review of North American “Macrobaenids”
• Angolachelonia [wikipedia]
• Ankylopoda [wikipedia]
• Cryptodira [wikipedia]
• Turtle [wikipedia]