New study reveals fossilized plants are actually baby turtles
A recent re-examination of two small, oval fossils originally thought to be prehistoric plants has revealed that they are actually the remains of baby marine turtles. Originally discovered in Colombia between 132 and 113 million years ago, the fossils were initially believed to represent a species of sphenophyllum, an extinct plant related to modern “horsetails”. However, experts have now discovered that the fossils are actually the hard shells, or carapaces, of marine turtles.
Prof Edwin Cadena of the Universidad del Rosario in Bogotá, a co-author of the study, explained that during the re-examination of the fossils, researchers observed a delicate layer of spongy bone tissue, leading them to rule out the possibility that these fossils were from plants. Instead, the team compared the fossils with specimens of living marine turtles and fossils of another species of sphenophyllum, and discovered that the oval fossils were actually the hard shells of marine turtles.
The researchers determined that the turtles were likely less than a year old, and possibly of the species Desmatochelys padillai, which was a type of protostegid, a group of extinct marine turtles. In a nod to the early misidentification, the team has nicknamed the fossils “Turtwig”, after a Pokémon character that is half-turtle and half-plant.
Dr Nick Fraser, an expert in vertebrate palaeontology at National Museums Scotland, noted that the new interpretation made much more sense, as sphenophyllum existed in the Palaeozoic era, whereas the deposits the fossils were found in date from the later Mesozoic era.
Prof Andy Gale, a geologist and palaeontologist at the University of Portsmouth, added that he was “absolutely sure” the specimens were hatchling turtles rather than a plant, calling the misidentification an unusual occurrence that demonstrates the tendency to see what one wants to see.
The study, published in the journal Palaeontologia Electronica, has sparked a new perspective on the fossils and shed light on the importance of re-examining and challenging long-standing interpretations in the field of paleontology. The discovery of the true identity of the fossils serves as a reminder of the need for critical analysis and constant revision of scientific knowledge.