Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state of Brazil with peculiar flora and fauna associated to the morfoclimatic characteristics of the region. The diversity of Testudines from Rio Grande do Sul is represented by six freshwater turtle species and five sea turtle species. This study reports on the freshwater turtle diversity of Rio Grande do Sul, based on a compilation of published and some new data on their biology and conservation status.
Acanthochelys; Hydromedusa; Phrynops; Trachemys; freshwater turtles