The genus Testudo was considered, for more than two centuries, to group almost all
tortoises that are part of current biodiversity (i.e. the members of Testudinidae),
as well as the extinct representatives of that successful lineage. However, only three
extant species, as well as scarce late Miocene to late Pliocene extinct ones, are
now considered attributable to that genus. The fossil record of the extinct representatives
is restricted to postcranial elements. They correspond almost exclusively to shells
or partial shells, most of the species being known on the basis of only one individual.
Abundant material of testudinids from the late Miocene of eastern Romania (Cretesti
1 fossil site, Vaslui County) is presented here. This material is attributable to
Testudo, representing a new species. This find is not only relevant for the abundance
of specimens, but they stand out for their unusually good preservation. Most of them
are represented by partial skeletons, preserving not only several bones in anatomical
connection but also some regions of the peculiar ossified dermal armour that covered
their limbs. Two of these skeletons preserve the skull, which allows us to perform
both the first three-dimensional reconstruction of the cranial anatomy and the first
neuroanatomical study of an extinct member of Testudo. The best-preserved extinct
species of the reference genus of the only extant lineage of tortoises (i.e. Testudinidae),
Testudo lohanica sp. nov., is characterized in detail.
