Testudinoidea is a
superfamily within the suborder
Cryptodira
The Cryptodira (') are a suborder of Testudines that includes most living tortoises and turtles. Cryptodira is commonly called the "Hidden-Neck Turtles" or the "Inside-Neck Turtles". Cryptodira differ from Pleurodira (side-necked turtles) in ...
of the order
Testudines
Turtles are reptiles of the order (biology), order Testudines, characterized by a special turtle shell, shell developed mainly from their ribs. Modern turtles are divided into two major groups, the Pleurodira (side necked turtles) and Crypt ...
. It includes the
pond turtles (Family: Emydidae),
Asian turtles (Family: Geoemydidae), the
monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unisp ...
big-headed turtle (Family: Platysternidae), and the
tortoise
Tortoises ( ) are reptiles of the family Testudinidae of the order Testudines (Latin for "tortoise"). Like other turtles, tortoises have a shell to protect from predation and other threats. The shell in tortoises is generally hard, and like o ...
s (Family: Testudinidae).
Systematics
A 2021 study found the clade to be divided into two extant groups:
Testuguria, containing
Geoemydidae
The Geoemydidae (formerly known as Bataguridae) are one of the largest and most diverse families in the order Testudines (turtles), with about 70 species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two in ...
and
Testudinidae
Tortoises ( ) are reptiles of the family Testudinidae of the order Testudines (Latin for "tortoise"). Like other turtles, tortoises have a shell to protect from predation and other threats. The shell in tortoises is generally hard, and like ot ...
; and
Emysternia, containing
Emydidae
Emydidae (Latin (freshwater tortoise) + Ancient Greek (, "appearance, resemblance")) is a family of testudines (turtles) that includes close to 50 species in 10 genera. Members of this family are commonly called terrapins, pond turtles, or mar ...
and
Platysternidae
The big-headed turtle (''Platysternon megacephalum'') is a species of turtle in the family Platysternidae from Southeast Asia and southern China.
Background
Previously considered a distinct family placed on occasion in " Kinosternoidea", it was ...
. The extinct
Lindholmemydidae, formerly classified in Testudinoidea, may fall outside the crown group of Testudinoidea, although there is not yet enough evidence for this.
* Pantestudinoidea
**
Lindholmemydidae?
**Testudinoidea
***''
Wutuchelys''
***
Haichemydidae
***
Sinochelyidae
***
Testuguria
****
Geoemydidae
The Geoemydidae (formerly known as Bataguridae) are one of the largest and most diverse families in the order Testudines (turtles), with about 70 species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two in ...
****
Testudinidae
Tortoises ( ) are reptiles of the family Testudinidae of the order Testudines (Latin for "tortoise"). Like other turtles, tortoises have a shell to protect from predation and other threats. The shell in tortoises is generally hard, and like ot ...
***
Emysternia
****
Emydidae
Emydidae (Latin (freshwater tortoise) + Ancient Greek (, "appearance, resemblance")) is a family of testudines (turtles) that includes close to 50 species in 10 genera. Members of this family are commonly called terrapins, pond turtles, or mar ...
****
Platysternidae
The big-headed turtle (''Platysternon megacephalum'') is a species of turtle in the family Platysternidae from Southeast Asia and southern China.
Background
Previously considered a distinct family placed on occasion in " Kinosternoidea", it was ...
References
;Bibliography
*
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