Kinosternoidea is a superfamily of aquatic turtles, which includes two families: Dermatemydidae, and Kinosternidae.

Kinosternoids are cryptodires, turtles whose necks are able to retract within their shell. Molecular studies suggest they are likely the sister group to the snapping turtles of the family Chelydridae. They are also omnivorous, oviparous, phosphatic, and actively mobile.

Classification

Genus Dermatemys Genus Baptemys

Genus Hoplochelys Subfamily Staurotypinae Genus Claudius Genus Staurotypus Subfamily Kinosterninae Genus Kinosternon Genus Sternotherus

Past classification

The entirely unrelated big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) was previously included in classification.

Bibliography

  • Rhodin, Anders G.J.; van Dijk, Peter Paul; Inverson, John B.; Shaffer, H. Bradley; Roger, Bour (2011-12-31). (PDF). Chelonian Research Monographs. 5. Archived from (PDF) on 2012-01-31.