First cranial remains of Cheirogaster richardi (Testudines: Testudinidae) from the Late Miocene of Ecoparc de Can Mata (Vallès-Penedès Basin, NE Iberian Peninsula): taxonomic and phylogenetic implications

Given that the holotype of C. richardi (from the early Vallesian of els Hostalets de Pierola) has been destroyed, to clarify the taxonomic status of this taxon we here designate one of the two ECM skulls as the neotype of the species. On this basis, an emended diagnosis is provided, which leads us to conclude that two different species are recorded from the Iberian Miocene: C. bolivari , from the middle Aragonian of the inner Iberian basins; and C. richardi , from the latest Aragonian and Vallesian of the Vallès-Penedès Basin.

Additional cranial material of Cheirogaster from inner Iberia would be required to clarify whether these species display distinct geographical distributions and/or different chronostratigraphical ranges. A cladistic analysis of Testudinidae based on cranial morphology supports a sister-taxon relationship between Cheirogaster and Centrochelys . Overall, our results highlight the significance of cranial morphology for attaining a better understanding of turtle taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships.