New material of Dracochelys (Eucryptodira: Sinemydidae) from the Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China

Abstract

A new specimen of Dracochelys bicuspis documents the lower jaws and postcranial skeleton of this taxon. A close relationship with Hangaiemys is supported by the presence of nine neural bones, with the sulcus between the fourth and fifth vertebral scute crossing the ninth neural. The two taxa differ in the contacts of the first peripheral, shape of the vertebral scutes, and pattern of fenestration of the plastron. Dracochelys differs from "Sinemys" wuerhoensis and "S. " efremovi, which also occur in the Tugulu Group, in features of the carapace, especially the arrangement of the posterior neurals and suprapygals.