ANALYSIS OF THE SEXUAL VARIABILITY IN THE SHELL OF THE SPANISH UPPER CRETACEOUS TURTLE DORTOKA VASCONICA (PAN-PLEURODIRA, DORTOKIDAE)

The present study characterizes the morphological variability related to the sexual dimorphism in the shells of the Spanish Upper Cretaceous turtle  Dortoka vasconica . This study is based on the material from its type locality: Lano, Burgos. Two morphotypes were identified there based on the posterior plastral area as well as two for the anterior plastral lobe. However, a correlation with the previously indicated morphotypes could not be established due to the disarticulation of the specimens and the limited information available on the sexual dimorphism of Pleurodira. The morphological variability previously identified for  Dortoka vasconica  is analysed here through a quantitative approa…