Alienochelys Temporal range: Late Cretaceous, 70–66  Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Skull of specimen.
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Family:	† Protostegidae
Genus:	† Alienochelys de Lapparent de Broin, 2014
Type species
†Alienochelys selloumi de Lapparent de Broin, 2014

Alienochelys ("strange turtle") is an extinct genus of marine turtle known from Maastrichian-aged Cretaceous phosphates in Morocco. ^[1] With a skull measuring 41.5 centimetres (1.36 ft) long, it would have been a very large turtle. ^[2] It was first described as a member of the family Dermochelyidae, meaning that it is a relative of the modern leatherback turtle, ^[2] though a 2018 study identifies it as a sister taxon of Ocepechelon belonging to the family Protostegidae, indicating that it may have been closer to the extinct Archelon. ^[3] Unlike other sea turtles, Alienochelys' the jaws being adapted for a powerful crushing pattern well adapted for a durophagous lifestyle, as well as its unusual cranial characteristics. ^{[2] [4]}

References

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