We here describe a small turtle assemblage originating from the early Tortonian (late
Miocene) palaeoisland of Scontrone, central Italy, a locality previously known mostly
for its endemic mammals and giant birds, which were otherwise shared only with the
Gargano localities, another fossiliferous area belonging to the same palaeobioprovince.
The fossil turtle remains from Scontrone are referred to the geoemydid Mauremys sp.
and a so far unidentified large-sized testudinid. The biogeographic origins of the
Scontrone insular chelonians are discussed. The Scontrone geoemydid adds to the known
occurrences of Mauremys in the late Miocene of the Mediterranean. The Scontrone large
tortoise represents the oldest known Mediterranean insular testudinid, predating significantly
the well-known Quaternary endemic island tortoises of the area. (C) 2021 The Author(s).
Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.
