Asian giant softshell turtle

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Asian giant softshell turtle
Pelochelys cantorii.jpg
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [3]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Family: Trionychidae
Genus: Pelochelys
Species:
P. cantorii
Binomial name
Pelochelys cantorii
Gray, 1864 [1] [2]
Pelochelys.png
Range
Synonyms [4]
List
  • Pelochelys cantorii
    Gray, 1864
  • Pelochelys cumingii
    Gray, 1864
  • Pelochelys cantoris
    Boulenger, 1889
  • Pelochelys poljakowii
    Strauch, 1890
  • Pelochelys cummingii
    M.A. Smith, 1931(ex errore)
  • Pelochelys cantori
    Pritchard, 1967(ex errore)

The Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii), [1] [2] also known commonly as Cantor's giant softshell turtle [2] and the frog-faced softshell turtle, is a species of freshwater turtle in the family Trionychidae. The species is native to Southeast Asia. The species is critically endangered and in the 20th century has disappeared from much of its former range.

Contents

Taxonomy

P. cantorii is not found in New Guinea, while the two other members of the genus Pelochelys , P. bibroni and P. signifera are both restricted to New Guinea. [2] P. cantorii is relatively unstudied, and the current species may actually be composed of several taxa. [5] One study from 1995 [6] showed that what was once thought to be P. cantorii in New Guinea was actually P. bibroni, and the earlier studies [7] [8] of P. cantorii only described populations farther to the west.

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

Asian giant softshell turtle at the Philippine National Museum Asian Giant Softshell Turtle at Philippine National Museum.jpg
Asian giant softshell turtle at the Philippine National Museum

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 specific name, cantorii, is in honor of Danish zoologist Theodore Edward Cantor. [16]

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. [5] It occurs in eastern and southern India, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, eastern and southern China, the Philippines (Luzon and Mindanao), and Indonesia (Kalimantan, Java, and Sumatra). [2]

Conservation

The Asian giant softshell turtle is classified as a Critically Endangered by the IUCN and has been forced out through habitat destruction, disappearing from much of its range. [17] Prior to 2007, it was last seen in Cambodia in 2003. A 2007 survey of one area of the Mekong River in Cambodia found the turtle in abundance along a 48 kilometres (30 mi) stretch of the river. [10] [18]

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]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trionychidae</span> Family of turtles

Trionychidae is a family of turtles, commonly known as softshell turtles or simply softshells. The family was described by Leopold Fitzinger in 1826. Softshells include some of the world's largest freshwater turtles, though many can adapt to living in highly brackish waters. Members of this family occur in Africa, Asia, and North America, with extinct species known from Australia. Most species have traditionally been included in the genus Trionyx, but the vast majority have since been moved to other genera. Among these are the North American Apalone softshells that were placed in Trionyx until 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pig-nosed turtle</span> Species of turtle

The pig-nosed turtle, also known as the Fly River turtle, the pitted-shelled turtle, and the Warrajan is a species of turtle which is native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It is the only living member of the genus Carettochelys and family Carettochelyidae, a family which also contains many fossil species with their closest relatives being the softshell turtles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle, also known as the small-headed softshell turtle or the Indo-Gangetic softshell turtle, is an endangered species of softshell turtle native to waterways and rivers of the Indian subcontinent. It is very large, feeding on fish, frogs, worms, crustaceans and molluscs, and even the occasional swimming small rodent or other mammal. C. indica, like other softshell turtles, uses it flexible shell to dig itself deep into sandy lake and river bottoms; here, it patiently waits for potential prey to swim by. They will also ambush and chase their prey, depending on availability, the time of year, and size of the prey. In the past it was included as a subspecies of Chitra chitra, a species restricted to Southeast Asia using current taxonomy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leith's softshell turtle</span> Species of reptile

Leith's softshell turtle is a species of turtle in the family Trionychidae. The species is found in peninsular Indian rivers including the Thungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Bhavani, Godavari, Kaveri and Moyar Rivers. The type locality is Pune in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amboina box turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Amboina box turtle or Southeast Asian box turtle is a species of Asian box turtle widely distributed across Southeast Asia. It is native to the Asian mainland from northeast India, through Bangladesh, Burma and Thailand, across Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. It is also found on the archipelagos of Indonesia and the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wattle-necked softshell turtle</span> Species of turtle

The wattle-necked softshell turtle, also commonly known as Steindachner's soft-shelled turtle, is an endangered Asian species of softshell turtle in the family Trionychidae. The species is the only member of the genus Palea.

<i>Pelochelys</i> Genus of turtles

Pelochelys is a genus of very large softshell turtles in the family Trionychidae. They are found from peninsular India northeast to southern China, and south to Southeast Asia and New Guinea.These turtles are also known as Giant softshell turtles.

<i>Apalone</i> Genus of turtles

Apalone is a genus of turtles in the family Trionychidae. The three species of Apalone are native to freshwater habitats in North America; they are the only living softshell turtles from the Americas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yangtze giant softshell turtle</span> Critically endangered species of turtle

The Yangtze giant softshell turtle, also known commonly as the Red River giant softshell turtle, the Shanghai softshell turtle, the speckled softshell turtle, and Swinhoe's softshell turtle, is an extremely rare species of turtle in the family Trionychidae. It may be the largest living freshwater turtle in the world. The species is native to eastern and southern China and northern Vietnam. With a known population of only two or three individuals, and with the last known females dying out, this species is considered functionally extinct.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asiatic softshell turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Asiatic softshell turtle or black-rayed softshell turtle is a species of softshell turtle in the Trionychidae family. Despite its name, it is not the only softshell turtle in Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malayan softshell turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Malayan softshell turtle is a species of softshell turtle in the family Trionychidae. It is monotypic in its genus.

