1.5 Chelys frimbriata (Matamata)
_1.JPG "Matamata skeleton")
Above: Skeleton of Chelys, seen from below. The plastron (chest plate) has been removed and lies to the side.
The matamata is a pleurodiran turtle. This means that it is a member of the turtle group that bend their necks sideways in order to retract the head inside the shell. However, the length of the neck in the matamata must make it difficult or impossible for this animal to hide its head in this way. The matamata is an aquatic predator. It has a lure on the tip of its snout that tempts small fish to come close to its mouth. The wide mouth is then opened rapidly and the fish is pulled into it by the inflow of water. Clues to this lifestyle can be seen in the skeleton – but this can wait until a later chapter.
_2.JPG "Matamata lateral")
Above: Skeleton of Chelys, seen from the left.
_3.JPG "Matamata posterior")
Above: Skeleton of Chelys, seen from behind.
_4.JPG "Matamata hand")
Above: Close-up of the forelimb of Chelys seen from above.
_5.JPG "Matamata foot")
Above: Close-up of the hindlimb of Chelys seen from above and to the side.
Examine the limb structure and try to identify humerus, ulna, radius, manual (hand) phalanges, femur, tibia, fibula and pedal (hind foot) phalanges. Note also the ridges and projections on the neck vertebrae. Examine the armoured shell (both the dorsal carapace and the ventral plastron).
_6.JPG "Matamata skull lateral")
Above: Close-up of the skull of Chelys seen from the side
_7.JPG "Matamata skull dorsal")
Above: Close-up of the skull of Chelys seen from above.
_8.JPG "Matamata skull ventral")
Above: Close-up of the forelimb of Chelys seen from below.
Identify the nasal openings and eye sockets in the skull.
More on the matamata (including a number of images of a live animal) can be seen here.
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