What is "eunotosaurus"

Eunotosaurus is an extinct genus of reptile, possibly a close relative of turtles, from the late Middle Permian ( Capitanian stage) Karoo Supergroup of South Africa. It is often considered as a possible " missing link" between turtles and their prehistoric ancestors. Its ribs were wide and flat, forming broad plates similar to a primitive turtle shell, and the vertebrae were nearly identical to those of some turtles. It is possible that these turtle-like features evolved independently of the same features in turtles, though some studies suggest Eunotosaurus is a genuine, primitive turtle relative.