Gamerabaena

Gamerabaena is an extinct genus of baenid turtle which existed in North Dakota during the late Cretaceous Period. It is known from a single fragmentary skull that was found in the Maastrichtian-age Hell Creek Formation. It contains the species Gamerabaena sonsalla.^[1] Gamerabaena is similar to the genus Palatobaena, but it differs in its lack of a posterior expansion of the triturating (or chewing) surface, a somewhat rectangular skull, and a wide angle between the maxillae. Gamerabaena also has a lingual ridge on the inner side of the jaw that is not seen in Palatobaena.^[1]

Gamerabaena Temporal range: Late Cretaceous
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Clade:	Pantestudines
Clade:	Testudinata
Clade:	†Paracryptodira
Family:	†Baenidae
Genus:	†Gamerabaena Lyson and Joyce, 2010
Species
G. sonsalla Lyson and Joyce, 2010 (type)

Gamerabaena is considered the sister taxon of Palatobaena and shares features with both Palatobaena and Plesiobaena. These features, which include slightly upturned eye sockets, are seen as intermediate between the two other genera. While Gamerabaena is known only from the skull, it may belong to the same species as "Baena" hayi, which is known primarily from the shell.^[1]

The genus is named after Gamera, a giant flying, fire-breathing turtle from a series of Japanese tokusatsu films.^[1]

Phylogeny

Cladogram after Tyler R. Lyson and Walter G. Joyce (2009).^[2]

Pleurosternon bullockii Glyptops plicatulus Baenidae Neurankylinae Neurankylus eximius Trinitichelys hiatti Eubaeninae Hayemys latifrons Baenodda Plesiobaenini Plesiobaena antiqua Peckemys brinkman Cedrobaena putorius Gamerabaena sonsalla Palatobaena cohen Palatobaena bairdi Palatobaena gaffneyi Eubaenini Boremys pulchra Boremys grandis Eubaena cephalica Goleremys mckennai Stygiochelys estesi Baena arenosa Chisternon undatum

See also

• Sinemys gamera – another species of fossil turtle named after Gamera