Kayentachelys
Encyclopedia
Kayentachelys is an extinct genus
of cryptodire
turtle
from the Early Jurassic
Kayenta Formation
of northern Arizona. Kayentachelys was approximately 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) wide and 0.6 metres (2 ft) in length. It lived in an environment dominated by streams and dunes.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of cryptodire
Cryptodira
Cryptodira is the taxonomic suborder of Testudines that includes most living tortoises and turtles. Cryptodira differ from Pleurodira in that they lower their necks and pull the heads straight back into the shells; instead of folding their necks sideways along the body under the shells' margins...
turtle
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
from the Early Jurassic
Early Jurassic
The Early Jurassic epoch is the earliest of three epochs of the Jurassic period...
Kayenta Formation
Kayenta Formation
The Kayenta Formation is a geologic layer in the Glen Canyon Group that is spread across the Colorado Plateau province of the United States, including northern Arizona, northwest Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. This rock formation is particularly prominent in southeastern Utah, where it is seen in the...
of northern Arizona. Kayentachelys was approximately 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) wide and 0.6 metres (2 ft) in length. It lived in an environment dominated by streams and dunes.