Compsemys imbricarius, Cope, 1876

Cope, E. D., 1876, Descriptions of some vertebrate remains from the Fort Union beds of Montana, Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 28, pp. 248-261 : 257

Compsemys imbricarius , sp. nov.

This species, like the others of the genus, has the scutal sutures well defined, and the superficial surface of the carapace sculptured. The character of this sculpture distinguishes the species, and in the present instance in a special manner. It consists, in the C. imbricarius , of excavations bounded on the sides by a short ridge each, which alternate with each otlher. Thus each bounding ridge terminates abruptly at the fundus of one of the fosse, while the other end of the fossa rises and contracts to another ridge. The result is precisely that seen in the interior sculpture of Saracenic domes or niches, and is one which is quite unique among tortoises. The direction of the ridges is, at right angles to the costal dermal sutures. This species was about as large as the snapping tortoise ( Chelydra serpentina ).