The Musk or Mud Turtles 



II. Plastron protecting the limbs and fleshy parts when 



lobes are closed. Genus Cinostenmm. 



a. Plastron moderately wide — not entirely closing the 

 shell. 



1. Head with stripes or bands. 



Three yellow bands on carapace*; narrow stripes 

 on each side of head. 



BANDED MUD TURTLE, C. buUri. 



Distribution. — Southeastern United States. 

 Carapace olive or brown; two broad, orange bands 

 on each side of head. 



LOUISIANA MUD TURTLE, C. louisiuncE. 



Distribution. — Louisana and Texas. 



2. Top of head uniform — sides bright yellow. 



Carapace olive or brown; sides of head and neck 

 bright yellow. 



YELLOW-NECKED MUD TURTLE, C. fldvescens. 



Distribution. — Arkansas to Arizona. 



3. Head spotted. 



Carapace olive or brown; head olive, speckled 

 with black. 



COMMON MUD TURTLE, C. pennsylvanicuni. 

 Distribution. — Eastern and Western states. 



III. Plastron very wide, completely encasing limbs when 



lobes are closed. 



Genus Cinosternum — continued 

 Carapace brownish-yellow; head olive, with obscure 



markings. Arizona mud turtle, C. henrici. 



Distribution. — New Mexico; Arizona. 

 Carapace brownish-yellow; head gray, spotted with 



black. MEXICAN MUD turtle, C. integrum. 



Distribution. — Mexico generally, well into the 



northern portion. 



The Genus Aromochelys. — Although some authorities have 

 united this genus with Cinosternum, the writer believes that the 

 very narrow plastron, so characteristic with the three species, 

 constitutes an important point for the foundation of an indepen- 

 dent genus. With this narrow under shell and the consequent 

 exposure of the fleshy parts, together with the proportionately 

 large head, these little turtles resemble in miniature, the large, 

 vicious species of the Chelydridce — the snapping turtles. Three 

 species of this genus are recognised. Their descriptions follow: 



* The only species with longitudinal bands on the shell. 



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