Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Higher Categories of Cryptodiran Turtles Based on a Cladistic Analysis of Chromosomal Data

Abstract

Karyological data are available for 55% of all cryptodiran turtle species including members of all but one family. Cladistic analysis of these data, as well as consideration of other taxonomic studies, lead us to propose a formal classification and phylogeny not greatly different from that suggested by other workers. We recognize 11 families and three superfamilies. The platysternid and staurotypid turtles are recognized at the familial level. Patterns and models of karyotypic evolution in turtles are reviewed and discussed.