A fossil sea turtle (Reptilia, Pan-Cheloniidae) with preserved soft tissues from the Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark

Figures & data

FIGURE 1. A, map of the Limfjord region of northern Jutland, Denmark, showing the geographic extension of Fur Formation strata (depicted in dark gray) and the approximate location of the Ejerslev Quarry in which DK 807 was found. Modified from Pederson and Buchardt (1996:fig. 1). B, stratigraphic column of the upper Ølst Formation and Fur Formation with the approximate horizon yielding DK 807 indicated by a sea turtle silhouette. Modified from Rasmussen et al. (2016:fig. 5).

FIGURE 2. DK-807, Pan-Cheloniidae indet. A, photographic and B, diagrammatic representation of the fossil when viewed from above. Abbreviations: carp, carapace; ca. ver, caudal vertebrae; dig, digit; fem, femur; fib, fibula; ili, ilium; lpp, lateral pubic process; mt, metatarsal; pub, pubis; sac, sacrum; tib, tibia; xip, xiphiplastron.

FIGURE 3. DK 807, Pan-Cheloniidae indet., carapace. A, photographic and B, diagrammatic representation of the external surface (hypothetical skeletal element boundaries underneath the scute tissue are denoted by dotted lines). Abbreviations: co, costal; n, neural; per, peripheral; py, pygal; spy, suprapygal.

FIGURE 4. Details of the carapace of DK 807, Pan-Cheloniidae indet. A, photograph of a carbonaceous scute. B, 3D rendering of the posterior portion of the carapace. The digitally reconstructed carapace is tilted to enhance features otherwise obscured by the scute. C, potential organic traces on the anterior external surface of the carapace (arrowhead). D, inferred bite traces (arrowheads) on the left side of the bony carapace. E, putative bite marks (arrowheads) on the posterior surface of the bony carapace.

FIGURE 5. DK 807, Pan-Cheloniidae indet., pelvic girdle and hind limbs. A, photographic and B, diagrammatic representation of the ventral and lateral surfaces of the pelvis and limbs. Skeletal elements shaded in dark gray indicate association with the left limb, whereas light gray denote right limb elements. C, xiphiplastron straddling the ischium; note pronounced metischial processes (denoted by white stars). White arrowheads indicate projections from the caudal end of the xiphiplastron. Potential tissue remains between the xiphiplatron and metatarsal 5 are marked by black arrowheads. D, dark-colored tissue traces in the space between the tibia (right side of the image) and the fibula (left side of the image) indicated by black arrowheads. Note large tibial pit (white star). E, overview of flipper webbing. F, close-up of flipper trace between phalanges III and IV, illustrating the dark-colored striations that are present in between the skeletal elements. Black arrowhead denotes folded tissue. Abbreviations: ace, acetabulum; acm, astragalocalcaneum; carp, carapace; d, distal tarsal; fem, femur; fib, fibula; ili, ilium; lpp, lateral pubic process; m, metatarsal; met, metischial process; pub, pubis; tib, tibia; tib pit, tibial pit; xip, xiphiplastron. Phalanges and their associated metatarsals are labeled by roman numerals.

FIGURE 6. DK 807, Pan-Cheloniidae indet., detached elements. A, sacrum and an isolated caudal vertebra. B, articulated string of caudal vertebra.

FIGURE 7. Comparison of carapace material from Eocene stem-cheloniids housed in the collections at IRSNB. A, Eochelone brabantica (IRSNB R 0061); B, Puppigerus camperi (IRSNB R 0004); C, Eochelone brabantica (IRSNB R 0339); D, Puppigerus camperi (IRSNB R 0078).

Pedersen, G. K., and B. Buchardt. 1996. The calcareous concretions (cementastan) in the Fur Formation (Paleogene, Denmark): isotopic evidence of early diagenetic growth. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark 43:78–86.

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Rasmussen, J. A., H. Madsen, B. P. Schultz, R. L. Sylvesternsen, and N. Bonde. 2016. The lowermost Eocene deposits and biota of the western Limjord region, Denmark- Field Trip Guidebook. 2nd International Mo-clay Meeting, 2–4 November 2016, at Museum, Skive and Fossil and Mo-clay Museum, Museum Mors, Nykøbing Mors.

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