Meiolania platyceps

Overview

Meiolania platyceps is a turtle known for backward-curving head horns and a nearly round carapace. Bony rings and a terminal club are described on its tail. Different protective structures extend from head to tail.^[1]

Key facts

Its short neck and horns are described as preventing it from retracting its head completely. This suggests that turtles did not all protect their heads in the same way.^[1]

Time and place

It is known from Pleistocene material from Lord Howe Island. The Pleistocene spanned approximately 2.6 million–12,000 years ago. Its head, carapace, limbs, and tail have been studied in several publications.^[2][3]

The time range describes source context, not the complete duration of this species.

Size, form and skeleton

A pair of backward-curving horns, a nearly round carapace, and short, sturdy limbs are described. The bony rings of the tail are open underneath, with a club at the end. The rigid structures of the head, back, and tail can be compared.^[1][2]

The Australian Museum presents it as a terrestrial turtle approximately 2.5 m long.^[4]

Habitat and reproduction

Did this turtle live in water or on land? A 2015 review discussed interpretations supporting a terrestrial lifestyle based on comparisons of limb and foot structure. This offered a way of life different from earlier aquatic proposals.^[2]

Fossil discovery

In 1925, Anderson recorded the form of Meiolania and new occurrences. A comprehensive review of the fossil record of meiolaniform turtles followed in 2015. Several studies explain head retraction and the structures of the limbs and tail.^[1][2]

References

1. Anderson (1925) — Morphology and occurrences of Meiolania
2. Sterli (2015) — Fossil record of meiolaniform turtles
3. International Commission on Stratigraphy (2024) — Geological time chart
4. Australian Museum — Meiolania platyceps
5. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences — Puppigerus R0073
6. Lapparent de Broin et al. (2018) — Comparison of fossil turtle skulls and carapaces

Research questions

Is a ring-shaped bone closed on every side? Meiolania’s tail rings are described as open underneath. This feature encourages consideration of unseen directions as well as the outline viewed from the side.^[1]

Observation

Move your gaze from the backward-curving head horns to the round carapace. Examining the short, sturdy limbs, tail rings, and terminal club in sequence reveals different arrangements at the front and back of the body.^[1][2]