thatnál

Thatnál is a genus of semi-aquatic and terrestrial turtles that belong to the family Podocnemididae. They are native to the Indian subcontinent and Madagascar, although their historical range may have been much wider.

The name "thatnál" was coined by paleontologist Pascal Tassy in 1988, and it is used to refer to several fossil and extant species of turtles within the genus. The word "thatnál" is derived from the Malagasy language, spoken on the island of Madagascar.

Turtles in the genus Thatnál are characterized by their relatively long limbs and claws, which they use for feeding and defense. The genus is often compared to the related genus Melanochelys, although it has distinct anatomical features such as the shape of the carapace and the arrangement of the scutes.

Geologists have discovered Thatnál fossils dating back to the Paleocene and Eocene epochs, within sedimentary and igneous rocks found in the Indian subcontinent and the Indian Ocean islands.

The taxonomy of Thatnál is still debated among scientists. Some researchers classify it as a synonym of the genus Melanochelys, while others consider it a distinct genus within the family Podocnemididae. Further research is needed to resolve the taxonomic status of Thatnál.