Genus Cyclanorbis

Gray, 1852
Sub-Saharan flapshell turtles

Recognition
The two freshwater softshells in this genus are confined to Africa. The carapace is round to oval, slightly domed, and has large tubercles on the anterior rim. A prenuchal bone may be present or absent. A preneural and up to nine neurals may be present, usually forming an incomplete series. There are eight pairs of costal bones, most of which meet at the midline. The plastron has the hyo- and hypoplastra fused, the epiplastra long and angular, and 2-9 callosities. Also, cutaneous flaps occur on the plastron, which conceal the limbs when they are withdrawn. No ridges occur on the maxilla, and the intermaxillary foramen is small, if present. The prefrontal meets the vomer in one species. The jugal is in contact with the parietal. The toes are webbed.

Species identification
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