An unprecedented discovery in Colombian paleontology has just been revealed in the Tatacoa desert, in the department of Huila, south of the country. Scientists from the Universidad del Rosario and the La Tatacoa Natural History Museum announced the discovery of Shakiremys colombiana, a turtle fossil approximately 13 million years old that belongs to a new genus and species previously unknown to science.
The reptile, which inhabited the region during the Middle Miocene, was named in honor of Colombian singer Shakira, as part of a promise made by paleontologist Edwin Cadena, the lead researcher on the project.
How was the 13-million-year-old turtle fossil discovered in Colombia’s Tatacoa desert?
The discovery took place in the municipality of Villavieja, in an area of the Tatacoa desert known for its rich paleontological record. An interdisciplinary team of researchers located exceptionally well-preserved remains, including the shell and fragments of the skull — an uncommon find in turtle fossils of such antiquity.
The project, led by Cadena and supported by young scientists from the La Tatacoa Natural History Museum, required weeks of meticulous excavation. The team used delicate extraction techniques to ensure the preservation of the fossil material, given its age and fragility.
Once the pieces were recovered, they were transported to Bogota for detailed analysis in the laboratories of the Universidad del Rosario. There, researchers confirmed that it was a previously unrecorded species with unique anatomical traits.
The researchers determined that Shakiremys colombiana had adaptations that allowed it to live in different aquatic environments and that its diet was likely omnivorous. “This versatility would have allowed it to coexist with several turtle species in the diverse aquatic ecosystem that existed in the Tatacoa region millions of years ago,” Cadena explained.
A new genus offering clues about evolution
Shakiremys colombiana belongs to the Podocnemididae family, which still includes freshwater turtles inhabiting river basins such as the Amazon, Orinoco, and Magdalena. However, the researchers found a set of characteristics that did not match any known species in this family, allowing them to classify it as a new genus.
The fossil combines both ancient and modern features — a true “evolutionary mosaic” that could provide key insights into the diversification and adaptation of South American turtles during the Miocene. The findings were officially published in the scientific journal Papers in Palaeontology.
In addition to its scientific value, this discovery reaffirms the importance of the Tatacoa Desert as one of the most significant paleontological sites in South America. The region has yielded remains of giant crocodiles, prehistoric sloths, and large turtles, allowing scientists to reconstruct the ancient ecosystems that once existed in what is now an arid desert.
Why this name?
The name Shakiremys colombiana is no coincidence. Cadena had promised to name an exceptional discovery after Shakira, in recognition of her cultural impact and the way she has represented Colombia around the world.
The gesture has sparked curiosity and enthusiasm among the public, creating a unique connection between paleontology and popular culture. According to the researchers, such initiatives help bring science closer to society and foster interest in the country’s biodiversity and natural history.