Staurotypus

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Cladus: Craniata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Cladus: Archelosauria
Division: Pan-Testudines
Division: Testudinata
Ordo: Testudines
Subordo: Cryptodira

Superfamilia: Chelydroidea
Familia: Kinosternidae
Subfamilia: Staurotypinae
Genus: Staurotypus
Species: †

S. moschus –

S. salvinii – S. triporcatus
Name

Staurotypus　Wagler, 1830
Vernacular names
English: Giant Musk Turtles
日本語: オオニオイガメ属

Staurotypus is a genus of aquatic turtles, commonly known as giant musk turtles, Mexican musk turtles, or three-keeled musk turtles, in the family Kinosternidae. The genus contains two recognized species, which are endemic to Mexico and Central America. Both species are sold and bred as pets.

Species

The following two species are recognized as being valid.[1]

Staurotypus salvinii Gray, 1864 – Chiapas giant musk turtle, giant musk turtle, Pacific coast giant musk turtle
Staurotypus triporcatus (Wiegmann, 1828) – Mexican musk turtle, Giant Mexican musk turtle

Geographic distribution

Both species of the genus Staurotypus are native to Mexico and Central America. S. salvinii is found primarily in Mexico, in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, but ranges south into Guatemala, El Salvador, and Belize. S. triporcatus is also found primarily in Mexico, and is more widespread, found in the states of Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Yucatán, and Campeche, and ranges south into Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.[citation needed]
Staurotypus triporcatus
(Mexican musk turtle or
narrow-bridged musk turtle)
Description

Species in the genus Staurotypus are typically much larger than other species of Kinosternidae, attaining a straight carapace length of up to 36 cm (14 in), with males being significantly smaller than females. Typically brown, black, or green in color, with yellow undersides, the carapace is distinguished by three distinct ridges, or keels, which run the length.[citation needed]

Staurotypus turtles exhibit XX/XY sex determination, in contrast to the temperature-dependent sex determination of most turtles.[2]
Diet

Like other musk turtle species, Staurotypus are carnivorous, eating various types of aquatic invertebrates, as well as fish and carrion.[citation needed]
References

Genus Staurotypus. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.

Badenhorst, Daleen; Stanyon, Roscoe; Engstrom, Tag; Valenzuela, Nicole (2013-04-01). "A ZZ/ZW microchromosome system in the spiny softshell turtle, Apalone spinifera, reveals an intriguing sex chromosome conservation in Trionychidae". Chromosome Research. 21 (2): 137–147. doi:10.1007/s10577-013-9343-2. ISSN 1573-6849.

External links

Genus Staurotypus at The Reptile Database
Turtles of the World - Staurotypus salvini & Staurotypus triporcatus