Alienochelys

Alienochelys ("strange turtle") is an extinct genus of marine turtle known from Maastrichian-aged Cretaceous phosphates in Morocco.^[1] With a skull measuring 41.5 centimetres (1.36 ft) long, it would have been a very large turtle.^[2] It was first described as a member of the family Dermochelyidae, meaning that it is a relative of the modern leatherback turtle,^[2] though a 2018 study identifies it as a sister taxon of Ocepechelon belonging to the family Protostegidae, indicating that it may have been closer to the extinct Archelon.^[3] Unlike other sea turtles, Alienochelys' the jaws being adapted for a powerful crushing pattern well adapted for a durophagous lifestyle, as well as its unusual cranial characteristics.^[2][4]

Alienochelys Temporal range: Late Cretaceous, 70–66 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Skull of specimen.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Family:	†Protostegidae
Genus:	†Alienochelys de Lapparent de Broin, 2014
Type species
†Alienochelys selloumi de Lapparent de Broin, 2014

Life restoration of Alienochelys (middle right) and other animals of the Ouled Abdoun Basin