A new Shachemydinae (Chelonii, Cryptodira) from the Lower Cretaceous of Laos: preliminary data

The Lower Cretaceous of Laos produced remains of freshwater cryptodiran turtles including some elements of aff. Xinjiangcheys and of Trionychoidea: Trionychidae, Carettochelyidae and beautiful specimens of a new species of Shachemys. The latter is defined, compared and placed in the family Adocidae. The family is reconsidered and the subfamily Shachemydinae is confirmed; the latter ranges from the Upper Jurassic to the Senonian of Asia. Its good adaptation to aquatic life is asserted. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier SAS on behalf of Academie des sciences.