There are 7 existing species of sea turtles, with the genus Lepidochelys consisting of 2 of them: the olive ridley and the Kemps ridley. Regardless of being among the most common sea turtles in much of the Caribbean Sea and elsewhere, these species have a mostly mystical history and evolutionary background. Recently, the discovery of a turtle shell fossil on the Caribbean coast of Panama has actually shed light on their ancient past, representing the oldest fossil proof of these turtles to date.
Fossil remains of a turtle shell from 6 million years ago were discovered in Piña Beach, on the Caribbean coast of Panama. Credit: Carlos De Gracia, University of Vienna and STRI
In addition to finding the earliest record of Lepidochelys turtles, the researchers discovered something unexpected in the fossil bones of this turtle: traces of DNA. After detecting preserved bone cells (osteocytes) with nucleus-like structures, they used a service called DAPI to evaluate for the presence of the genetic product.
” Within the entire vertebrate fossil record in the world, this had just been formerly reported in two dinosaur fossils, consisting of one of Tyrannosaurus rex,” Dr. Cadena explained, referring to the ancient DNA.
Implications for Molecular Paleontology
This discovery gives the fossil vertebrates protected on the Caribbean coast of Panama huge importance not only for comprehending biodiversity at the time of the development of the Isthmus of Panama, which divided the Caribbean from the Pacific and joined North and South America, however also for comprehending the preservation of soft tissues and possible original living matter such as proteins and DNA, vital elements of an emerging field referred to as Molecular Paleontology.
” The Caribbean fossils from Panama that we have actually handled to rescue throughout the years are helping to reword the history of marine vertebrates of the Isthmus,” said Carlos De Gracia, co-author of the research study and a doctoral fellow associated with STRI who is funded by Panamas Office for Science and Technology (SENACYT).
Referral: “An Upper Miocene marine turtle from Panama that protects osteocytes with potential DNA” by Edwin-Alberto Cadena, Carlos De Gracia and Diego A. Combita-Romero, 23 November 2023, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.DOI: 10.1080/ 02724634.2023.2254356.
This research arised from cooperation between the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Universidad del Rosario..
The research study was moneyed by the Universidad del Rosario and the National Secretary of Science and Technology of Panama..
The researchers found maintained bone cells in the carapace, which exhibited structures like the nucleus of a cell, where DNA traces were found. Credit: Dr. Edwin Cadena, Universidad del Rosario and STRI
There are seven existing types of sea turtles, with the genus Lepidochelys consisting of two of them: the olive ridley and the Kemps ridley. Regardless of being amongst the most typical sea turtles in much of the Caribbean Sea and somewhere else, these species have a mostly strange history and evolutionary background. Recently, the discovery of a turtle shell fossil on the Caribbean coast of Panama has clarified their ancient past, representing the earliest fossil evidence of these turtles to date.
A Glimpse into the Miocene Epoch
The discovery of the fossil in the Chagres Formation indicates that this turtle lived approximately 6 million years back in Panama in the upper Miocene Epoch, a time when the world was getting cooler and drier, with ice building up at the poles, sea levels falling, and reduced rainfall.
The remains were examined by a team of paleontologists led by Dr. Edwin Cadena of the Universidad del Rosario in Bogotá, Colombia, who is likewise a research study partner at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.