Family DERMOCHELYIDAE
Introduction
A monotypic family of sea turtles whose single species is the largest of all living turtles. The leatherback turtle occurs throughout tropical and subtropical seas, but more than any of the other sea turtles it wanders regularly into the colder waters of higher latitudes. The species breeds only rarely in Australia, the females coming ashore to lay their eggs in the same manner as other sea turtles (Cheloniidae).
Diagnosis
Characterised by: cryptodirous withdrawal of the head into the shell; strong, paddle-shaped limbs, without claws on the leading edge; nostrils level withsurface of snout; shell not a fused bony shield but a series of mostly small, free, polygonal plates forming a bony mosaic within a thick leathery skin.
General References
Cogger, H.G. 1979. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Sydney : A.H. & A.W. Reed 608 pp.
Fritz, U. & Havas, P. 2007. Checklist of Chelonians of the World. Vertebrate Zoology 57(2): 149-368 (checklist of world chelonians)
Pritchard, P.C.H. 1979. Encyclopedia of Turtles. Neptune, N.J. : T.F.H. Publications 895 pp.
Wermuth, H. & Mertens, R. 1977. Liste der rezenten Amphibien und Reptilien; Testudines, Crocodylia, Rhynchocephalia. Das Tierreich 100: i-xxvii, 1-174
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08-Mar-2011 | 08-Mar-2011 | MODIFIED | ||
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |