| Meiolania | |
|---|---|
| |
| An artist's illustration of Meiolania brevicollis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Family: | †Meiolaniidae |
| Genus: | †Meiolania Owen, 1886 |
| Type species | |
| †Meiolania platyceps Owen, 1886 | |
| Referred species | |
| |
| Synonyms | |
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Meiolania ("lesser roamer" or "lesser butcher") is an extinct genus of stem-turtle from the Middle Miocene to the Holocene, with the last relict populations at New Caledonia which survived until 2,000 years ago. The animal was rather large, measuring 66.1 centimetres (26 inches) in height. It lived in Australia and New Caledonia, though remains have also been found on the island of Efate in Vanatu, associated with settlements from the Lapita culture. Meiolania fed on various herbaceous plants. The Meiolania specimens which were once living on New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island were much smaller than their giant relatives from the Australian continent. When the first fossil remains (a vertebra) were found, they were originally thought to be from a large monitor lizard, similar to, but smaller than Megalania (Varanus priscus), so the genus was named accordingly. Later, when more remains were found, it was realized that the "lesser roamer" was actually a turtle, and not a lizard.
Description[]
Behavior[]
Discovery and species[]
Extinction[]
In the Media[]
- Meiolania appeared in the PC game Zoo Tycoon.
- Meiolania appeared in the video game Jurassic Park Builder.
Gallery[]
References[]
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316514774