Relationships of some cryptodiran turtles as suggested by immunological cross-reactivity of serum albumins

Abstract

Serum albumins from 20 types of turtles representing four families and two infraorders were compared using microcomplement fixation. Results show that the families ‘Batagurinae’ and Testudinidae have a close affinity, and the family Emydidae appears to be distantly separated from the above two families. The relationship of the family Chelydridae with the above three families is more distinct immunologically.