Turtles : an extraordinary natural history 245 million years in the making
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Summary
Turtles are a species of reptile at its evolutionary zenith, with an ancient lineage stretching back over 200 million years. Under their unmistakable shells, testament to their survival, they harbor a natural history of epochal proportions. This is the engrossing story Turtles tells. The book offers... Full description
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- pt. 1. The life and lifestyle of turtles
- 1. Chelonian taxonomy, form, and function
- Taxonomy
- Physical features
- Skeletal system
- Shell
- Skull
- Feet
- Tail
- Respiration
- Sensory realm
- 2. Ecology
- Thermoregulation
- Feeding and diet
- Courtship and reproduction
- Predators
- Defense strategies
- Seasonal periods of inactivity
- Age
- 3. The ancient origins of turtles
- Jurassic chelonians
- Chelonians of the Cretaceous
- pt. 2. The diversity of modern chelonians
- 4. Suborder Pleurodira : side-necked turtles
- Family Chelidae : Austro-American side-necked turtles
- Family Pelomedusidae : African side-necked turtles
- Family Podocnemidae : South American river turtles and the Madagascan big-headed turtle
- 5. Suborder Cryptodira : hidden-necked turtles
- Family Carrettochelydidae : the Fly River turtle
- Family Cheloniidae : sea turtles
- Family Chelydridae : snapping turtles
- Family dermatemydidae : the Central American river turtle
- Family Dermochelyidae : the leatherback sea turtle
- Family Emydidae : aquatic and terrestrial turtles
- Family Geoemydidae : aquatic and terrestrial turtles
- Family Kinosternidae : mud and musk turtles
- Family Platysternidae : the big-headed turtle
- Family Staurotypidae : giant musk turtles
- Family Testudinidae : tortoises
- Family Trionychidae : soft-shelled turtles
- Appendix
- Taxonomy of turtles
- Conservation organizations
- Index
- About the author.