<i>Nilssonia</i> (turtle) Genus of turtles

Nilssonia is a genus of softshell turtles from rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes in South Asia and Burma. In many treatments, it is monotypic, with the single species Burmese peacock softshell. However, the supposed other genus of peacock softshells, Aspideretes, is more closely related to N. formosa than had been believed. They differ only in the neural plates between the first pleural scale pair of the bony carapace, which are fused into one in N. formosa and unfused in the others.

The southern New Guinea giant softshell turtle is a species of softshell turtle in the family Trionychidae. The species is endemic to the lowlands of southern New Guinea with occasional vagrant individuals sighted off the coast of northern Australia. There is no confirmed Australian record. P. bibroni is referred to by the Suki people as kiya eise, a reference to its flexible shell. In the Arammba language, it is called sokrere, meaning "earthquake". It is sometimes hunted by local villages for its meat and/or eggs, leading to some cases of chelonitoxism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant musk turtle</span> Species of turtle

The giant musk turtle, also known commonly as the Chiapas giant musk turtle or the Mexican giant musk turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. The species is found in Central America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexican musk turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Mexican musk turtle, also known commonly as the giant musk turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. The species occurs in Central America and Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Euphrates softshell turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Euphrates softshell turtle, also known as the Mesopotamian softshell turtle, is a species of softshell turtle in the family Trionychidae. It is found throughout much of the Euphrates–Tigris river basin in Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Khūzestān Province of Iran. Historically it has also been reported from Iran, but this likely involves confusion with the very similar Trionyx triunguis.

The Burmese narrow-headed softshell turtle, also known commonly as the Myanmar narrow-headed softshell turtle and Van Dijk's chitra, is a species of turtle in the family Trionychidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia.

The northern New Guinea giant softshell turtle is a species of turtle found in the lowlands of northern New Guinea. South of the Central Range it is replaced by the closely related southern New Guinea giant softshell turtle. It is threatened by overhunting and harvesting of eggs as well as significant habitat loss of aquatic vegetation due to introduced fish species such as the red-bellied pacu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amur softshell turtle</span> Species of turtle

Pelodiscus maackii, commonly known as the Amur softshell turtle or the northern Chinese softshell turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Trionychidae. The species is found in the Russian Far East, northeastern China, Korea, and Japan. It is possible that the Japanese populations are the result of ancient introductions by humans. This aquatic species may attain a straight carapace length of 32.5 cm (1.1 ft).

Giant softshell turtle may refer to the following:

References

  1. 1 2 3 Choudhury, B.C.; Das, I.; Horne, B.D.; Li, P.; McCormack, T.; Praschag, P.; Rao, D.-Q.; Wang, L. (2021). "Pelochelys cantorii ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T135458600A1076984. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T135458600A1076984.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rhodin, Anders G.J.; Iverson, John B.; Roger, Bour; Fritz, Uwe; Georges, Arthur; Shaffer, H. Bradley; van Dijk, Peter Paul (August 3, 2017). "Turtles of the world, 2017 update: Annotated checklist and atlas of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution, and conservation status (8th Ed.)" (PDF). Chelonian Research Monographs. 7. ISBN   978-1-5323-5026-9 . Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  4. ↑ Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 149–368. doi: 10.3897/vz.57.e30895 . S2CID   87809001.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Ernst, C.H.; Altenburg, R.G.M.; Barbour, R.W. (1998). Turtles of the world [CD-ROM].
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Boulenger, G.A. (1891). "XXXI.—On the occurrence of Pelochelys in China". Journal of Natural History. 7 (39): 283–284. doi:10.1080/00222939109460609.
  9. ↑ "Rare Soft Shell Turtle, Nesting Ground Found in Cambodia". ScienceDaily. 19 May 2007.
  10. 1 2 3 Mydans, Seth (18 May 2007). "How to Survive in Cambodia: For a Turtle, Beneath Sand". New York Times.
  11. ↑ De Rooij, N. (1915). The Reptiles of the Indo-Australian Archipelago. A. Asher.
  12. ↑ Pritchard, P.C. (2005). "Survival status and prospects for Rafetus swinhoei (Chelonia: Trionychidae)". 2005 Turtle Survival Alliance Annual Conference Proceedings: 19–22.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ Das, I. (1985). Indian Turtles, a Field Guide. Calcutta: World Wildlife Fund--India (Eastern Region).
  15. ↑ Brown, Rafe M.; Siler, Cameron D.; Oliveros, Carl H.; Welton, Luke J.; Rock, Ashley; Swab, John; Van Weerd, Merlijn; van Beijnen, Jonah; Jose, Edgar; Rodriguez, Dominic; Jose, Edmund; Diesmos, Arvin C. (2013). "The amphibians and reptiles of Luzon Island, Philippines, VIII: the herpetofauna of Cagayan and Isabela Provinces, northern Sierra Madre Mountain Range". ZooKeys (266): 1–120. Bibcode:2013ZooK..266....1B. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.266.3982 . PMC   3591760 . PMID   23653519.
  16. ↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 47. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5.
  17. ↑ "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pelochelys cantorii". 30 June 2000.
  18. ↑ Munthit, K. (16 May 2007). "Rare Turtle's New Chance". Associated Press.
  19. ↑ Taguinod, Floro C. (8 July 2008). "After seven years, rare soft-shelled turtle resurfaces in Quirino Province". GMA News Online.
  20. ↑ "Cantor's Giant Softshell".

Further reading

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