Asian giant softshell turtle
Asian giant softshell turtle | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Testudines |
Suborder: | Cryptodira |
Family: | Trionychidae |
Genus: | Pelochelys |
Species: | P. cantorii
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Binomial name | |
Pelochelys cantorii | |
Synonyms[4] | |
The Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii),. The species is critically endangered and in the 20th century has disappeared from much of its former range.
Taxonomy
P. cantorii is not found in
Description
The Asian giant softshell turtle has a broad head, and small eyes close to the tip of its snout. The carapace is smooth and olive-colored. Juveniles may have dark-spotted carapaces and heads, with yellow around the carapace.[5]
Despite reports that it can grow up to 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) in length and is the world's largest extant freshwater turtle, this maximum size and title is murky at best.[9][10] Apparently the largest specimen carapace length, 129 cm (51 in), known is considered suspect and the heaviest specimen known (weighing approximately 250 kg (550 lb) was actually a misidentified Yangtze giant softshell turtle.[11][12] A more realistic range of carapace length for this species is reportedly 70 to 100 cm (28 to 39 in) and it is one of about a half-dozen giant softshell turtles from three genera that reach exceptionally large sizes, i.e. in excess of 100 kg (220 lb) in mass.[13]
Behavior and reproduction
P. cantorii is an ambush predator and primarily carnivorous, feeding on crustaceans, mollusks and fish (although some aquatic plants may also be eaten).[5] The turtle spends 95% of its life buried and motionless, with only its eyes and mouth protruding from the sand. It surfaces only twice a day to take a breath, and lays 20–28 eggs sized around 3.0 to 3.6 centimetres (1.2 to 1.4 in) in diameter in February or March on riverbanks.[5][10][14]
Morphological variation
Morphological differences in neural bone count have been noted between specimens of P. cantori found in the Philippines and specimens found in mainland Asia.[15]
Etymology
The
Geographic range and habitat
The species P. cantorii is primarily found in inland, slow-moving, freshwater rivers and streams. Some evidence indicates that its range extends to coastal areas, as well.
Conservation
The Asian giant softshell turtle is classified as a
In the Philippines, a juvenile Cantor's turtle known as "cagot" appeared and was captured by a fisherman along the Addalam River, Cabarroguis, Quirino, Isabela. In 2001, this turtle was sent to Chicago and its identity confirmed.[19] The reptile has been evaluated as an EDGE species by the Zoological Society of London.[20]
References
- ^ . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-5323-5026-9. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- S2CID 87809001.
- ^ a b c d e Ernst, C. H.; Altenburg, R. G. M.; Barbour, R. W. (1998). Turtles of the world [CD-ROM].
- ^ Webb, R.G. (1995). "Redescription and neotype designation of Pelochelys bibroni from southern New Guinea (Testudines: Trionychidae)". Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 1 (4): 301–310.
- ^ Gray, J.E. (1864). "Revision of the species of Trionychidae found in Asia and Africa, with the descriptions of some new species". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1864: 76–98.
- .
- ^ "Rare Soft Shell Turtle, Nesting Ground Found in Cambodia". ScienceDaily. 19 May 2007.
- ^ a b c Mydans, Seth (18 May 2007). "How to Survive in Cambodia: For a Turtle, Beneath Sand". New York Times.
- ^ De Rooij, N. (1915). The Reptiles of the Indo-Australian Archipelago. A. Asher.
- ^ Pritchard, P.C. (2005). "Survival status and prospects for Rafetus swinhoei (Chelonia: Trionychidae)". 2005 Turtle Survival Alliance Annual Conference Proceedings: 19–22.
- ^ Das, I. (2010). "Pelochelys cantorii Gray 1864- Asian Giant Softshell Turtle". In Iverson, J. B.; Mittermeier, R. A. (eds.). Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Chelonian Research Monographs. Vol. 5.
- ^ Das, I. (1985). Indian Turtles, a Field Guide. Calcutta: World Wildlife Fund--India (Eastern Region).
- PMID 23653519.
- ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.
- ^ "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pelochelys cantorii". 30 June 2000.
- ^ Munthit, K. (16 May 2007). "Rare Turtle's New Chance". Associated Press.
- ^ Taguinod, Floro C. (8 July 2008). "After seven years, rare soft-shelled turtle resurfaces in Quirino Province". GMA News Online.
- ^ "Cantor's Giant Softshell".
Further reading
- ISBN 0-88359-056-5. (Pelochelys cantorii, p. 139).
- Das, Indraneil; Lakim, Maklarin (December 2006). "On the Distribution of Pelochelys cantorii on Borneo" (PDF). Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 5 (2): 323–325. S2CID 85822468.
- McCord, William P.; Joseph-Ouni, Mehdi (2003). "Flapshell and Giant Asian Softshell Turtles". Reptilia. 26: 59–64.
- Webb, Robert G (2002). "Observations on the Giant Softshell Turtle, Pelochelys cantorii, with description of a new species". Hamadryad. 27 (1): 99–107.
External links
Media related to Pelochelys cantorii at Wikimedia Commons