Testudines

Turtles
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Subclass: Anapsida Order: Testudines

Table of contents

1 Synonyms and common names 2 Text 3 Classification of Turtles 4 Order Testudines - Turtles 5 References

Synonyms and common names

Turtles, terrapins, tortoises

Text

Leatherback turtle. Photo credit: NOAA

Testudines is the order of reptiles containing all turtles. All living turtles are in Chelonia; but some extinct turtles are Testudines but not Chelonia.

Testudines are anapsids, that is, their skulls lack temporal openings, and they are classified by cladists in the taxon Anapsida. All other extant amniotes have temporal openings (although in mammals the hole is obscured).

See Also: Jackson Ratio

Classification of Turtles

Order Testudines - Turtles

Suborder Cryptodira

• Family Chelydridae (Snapping Turtles)
• Superfamily Testudinoidea
• Family Testudinidae (Tortoises)
• Family Bataguridae (Asian River Turtles, Leaf and Roofed Turtles, Asian Box Turtles)
• Family Emydidae (Pond Turtles/Box and Water Turtles)

• Superfamily Trionychoidea
• Family Carettochelyidae (Pignose Turtles)
• Family Trionychidae (Softshell Turtles)

• Superfamily Kinosternoidea
• Family Dermatemydidae (River Turtles)
• Family Kinosternidae (Mud and Musk Turtles)
• Family Platysternidae (Big-headed Turtles)

• '''Superfamily Chelonioidea
• Family Cheloniidae (Sea Turtles)
• Family Dermochelyidae (Leatherback Turtles)

Suborder Pleurodira

• Family Chelidae (Austro-American Sideneck Turtles)

• Superfamily Pelomedusoidea
• Family Pelomedusidae (Afro-American Sideneck Turtles)
• Family Podocnemididae (Madagascan Big-headed and American Sideneck River Turtles)

References

http://www.innvista.com/taxonomy/reptiles/default.htm
as of 2002-06-16
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/anapsids/testudines/testudines.html
as of 2002-06-17