Madagascan big-headed turtle

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Madagascan big-headed turtle
Photographed at Berenty Reserve

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Pleurodira
Family: Podocnemididae
Genus: Erymnochelys
Baur, 1888
Species:
E. madagascariensis
Binomial name
Erymnochelys madagascariensis

The Madagascan big-headed turtle (Erymnochelys madagascariensis)

critically endangered and have been evaluated to be the most endangered turtle in the world by a 2018 review.[3] Due to its ancient origins and threatened status, it is ranked as #1 on the EDGE of Existence programme's list of priority reptiles.[4]

Taxonomy

It is a highly evolutionary distinctive species, the only member of the ancient family Podocnemidae found outside of South America. It diverged from its closest living relative, Podocnemis, during the Late Cretaceous, about 78 million years ago.[5] Fossils of podocnemid turtles that are suggested to be closely related to Erymnochelys belonging to the same tribe Erymnochelyini, are known from the Cenozoic of Africa and Europe, with the youngest remains of turtles belonging to Erymnochelyini in mainland Africa dating to the Pliocene.[6]

Description

The Madagascan big-headed turtle is one of the most endangered turtles in the world, and is also included in the Turtle Conservation Funds (TCF) top 25 endangered. It has a hard dark brown shell enclosing all the soft parts of the body and, as its name indicates, a very large head. Young turtles have a soft pattern of fine black lines on their shells, but they disappear with age.[7]

Habitat

This species inhabits large areas with freshwater such as permanent slow streaming rivers, backwaters and lakes. Many of the hatching and juvenile turtles move into smaller rivers, where they can grow quickly and safely before going into deeper and larger bodies of water.

Range

It can be found in the western lowland areas of Madagascar.[8]

Threats

The main threat for this species is that they are heavily exploited for food, caught in nets, fish traps and by hooks and lines. It is also hunted for illegal export to Asia for the traditional medicinal market. Another threat is land development as it destroys its natural habitat.

Despite their vulnerability to extinction, they are commonly eaten for food and they are still commonly shipped from Madagascar to Asia to help meet the demand of Asia's traditional medicine market. A captive breeding program has also been started to prevent the species from becoming

extinct
. The Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF) intends to raise US$5.6 million to cover a five-year 'Global Action Plan' which includes captive breeding and reintroduction projects, trade monitoring, new rescue centers, local conservation plans, and educational programs.

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-0965354097. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2011-07-17.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. PMID 29641585
    .
  4. ^ "Species". EDGE of Existence. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  5. ISSN 1439-6092
    .
  6. ISSN 1932-8486
    .
  7. ^ "Madagascar big-headed turtle videos, photos and facts - Erymnochelys madagascariensis". Arkive. Archived from the original on 2011-11-09. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  8. ^ "Madagascar big-headed turtle videos, photos and facts - Erymnochelys madagascariensis". Arkive. Archived from the original on 2011-11-09. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
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