At Langebaanweg, South Africa, a remarkable fossil discovery has shed new light on the history of ancient tortoises. Meet Chersina langebaanwegi, a newly described species that lived approximately 5.2 million years ago during the Early Pliocene, a period of significant climate and ecosystem change on Earth. The description was based on a nearly complete, well-preserved shell, along with numerous partial shells and isolated elements. It is the oldest known fossil of the genus Chersina, making it an important piece in understanding how tortoises evolved over time.

Published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, this research was conducted by Professor Massimo Delfino (University of Turin and Catalan Institute of Palaeontology), Dr Brigett Cohen (Genus Palaeosciences, Wits University) and their colleagues, building on decades of fossil discoveries at Langebaanweg. The team meticulously examined large collections of bones stored in museums to bring this ancient tortoise’s story to life.

Describing Chersina langebaanwegi was no small feat. “The turtle remains from Langebaanweg were known for more than 50 years,” explains Prof Delfino. “Besides the erection of a new large-sized species based on very few remains, no comprehensive work had been done on a collection that encompasses tens of thousands of bones.” This massive collection represents a rare opportunity to study an ancient turtle assemblage, and the researchers began by focusing on the most common species in the fossil record, naming it after the site itself.

According to co-author Dr Cohen, the sheer abundance of these tortoise fossils made the discovery particularly exciting. “Tortoise remains are singly the most common find at Langebaanweg,” she says. “Walk anywhere in the quarry, and you’ll find tortoise fossils scattered on the ground like confetti. I’m excited to finally put a name and identity to this species.”

Fossils like these offer a snapshot of life in the Pliocene, a period about 5.33 to 2.58 million years ago when the Earth was cooling from a greenhouse state, and South Africa’s landscapes were evolving. This discovery also reshapes our understanding of the genus Chersina. “Now we can assume that the living Angulate Tortoise (Chersina angulata) was preceded by this earlier species,” says Prof Delfino. “It’s a superficially similar but at the same time very different tortoise, living in the same area.”

The road to naming the new species wasn’t without challenges. The researchers had to thoroughly examine hundreds of bones stored in museum collections. “Before he had even looked through the first box, Massimo knew this was a new species,” recalls Dr Cohen. However, a full review was necessary to be thorough. “This meant I had to unstrap and open 80 boxes, and it was only after doing that we discovered a complete shell on display at the West Coast Fossil Park,” she explains. Visitors to the fossil park can view a 3D printed replica of Chersina langebaanwegi, as well as other remarkable fossils from the site.

While this study has clarified much about this ancient tortoise’s history, it also opens the door to further research. “There are still lots of undetermined remains of turtles from Langebaanweg that we plan to study step by step,” says Prof Delfino. Identifying rare turtle taxa is particularly challenging due to the limited documentation of modern southern African turtles’ bone structure and anatomy. “We should, sooner or later, plan the production of an osteological atlas of southern African turtles,” he suggests, emphasizing its value not just for palaeontological sites like Langebaanweg but also for palaeoanthropological and archaeological research.

Understanding the traits of this ancient tortoise also provides lessons for modern conservation. “The new species we just described roots in space and time the origin of the living Angulate Tortoise,” says Prof Delfino. “This emphasizes the responsibility that South Africa has for the conservation of this species—a species the country should be very proud of.”

The unique features of Chersina langebaanwegi, like its highly domed shell and long anterior projection on the plastron (lower shell), offer clues to its behaviour. These traits may have supported activities such as male-male combat, where the tortoises use the bony projection at the front of the shell like a lever to flip over their opponents, or enabled them to right themselves if toppled.

With so many fossils yet to be analysed, Langebaanweg holds immense potential for future discoveries, offering exciting opportunities to unravel the history of ancient creatures. “The incredibly high number of fossil remains and the very high diversity at Langebaanweg is a dream—and at the same time a very challenging task—for anyone interested in working with fossil turtles,” says Prof Delfino.