Baenidae is an extinct family of paracryptodiran turtles known from the Early Cretaceous to the Eocene of North America. The name of the type genus, Baena, appears to be of Native American origin, likely from the Arapaho be’enoo. They are primarily found in freshwater deposits, and are considered to be aquatic, with a largely generalist habit.
Evolutionary history During the Early Cretaceous they were found across North America however by the Late Cretaceous they are only found in Laramidia having disappeared from Appalachia. Most lineages survived the K-Pg Extinction, but the family was extinct by the latest Eocene.
Taxonomy
Genera This family contains numerous genes. A list of them can be found below: †Arundelemys †Arvinachelys †Baena †Cedrobaena †Chisternon †Edowa †Gamerabaena †Gehennachelys †Hayemys †Lakotemys Lakota Formation, Berriasian-Valanginian †Neurankylus †Palatobaena †Peckemys †Plesiobaena †Protobaena †Denazinemys †Saxochelys †Stygiochelys †Thescelus †Trinitichelys
Phylogeny The following cladogram shows the taxonomy and phylogeny of baenids according to Joyce & Lyson (2015).
References
External links
http://www.nhm.org/site/sites/default/files/dinosaur_institute/pdf/NHM_DI_proytecto_dino_Erika_Canola_Baenidae_Turtle_experience.pdf