Staurotypus

Taxobox
name = "Staurotypus"

---

image_caption = Chiapas Giant Musk Turtle
"Staurotypus salvinii"
image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
ordo = Testudines
subordo = Cryptodira
ordo = Testudines
subordo = Cryptodira
superfamilia = Kinosternoidea
familia = Kinosternidae
genus = "Staurotypus"
genus_authority = Wagler, 1830

"Staurotypus" is a genus of aquatic turtles commonly known as Mexican musk turtles, giant musk turtles, or three-keeled musk turtles. There are two recognized species found in Mexico and into Central America. They are typically much larger than other species of musk turtle, attaining sizes of up to 14 inches, with males being significantly smaller than females. They are typically brown, black, or green in color, with a yellow underside. Their carapace is distinguished by three distinct ridges, or keels which run its length. Like other musk turtle species, they are carnivorous, eating various types of aquatic invertebrates, as well as fish and carrion.

Species

*Chiapas Giant Musk Turtle, "Staurotypus salvinii" (Gray, 1864)
*Mexican Giant Musk Turtle, "Staurotypus triporcatus" (Wiegmann, 1828)

Distribution

"S. salvinii" is found primarily in Mexico, in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, but ranges south into Guatemala, El Salvador, and Belize. "S. triporcatus" is also found primarily in Mexico, and is more wide-spread, found in the states of Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Yucatán, and Campeche, and ranges south into Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.

References

*EMBL genus|genus=Staurotypus
* [http://ip30.eti.uva.nl/bis/turtles.php?menuentry=inleiding Turtles of the World] - [http://ip30.eti.uva.nl/bis/turtles.php?menuentry=soorten&id=224 "Staurotypus salvini"] & [http://ip30.eti.uva.nl/bis/turtles.php?menuentry=soorten&id=225 "Staurotypus triporcatus"]