Studying extinct species gives us a glimpse into the past, revealing the intricate tapestry of life on Earth. The fascinating discovery of a gargantuan freshwater turtle that lived alongside humans as recently as 9,000 years ago.
In 2007, gold miners near the Amazonian city of Porto Velho stumbled upon fossilized remains. These fragments were later identified as part of a colossal turtle’s lower jaw. The sheer size of the fossil sparked immense excitement among the scientific community, leading to its careful examination in the lab of the University of São Paulo.
The thrill of unearthing a fossil that could potentially rewrite history is unparalleled. – Gabriel Ferreira, Vertebrate Paleontologist
After meticulous measurements and comparisons with both extinct and extant turtles, it was concluded that the jawbone belonged to a species hitherto unknown to science. This enormous turtle was christened Peltocephalus maturin, a nod to author Stephen King’s cosmic turtle character that birthed the universe with a bout of cosmic regurgitation.
The Peltocephalus maturin was closely related to the present-day aquatic big-headed Amazon River turtle (P. dumerilianus), but far surpassed it in size. While the contemporary species boasts a shell length of under 50 centimeters, the extinct P. maturin was multiple times larger.
Based on the jawbone, the P. maturin‘s shell is estimated to have been nearly 2 meters long. To illustrate, consider the silhouette of an average human holding a red balloon (another Stephen King reference). The P. maturin would dwarf this figure, showcasing its immense size.
The Peltocephalus maturin joins the ranks of the largest turtles to have ever existed. However, what sets it apart is its relatively recent existence.
Radiocarbon and geochemical analysis of the fossil suggests it lived between 40,000 and 9,000 years ago. This is far more recent than other giant freshwater turtles, such as Stupendemys, the largest freshwater turtle ever known that lived over 5 million years ago.
The researchers hypothesized that humans might have encountered these enormous turtles. Evidence of human habitation in the Amazon dates back to more than 11,000 years ago, making this co-existence a possibility.
Giant turtles have evolved across land, marine, and freshwater species throughout millions of years. However, the factors influencing their development remain unclear.
A study on turtle body size evolution suggested that freshwater turtles mostly maintain a homogeneous size over evolutionary time, occasionally giving rise to very large species. This contradicts previous theories that environmental temperatures might influence turtle body size, as seen in other vertebrate groups.
The discovery of Peltocephalus maturin opens new avenues for research. Unraveling the mystery behind the evolution of these giant turtles could provide crucial insights into past ecosystems and climate conditions, thereby aiding in understanding our planet’s history.
