Knowra Trionychidae Trionychidae Trionychidae is a family of aquatic turtles with flattened, leathery shells lacking the hard scutes found in most turtles. Its members are commonly called softshell turtles.
Turtle : A reptile in the order Testudines, characterized by a bony shell enclosing much of its body. Trionychidae is one specialized family within the turtle order.
Cutaneous respiration : Gas exchange through the skin rather than solely through respiratory organs such as lungs. Some softshell turtles exchange gases through skin surfaces while submerged.
Pelodiscus : A genus of softshell turtles native to East Asia, including the Chinese softshell turtle. Its species are among the most widely farmed softshell turtles.
Peter Simon Pallas : An eighteenth-century naturalist who described numerous animal species, including softshell turtles. Pallas named Trionyx, a genus historically central to softshell turtle classification.
Turtle farming : The captive breeding or raising of turtles for food, trade, or other uses. Softshell species, especially Pelodiscus, are raised extensively for food.
Carapace : The upper part of a turtle’s shell, formed from bone and covered by skin or other tissue. Softshell turtles retain a carapace but have a flexible, leathery covering.
Buccopharyngeal respiration : Gas exchange across the lining of the mouth and throat. This form of aquatic respiration occurs in several softshell turtles.
Apalone : A genus of North American softshell turtles, including the spiny and smooth softshells. Its species represent the family’s North American diversity.
Trionyx : A genus of softshell turtles whose name has also been used historically for many species now placed elsewhere. The family name derives from this historically influential genus.
Wildlife trade : The buying, selling, or exchange of wild animals and their parts. Collection for food and markets threatens several softshell turtle populations.
Show all 27