Mexican musk turtle

Mexican musk turtle
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Testudines
Suborder:Cryptodira
Family:Kinosternidae
Genus:Staurotypus
Species: S. triporcatus
Binomial name
Staurotypus triporcatus
(Wiegmann, 1828)
Synonyms[1]
  • Terrapene triporcata
    Wiegmann, 1828
  • Staurotypus triporcatus
    — Wagler, 1830
  • Emys (Kinosternon) triporcata
    — Gray, 1831
  • Kinosternon triporcatum
    — Gray, 1831
  • Clemmys (Staurotypus) triporcata — Fitzinger, 1835
  • Claudius pictus Cope, 1872
  • Staurotipus triporcatus
    — Sumichrast, 1882
  • Staurotypus triporeatus
    Thatcher, 1963 (ex errore)
  • Clemmys (Staurotypus) triporcatus — H.M. Smith & R.B. Smith, 1980
  • Staurotipus tripocartus
    Ippi & Flores, 2001 (ex errore)

The Mexican musk turtle or narrow-bridged musk turtle (Staurotypus triporcatus) is a species of turtles in the Kinosternidae family. It is found in Central America and Mexico.

Distribution

Description

They are typically much larger than other species of Kinosternidae, attaining sizes of up to 36 cm (14 in) in carapace length, with males being significantly smaller than females. They are typically brown, black, or green in color, with a yellow underside. Their carapaces are distinguished by three distinct ridges, or keels, which run their length.

Diet

Like other musk turtle species, they are carnivorous, eating various types of aquatic invertebrates, as well as fish and carrion.

References

  1. ↑ Fritz, Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 261–262. ISSN 1864-5755. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2012.

Further reading

  • Wiegmann, A.F.A. 1828. Beyträge zu Amphibienkunde. Isis von Oken 21: 364–383.


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