Alternatively, "Pelomedusidae" may refer to the Pelomedusoidea. See below for details.
Pelomedusidae
Pelomedusa subrufa, African helmeted turtle
Scientific classification
Domain:
Eukaryota
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Reptilia
Order:
Testudines
Suborder:
Pleurodira
Hyperfamily:
Pelomedusoides
Family:
Pelomedusidae Cope, 1868
Genera
Pelomedusa Wagler, 1830
Pelusios Wagler, 1830
Synonyms
Pelomedusinae Cope, 1868
Pelomedusidae is a family of freshwater turtles endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, including Madagascar, São Tomé, and the Seychelles (although this population may have been introduced by humans). They range in size from 12 to 45 cm (4.7 to 17.7 in) in carapace length, and are generally roundish in shape. They are unable to fully withdraw their heads into their shells, instead drawing them to the side and folding them beneath the upper edge of their shells, hence are called African side-necked turtles.
The family contains two living genera, Pelomedusa and Pelusios. They are distinguished from their closest relatives by a hinge in the front section of the plastron.[1]
Pelomedusids spends most of their time in the mud at the bottom of rivers or shallow lakes, where they eat invertebrates, such as insects, mollusks, and worms. Many species aestivate through the dry season, burying themselves in the mud.[1]
^ abObst, Fritz Jürgen (1998): [Pelomedusinae]. In: Cogger, H.G., & Zweifel, R.G. (eds.): Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians: 112-113. San Diego: Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-178560-2.
Alternatively, "Pelomedusidae" may refer to the Pelomedusoidea. See below for details. Pelomedusidae is a family of freshwater turtles endemic to sub-Saharan...
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Chelidae, also known as the Austro-South American side-necked turtles, the Pelomedusidae, also known as the African mud terrapins, and the Podocnemididae, also...
the cape terrapin, is a species of side-necked terrapin in the family Pelomedusidae. It is endemic to South Africa, Eswatini and southern Mozambique. The...
hinged terrapin (Pelusios sinuatus) is a species of turtle in the family Pelomedusidae. The species is native to East Africa and Southern Africa. There are...
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terrapin or variable hinged terrapin, is a species of turtle in the family Pelomedusidae. It is widely distributed in Central, East, and Southern Africa. The...
long necks, and fold them sideways to align them with the shell. The Pelomedusidae and Chelidae are the only extant families of pleurodires. The Cryptodirans...
Subclass: Anapsida Order: Testudines Suborder: Pleurodira Family Chelidae Pelomedusidae Podocnemididae Phylogenetic arrangement of turtles based on Turtles...
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