The fossil of an ancient soft\u002Dshelled turtle discovered in Saskatchewan has been identified by researchers as a new species within its genus.
The uniquely intact fossil has been identified as a new species of soft-shelled turtle, included in the same genus as the modern-day mud turtle.
The turtle was found in 2016 during the excavation of a Triceratops near Grasslands National Park. The tiny creature was tucked underneath one of the larger dinosaur’s limb bones, when the dig crew found it. “The bones that make up the shell are very, very thin, with the shell itself only two or three millimetres thick,” said McKellar.
“We find one or two partial shells each year in the fields, usually even a half or third or quarter if we’re lucky,” said McKellar. “So this is very special for the collection, and for paleontology on the whole.” A 3D scan showing the anterior view of a fossilized soft-shelled turtle specimen discovered near Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan, which has been identified as a new species by researchers.The team of researchers involved in looking at the exciting fossil, including McKellar and University of Regina graduate student Caelan Libke, have only recently published their discovery.