Odontochelys preserves a ventral–dorsal shell mosaic
Three named specimens preserve a developed plastron, expanded ribs and dorsal neural plates without a complete carapace, separating observed anatomy from proposed assembly order and habitat.
Represented range237–227.3 Ma
RegionsGuanling Formation, Guizhou, China
CladesPan-Testudines · Odontochelys semitestacea
Claim ledger
morphology · medium
Odontochelys specimens IVPP V 15639, V 13240 and V 15653 preserve a developed plastron with expanded ribs and neural plates but no complete carapace; plastron-first assembly, basal topology and habitat remain interpretations.