The Tatacoa Desert, in the Colombian department of Huila, has once again become a paleontological landmark with the announcement of a fossil turtle that inaugurates a new genus and species: Shakiremys colombiana . The research was led by specialists from the University of Rosario in collaboration with the Tatacoa Natural History Museum.
The species, dating to the Middle Miocene, is known from two specimens recovered in 2022 near the town of La Victoria. The team documented a complete skull articulated to its carapace and a second carapace , a rare assemblage that has allowed for detailed anatomical analysis and taxonomic validation.
What is Shakiremys Colombiana and why does it matter?
Shakiremys colombiana belongs to the Podocnemididae family, a lineage of freshwater turtles currently found in South America and Madagascar. Its most striking feature is an anatomical mosaic that combines characteristics of several clades , something uncommon in the fossil record of this group.
This combination of traits places the new taxon in a key position for interpreting the evolution of podocnemidids. According to the study, the species fits as an intermediate form in morphological terms, providing information on historical biogeographical connections between northern South America and the Malagasy region.
The paleoenvironmental context is equally relevant: the fossils come from the La Venta biome, a collection of river sediments that, between 13 and 15 million years ago, formed a network of rivers and lakes during the Andean formation . This setting would have favored a diversity of habitats for the turtles.
According to the team, the degree of preservation makes these materials one of the most complete fossil turtle records in the area, a solid starting point for comparison with current and extinct species from the Neotropical region.
The discovery in La Tatacoa: pieces and methods
The specimens were recovered from two locations in La Victoria, within the La Venta archaeological site. They come from the San Alfonso strata (La Victoria Formation) , whose radiometric dating places their age at around 13,7 million years.
After the excavation, the pieces were transported to Bogotá for computed tomography. The imaging technique allowed for the reconstruction of the skull's neuroanatomy and a comparison of internal details with closely related modern turtles, refining the diagnosis of the new genus.
The fieldwork and laboratory work spanned approximately two and a half years , from the recovery and preparation of the fossils to their publication in the international journal Papers in Palaeontology. The study was co-authored by, among others, Edwin A. Cadena (Universidad del Rosario), David E. Leal Amaya, Andrés and Rubén D. Vanegas (Museo de La Tatacoa), and Lino JE Guevara Serrano.
The observed set of characteristics supports the proposal of Shakiremys as a new genus within Podocnemididae , with diagnostic traits not found in previously described members. Specimens are preserved in the custody of the La Tatacoa Natural History Museum.
A versatile turtle: habitat and diet
The analysis suggests that the species was able to occupy different freshwater environments, from dark to clear waters , a versatility that would have favored its success in dynamic Miocene ecosystems.
The cranial and shell morphology points to a probably omnivorous diet , consistent with its apparent ability to take advantage of varied resources and coexist with other turtles in the La Venta biome.
The local record documents a remarkable diversity of turtles: Chelus colombianus , Mesoclemmys vanegasorum , Podocnemis pritchardi , P. medemi , P. tatacoensis , and giant forms such as Stupendemys geographica or Caninemys tridentata . In this context, Shakiremys colombiana expands the evolutionary range of Podocnemididae in northern South America.
For the international scientific community, including the European one, the find offers a point of comparison with the most complete skeleton of a prehistoric turtle in Europe , refining hypotheses about the dispersal and adaptation of freshwater turtles on a global scale.
Science with a local touch and debate about names
The research is supported by a local science ecosystem that has grown in the last decade in La Tatacoa. Local residents and science communicators, such as brothers Rubén and Andrés Vanegas , have promoted the Natural History Museum and participated directly in the recovery and preparation of the material.
The proposed name combines the Greek root used in taxonomy for turtles ( mys ) with that of the Colombian artist Shakira. The authors explain that, in addition to being a tribute with a clear cultural connection , the name aims to bring paleontology closer to the general public without sacrificing scientific rigor.
However, there is debate within the academic community about using the names of real people for new species. Some have raised objections in specialized forums, while others defend their potential for communicating complex findings to a wider audience.
The fossils were prepared in the Valerie Anders Laboratory at the museum and are on display in La Victoria (Villavieja, Huila) . The team has also created a 3D reconstruction based on the tomography scans, with potential for new lines of research and educational activities.
The discovery consolidates La Venta as one of the key neotropical sites for studying the evolution of ecosystems and vertebrates during the Miocene, and reinforces the importance of protecting paleontological heritage.
With well-preserved specimens, a well-supported diagnosis, and a precise geological context, Shakiremys colombiana joins the repertoire of species that help us understand how tropical environments in South America changed. The combination of fieldwork, tomography, and local collaboration has allowed this turtle to be established as a benchmark for future comparisons in the Americas and Europe.