Flattened Musk Turtle
Encyclopedia
The Flattened musk turtle (Sternotherus depressus) is a species of turtle
in the Kinosternidae
family. It is endemic to the United States
.
and specific name refer to the fact that the species' carapace
(upper shell) is much lower and flatter than the other members of the genus Sternotherus. In fact they look as if someone had accidentally stepped on them.
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
in the Kinosternidae
Kinosternidae
Kinosternidae is a family of mostly small turtles that includes the mud turtles and musk turtles. The family Kinosternidae contains 25 species within 4 genera, but taxonomic reclassification is an ongoing process so many sources vary on the exact numbers of species and subspecies...
family. It is endemic to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Description
These little turtles can be 7.5–10 cm (3-4 inches) long, record 11.4 cm (4½ inches). Both the common nameCommon name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
and specific name refer to the fact that the species' carapace
Carapace
A carapace is a dorsal section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called the plastron.-Crustaceans:In crustaceans, the...
(upper shell) is much lower and flatter than the other members of the genus Sternotherus. In fact they look as if someone had accidentally stepped on them.
Source
- Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group 1996. Sternotherus depressus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 July 2007.