CLASSIFICATION OF CHRYSEMYS : PAINTED TERRAPIN
PHYLUM :- CHORDATA (Notochord, dorsal tubular nerve cord present and gill slits present )
Group :- CRANIATA ( Definite head. Cranium with brain present )
Sub-phylum :- VERTEBRATA ( vertebral column present)
Division :- GNATHOSTOMATA ( Jaws and paired appendages present )
Super class :- TETRAPODA ( Paired limbs, lungs, bony skeleton and cornified skin)
Class :- REPTILIA ( Scaly vertebrates with right and left aortic arches. Single condyle, pulmonary respiration. Embryo with amnion and allantois ).
Sub-class :- ANAPSIDA ( Primitive reptiles. Skull completely roofed over ).
Order :- CHELONIA ( Turtles, tortoises and terrapins ).
Sub-order :- THECOPHORA ( Thoracic vertebrae and ribs fused to carapace ).
Family :- TESTUDINIDAE ( Toes not webbed, hindlegs cylindrical, shell high ).
Genus :- Chrysemys
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
Chrysemys is commonly found in India, Sri Lanka, U.S.A., Galapago Islands,
Europe, Asia, and Africa, except Australian region.
HABIT AND HABITAT
Chrysemys is a common fresh-water form, but is adapted for amphibious life. It feeds on insects, worms and other animals.
GENERAL CHARACTERSTICS OF CHRYSEMYS : PAINTED TERRAPIN
- Commonly called as painted terrapin. Body divided into head, neck, trunk and stumpy tail.
- Body encased in a bony armour of dorsal carapace and ventral plastron. Nuchal shield is elongated and narrow. Keel absent.
- Plastron is provided with transverse hinge.
- Costal and neural plates of carapace plate convex and dome-shaped.
- Marginal plates communicate with the plastron.
- Head is triangular containing eyes, mouth, nares and tympanum.
- There is a fold of skin behind the head in the neck region.
- Forelimbs and backwardly directed hind limbs well developed. Middle front toe with 3 phalanges. Toes partly webbed.
- Temporal vacuities are absent.
- Neck, limbs and tail contain beautiful and brilliant coloured stripes. Head, tail and limbs can be completely withdrawn within two shells for safety.
Identification
This terrapin contains webbed toes and above features, hence it is Chrysemys.
REFERENCES
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_turtle
- Book of Practical Zoology VERTEBRATE by S.S.LAL – Rastogi Publications.
- SOURCES OF IMAGES – https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.petmd.com%2Freptile%2Fspecies%2Fpainted-turtle&psig=AOvVaw2iuLpFHSCdwXFW7GEP0G2q&ust=1604323477791000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwjQhKHpuOHsAhVRVXwKHY9GCGAQr4kDegUIARCvAQ
- https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2Fanimal%2Fpainted-turtle&psig=AOvVaw2iuLpFHSCdwXFW7GEP0G2q&ust=1604323477791000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwjQhKHpuOHsAhVRVXwKHY9GCGAQr4kDegUIARC_AQ
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