Dermochelidae

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Dermochelidae(leathery turtle, leatherback; order Chelonia, suborder Cryptodira) A monospecific family (Dermochelys coriacea) comprising the largest marine turtle (up to 600 kg and 2 m long). The shell is not fused to the ribs or vertebrae, being reduced to dermal ossicles in a thick, leathery skin. The carapace is ridged, the flippers clawless. It occurs in all warm oceans.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

leatherback

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leath·er·back / ˈle[voicedth]ərˌbak/ (also leatherback turtle) • n. a very large black turtle (Dermochelys coriacea, family Dermochelyidae) with a thick leathery shell, living chiefly in tropical seas.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

Dermochelys coriacea

views updated May 21 2018

Dermochelys coriacea See DERMOCHELIDAE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

leatherback

views updated May 23 2018

leatherback See DERMOCHELIDAE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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