Paleontologists from the Institute of Paleontology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Autonomous University of Barcelona have identified a new species within the genus Turtle, known as Manuria. This discovery is based on fossilized remains found in the Czech Republic.

Manulia morula thrived in the wetlands of what is now the Czech Republic during the early Miocene epoch, roughly 20 to 17 million years ago.

This species is recognized as the oldest member of Manuria, which currently exists solely in Southeast Asia and comprises four extinct species along with two living ones: Manulia Emmis and the impressed turtle (Manulia Impreza).

“Tortoise paleontologist Dr. Milan Kraust from the Institute of Paleontology of the Polish Academy of Sciences remarked, ‘Turtles of the family Testudinidae are a clade highly specialized for terrestrial environments, predominantly inhabiting semi-arid conditions.’

“Members of the Testudinidae family, with carapace lengths ranging from 35 to 75 cm (14 to 30 inches), are categorized as medium to large-sized turtles, while those exceeding 75 cm are classified as giant-sized turtles.”

“Extant species of the Testudinidae can be divided into three main groups: gophers and Manuria (which appears as a basal genus or continuous branch), geokerona clade, and test duna clade, with the latter two forming the subfamily Testudininae.”

The fossil remains of Manulia morula include parts of the carapace and plastron, along with numerous unidentified shell fragments, which were uncovered at the Arnikov I fossil site in the Most Basin of Bohemia.

The length of the turtle’s shell is estimated to have been around 50 cm (20 inches).

“The Anikov I area has long been recognized as a region where wetlands featuring flooded rivers and shallow lakes have been documented,” the paleontologists stated.

“The wetland habitat near the coast was also inferred from the abundance of juvenile crocodiles and potentially the presence of Coristodere.”

“However, based on research findings regarding this genus, Manuria suggests a humid forest of evergreen broad-leaved trees situated near water, characterized by a rainy season and a distinct drier, cooler season, reminiscent of the current Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand.”

The discovery of Manulia morula broadens the paleobiogeographical distribution of this genus, Manuria, extending its range from Asia into the heart of Europe.

“According to our findings, the genus Manuria originated in Europe just prior to the Miocene climate optimum, subsequently spreading to Asia, where it continues to thrive today,” the researchers elaborated.

These findings were published on October 3, 2025, in the Swiss Journal of Paleontology.

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M. Kraust et al. 2025. Manulia morula sp. Nov.: An ancient large turtle from a Miocene swamp in Anikov, Czech Republic. Swiss Journal of Paleontology 144, 63; doi: 10.1186/s13358-025-00400-6