Lab 3: Turtles Flashcards
Main species of Crocodylia (order), crocodylidae (family)
1) Alligator mississippiensis
2) Caiman crocodilus
3) Crocodylus acutus
Family of Rhynchocephalia
Sphenodontidae–>sphenodon punctatus (tuatara)
Characteristics of Chelydra serpentina
Chelydridae
Snapping turtle
Reduced plastron
Large head
No supramarginals
carapace NOT strongly keeled
Characteristics of Sternotherus odoratus
Kinosternidae
10-11 scutes on plastron
NO contact with marginals (between pectoral scutes and carapace)
Shields of carapace do NOT overlap
Characteristics of Clemmys guttata
Emydidae
Dark carapace with small scattered spots
Dark blotches on plastron
Smooth carapace
Characteristics of Glyptemys insculpta
Emydidae
Ridges on carapace scutes
Upper jaw is narrow and NOT notched
Bright yellow, orange, or red on body
Characteristics of Emydoidea blandingi
Emydidae
Blanding’s turtle
Upper jaw notched at anterior tip
Plastron with well developed hinge
12 scute plastron
Characteristics of Graptemys geographica
Emydidae
Longitudinal light mark behind eye
No projections on carapace
12 scute plastron
Swirly squiggle pattern on carapace
Striped neck
Characteristics of Chrysemys picta
Emydidae
12 scute plastron
Smooth carapace
High contrast pattern on marginal scutes
Yellow patches on neck
Characteristics of Apalone spinifera
tubular snout
Pancake (flattened body)
Webbed feet with claws
Characteristics of Dermochelys coriacea
Dermochelydae
leatherback sea turtle
Paddle-like limbs
longitudinal ridges on carapace and plastron
Characteristic of Trionychidae
Soft shelled turtles
Tubular snout
Flattened body
Webbed feet with claws
Characteristic of Cheloniidae
Sea turtles
Strictly marine
Limbs are paddle-like
Characteristic of Chelydridae
Snapping turtles
reduced plastron
Large head
long tail (more than half the carapace)
Cryptodira
Characteristic of Emydidae
Pond turtles
12 scutes on plastron
pectoral scutes form bridge with carapace and contact marginals
