Phylogenetic Tree
Anatomical features: My species is from the chelydridae species. Both of the turtles that are part of this is the common snapping turtle and the alligator snapping turtle. Both species snap, have shells, jaws, claws, and live in the same area.
Genetics: If you look on the tree you see that the Kinosternidae (small turtles usually musk and mud turtles) and chelydridae (snapping turtles) are closely relative that means their DNA is close and their physical features are close as well.
Fossil record: All the turtles have a common ancestor of Cryptodira (mostly tortoises and some turtles). They branched off as different types of turtles. The Chelydridae, Kinosternidae, and Chelonioidea come from the same branch Americhe Lydia (ancient turtles where most of the turtles we know today have come from) so they are closely related. They are more related to the Americhe Lydia then they are related to the Testudinidae (another branch of turtles).
Genetics: If you look on the tree you see that the Kinosternidae (small turtles usually musk and mud turtles) and chelydridae (snapping turtles) are closely relative that means their DNA is close and their physical features are close as well.
Fossil record: All the turtles have a common ancestor of Cryptodira (mostly tortoises and some turtles). They branched off as different types of turtles. The Chelydridae, Kinosternidae, and Chelonioidea come from the same branch Americhe Lydia (ancient turtles where most of the turtles we know today have come from) so they are closely related. They are more related to the Americhe Lydia then they are related to the Testudinidae (another branch of turtles).
Tree of Life
The alligator snapping turtle is from the reptilia branch this branch asides from turtles there is lizards, snakes, alligators, and crocodiles. The reptilia group are an animal that has cold blood, lay eggs, and has a body that is covered in scales or hard parts. This is the definition from merriam-webster. All reptiles are simpler in this way. The reptilia group has four groups in it there are testudines, (turtles and tortoises) sphenodon, (lizard like creatures) squamata (lizards, snakes, and worm lizards), and crocodilia (crocodiles, alligators, and other extinct like creatures that are like the alligator or crocodile).