Presented in a logical and systematic order, Turtles of the World discusses each family separately with keys to genera and species. Summarizing the classification of every known turtle species, this volume includes descriptions and illustrations of turtle anatomy, a discussion of turtle origins, as well as karotype, reproductive, and ecological information. The authors pinpoint causes for the decline of turtle populations and offer suggestions to reverse the effects of overcollecting, killing for food, environmental poisoning through insecticides and herbicides, and habitat destruction.