Malaclemys terrapin (diamondback terrapin) 2 (15101239604)

Description:

Description: Malaclemys terrapin (Schoepff, 1793) - diamondback terrapin from Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA (captive, Newport Aquarium, Newport, Kentucky, USA). This species inhabits brackish-water settings of eastern and southeastern America (Gulf Coast & Eastern Seaboards areas). Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Vertebrata, Reptilia, Anapsida, Chelonia, Emydidae The turtles & tortoises (chelonians) are an ancient group of reptiles that have a Triassic to Holocene stratigraphic record. Turtles are most easily recognized by their shell - some forms can retract the head & limbs into the shell when threatened, while other species cannot. Their overall body plan has changed very little since the Triassic - a great example of conservative evolution. Chelonians occur in terrestrial, freshwater, brackish-water, and marine settings. Date: 14 May 2006, 13:33. Source: Malaclemys terrapin (diamondback terrapin) 2. Author: James St. John.