Agomphus

Agomphus Temporal range: Campanian-Eocene ~83.6–54  Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Superfamily:	Kinosternoidea
Genus:	† Agomphus Cope 1871 [1]
Species
Agomphus alabamensis Agomphus oxysternum Agomphus pectoralis

Agomphus is a genus of extinct turtles in the family Kinosternoidea. It existed from the Late Cretaceous to Eocene. Fossils have been found in the Eastern United States (such as in Georgia, New Jersey, South Carolina and Alabama). ^[2]

Discovery

Agomphus was named by Edward Drinker Cope in the 1870s, the type specimen was found in New Jersey. ^{[3] [4]}

Description

Agomphus is identified as a kinosternoid turtle by features such as costiform processes, a thickened, cross-shaped plastron, and the absence of extragular scutes. It is classified as a pan-dermatemydid due to the contact between the inguinal buttress and the eighth peripheral bone. Agomphus can be distinguished from other pan-dermatemydids by its short axillary buttresses, a highly domed shell (carapace), and broad neural bones. ^[2]

References

1. "†Agomphus Cope 1871 (mud turtle)". PBDB.org.
2. Joyce, Walter G.; Bourque, Jason R. (April 2016). "A Review of the Fossil Record of Turtles of the Clade Pan-Kinosternoidea" . Bulletin of the Peabody Museum of Natural History. 57 (1): 57–95. Bibcode:2016BPMNH..57...57J. doi:10.3374/014.057.0104. ISSN   0079-032X.
3. Wieland, G. R. (1905-12-01). "Structure of the Upper Cretaceous turtles of New Jersey; Agomphus" . American Journal of Science. s4-20 (120): 430–444. Bibcode:1905AmJS...20..430W. doi:10.2475/ajs.s4-20.120.430. ISSN   0002-9599.
4. Cope, Edward D. (1870-12-31), "Synopsis of the Extinct Batrachia, Reptilia, and Aves of North America" , Transactions of The American Philosophical Society Press, pp. 1–252, doi:10.70249/9798893984743-006 , retrieved 2025-06-04