Palaeotrionyx

taxobox
name = "Palaeotrionyx"
status = fossil
fossil_range = Paleocene
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
ordo = Testudines
subordo = Cryptodira
familia = Trionychidae
genus = "Palaeotrionyx"

"Palaeotrionyx" ('dawn three-claw') is an extinct genus of cryptodire turtle from the Paleocene epoch, belonging to the extant softshell turtle family. It was about 45 cm (1 ft 6 in) long.

"Palaeotrionyx", like its modern relatives, had no scutes on its carapace, which probably had leathery, pliable skin at the sides. Its feet sported only three digits—a typical trait of the family. Unlike its short-necked relatives, "Palaeotrionyx" had a long neck. Based on the diet of modern softshell turtles, it was an omnivore, which means it ate plant and animal matter.