Chelus is a genus of large freshwater turtles found in tropical South America. Formerly considered to be a monotypic genus, it now consists of two extant species after Chelus orinocensis was identified in 2020 from a genetic analysis.
Chelus orinocensis, the Orinoco mata mata, is a species of freshwater turtle found in northern South America in the Orinoco, upper Rio Negro–Branco and Essequibo basins, and in Trinidad. It was split off from the very similar Chelus fimbriata in...
The mata mata, mata-mata, or matamata (Chelus fimbriata) is a South American species of freshwater turtle found in the Amazon basin and river system of the eastern Guianas. It was formerly believed to also occur in the Orinoco basin, western Guianas...
The Pleurodira are one of the two living suborders of turtles (the other being the Cryptodira) more known commonly as the side-necked turtles. The name "Pleurodira" translates to "side neck", whereas the Cryptodira are known as hidden-necked...
Chelidae is one of three living families of the turtle suborder Pleurodira, and are commonly called Austro-South American side-neck turtles. The family is distributed in Australia, New Guinea, Eastern Indonesia, and throughout most of South America....
The Arrau turtle (Podocnemis expansa), also known as the South American river turtle, giant South American turtle, giant Amazon River turtle, Arrau sideneck turtle, Amazon River turtle or simply the Arrau, is the largest of the side-neck turtles...
The Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) is an endangered species of short-necked turtle in the family Chelidae. The species is endemic to the Mary River in south-east Queensland, Australia. Although this turtle was known to inhabit the Mary River...
The red side-necked turtle (Rhinemys rufipes), red turtle, red-footed sideneck turtle, William's toadhead turtle, or red-footed Amazon side-necked turtle is a monotypic species of turtle in the family Chelidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, and...
Phrynops hilarii, also commonly known as Hilaire’s side-necked turtle and Hilaire's toadhead turtle, is a species of freshwater turtle in the family Chelidae. The species is endemic to South America.
Alternatively, "Pelomedusidae" may refer to the Pelomedusoidea. See below for details. Pelomedusidae is a family of freshwater turtles endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, including Madagascar, São Tomé, and the Seychelles (although this population may...
