Turtles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scientific classification | ||||||||||
|
Table of contents |
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
Suborder Cryptodira
Classification of Turtles
Order Testudines - Turtles
Suborder Pleurodira
References
" class="external">http://www.innvista.com/taxonomy/reptiles/default.htm
as of 2002-06-16
" class="external">http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/anapsids/testudines/testudines.html
as of 2002-06-17