New material of <i>Jiangxichelys ganzhouensis</i> Tong &amp; Mo, (Testudines: Cryptodira: Nanhsiungchelyidae) and its phylogenetic and palaeogeographical implications

Abstract

Abstract New material of Jiangxichelys ganzhouensis Tong &amp; Mo, 2010, including four shells, is described, more fully documenting the morphology of the species. A partial skull associated with one of the shells is reported for the first time for that taxon. The new material reveals more similarities between J. ganzhouensis and ‘ Zangerlia ’ neimongolensis ; the latter species is therefore included in the genus Jiangxichelys . The phylogenetic analyses continue to support the monophyly of the J. ganzhouensis , ‘ Zangerlia ’ neimongolensis , ‘ Z .’ dzamynchondi and ‘ Z .’ ukhaachelys clade and the separation of this clade from the type species of Zangerlia, Z. testudinimorpha as recently suggested. The close affinity between Jiangxichelys and ‘ Zangerlia ’ spp. provides new evidence for weak physical barriers against the dispersal of land vertebrates between southern China and northern China and Mongolia during latest Cretaceous times.