EMYSystem Text Only Family Page: Chelidae
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order..........TESTUDINES (turtles, tortoises and terrapins)
family...........Chelidae (Austro-American Side-necked Turtles)
subfamily
genus
species
subfamily list
Austrochelidinae
Chelidinae
Hydromedusinae
Note - informational or help links appear in red.
- Original Description
- Gray 1831b : 37
- Original name
- Chelidina
- Common Name
- Austro-American Side-necked Turtles
- Distribution
- South America, Australia, and New Guinea
- Comments
- Gray (1831b:37) was apparently the first to designate a family level taxonomic name ("Chelydae, or Chelydidae") for this group. Higher taxonomy and phylogeny within the family are discussed by Gaffney (1977). Synonymy and literature review for Australian taxa are in Cogger et al. (1983); for most South American taxa, see Pritchard and Trebbau (1984). Phylogenetic relationships based on morphology are discussed by Rhodin (1989); those of the Australian and New Guinean taxa based on morphology and serology are in Burbidge et al. (1974); those of Australian taxa based on allozyme electrophoretic studies are in Georges and Adams (1989). Karotypes are reviewed by Bull and Legler (1980), and serological variation is discussed by Frair (1980). See also Comments under Chelodina, Elseya, and Emydura.
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