(Redirected from Pelodiscus sinensis)
Testudinidae, Testudinoidea, Testudines (turtles) Subspecies: Common Names: Narborough Island Giant Tortoise: Synonym: Testudo phantasticus VAN DENBURGH 1907: 4 Geochelone nigra phantastica — IVERSON 1992: 250 Chelonoidis phantastica — RHODIN et al. 2010 Chelonoidis phantastica — TTWG 2014: 395 Chelonoidis phantasticus — TTWG 2017: 130: Distribution.
Chinese softshell turtle | |
---|---|
Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3)[1][2] | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Testudines |
Suborder: | Cryptodira |
Family: | Trionychidae |
Genus: | Pelodiscus |
Species: | |
Binomial name | |
Pelodiscus sinensis (Wiegmann, 1835)[1] | |
Synonyms | |
See text |
The Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is a species of softshell turtle that is endemic to China (Inner Mongolia to Hainan), with records of escapees—some of which have established introduced populations—in a wide range of other Asian countries, as well as Spain, Brazil and Hawaii.[3]
Populations native to Northeast China, Russia, Korea and Japan were formerly included in this species, but are now regarded as separate as the northern Chinese softshell turtle (P. maackii). Furthermore, localized populations in Guangxi and Hunan (where the Chinese softshell turtle also is present), as well as Vietnam, are recognized as the lesser Chinese softshell turtle (P. parviformis) and Hunan softshell turtle (P. axenaria).[3]
The Chinese softshell turtle is a vulnerable species,[3] threatened by habitat loss and collection for food such as turtle soup. Millions are now farmed, especially in China, to support the food industry,[4] and it is the world's economically most important turtle.[5]
- 2Distribution and habitat
- 3Ecology and behavior
Description[edit]
Females of the Chinese softshell turtle can reach up to 33 cm (13 in) in carapace length, while the smaller males reach 27 cm (11 in), but however have longer tails than the females.[6] Maturity is reached at a carapace length of 18–19 cm (7–7.5 in).[6] It has webbed feet for swimming. They are called 'softshell' because their carapace lacks horny scutes (scales). The carapace is leathery and pliable, particularly at the sides. The central part of the carapace has a layer of solid bone beneath it, as in other turtles, but this is absent at the outer edges. The light and flexible shell of these turtles allows them to move more easily in open water, or in muddy lake bottoms.[7]
The carapace of these turtles is olive in color and may have dark blotches. The plastron is orange-red, and may also have large dark blotches. The limbs and head are olive dorsally with the forelimbs lighter and the hind-limbs orange-red ventrally. There are dark flecks on the head and dark lines that radiate from the eyes. The throat is mottled and there may be small, dark bars on the lips. A pair of dark blotches is found in front of the tail as well as a black band on the posterior side of each thigh.[8]
Distribution and habitat[edit]
Pelodiscus sinensis
Distribution[edit]
The Chinese softshell turtle is endemic to China, where it is found in Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Henan, Hong Kong, Hubei, Hunan, Inner Mongolia (Nei Mongol), Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan and Zhejiang Provinces, as well as Taiwan.[3]
Populations native to Northeast China, Russia, Korea and Japan were formerly included in this species, but are now regarded as separate as the northern Chinese softshell turtle (P. maackii). Furthermore, localized populations in Guangxi and Hunan (where the Chinese softshell turtle also is present), as well as Vietnam, are recognized as the lesser Chinese softshell turtle (P. parviformis) and Hunan softshell turtle (P. axenaria).[3]
It is difficult to determine its exact native range of the Chinese softshell turtle due to the long tradition of use as a food and herbal medicinal,[9] and subsequent spread by migrating people.[8] Outside their native China, escapees have been recorded in a wide range of countries and some of these have becomes established as introduced populations. Among the non-native locations in Asia are the Bonin Islands, Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Archipelago and Shikoku in Japan; South Korea; Laos; Vietnam; Thailand; Singapore; Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro and Panay in the Philippines; East and Peninsular Malaysia; Kalimantan, Sumatra and West Timor in Indonesia; East Timor; and Iran.[3] Outside Asia, locations include Pará in Brazil; Spain; and Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Oahu (Hawaii) in the United States.[3][10]
Habitat[edit]
Chinese softshell turtles live in fresh and brackish water.[11][12] In China these turtles are found in rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and creeks with slow currents, and in Hawaii they can be found in marshes and drainage ditches.[8]
Ecology and behavior[edit]
Diet[edit]
These turtles are predominantly carnivorous and the remains of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and seeds of marsh plants have been found in their stomachs.[8]
Movement[edit]
With their long snout and tubelike nostrils, these turtles can 'snorkel' in shallow water.[13] When resting, they lie at the bottom, buried in sand or mud, lifting their head to breathe or snatch at prey. Their basking habit is not well developed.[8]
Chinese softshell turtles often submerge their heads in water.[13] This is because they carry a gene which produces a protein that allows them to secrete urea from their mouths. This adaptation helps them survive in brackish water by making it possible for them to excrete urea without drinking too much salty water. Rather than eliminating urea by urinating through their cloaca as most turtles do, which involves significant water loss, they simply rinse their mouths in the water.[12][14]
When provoked, certain populations of these turtles are capable of excreting a foul smelling fluid from pores on the anterior edge of their shells.[15]
Life cycle[edit]
These turtles reach sexual maturity sometime between 4 and 6 years of age. They mate at the surface or under water. A male will hold the female's carapace with its forelimbs and may bite at her head, neck, and limbs. Females may retain sperm for almost a year after copulation.[8]
The females lay 8–30 eggs in a clutch and may lay from 2 to 5 clutches each year. The eggs are laid in a nest that is about 76–102 mm (3–4 in) across at the entrance. Eggs are spherical and average about 20 mm (0.79 in) in diameter. After an incubation period of about 60 days, which may be longer or shorter depending upon temperature, the eggs hatch. Average hatchling carapace length is about 25 mm (1 in) and width is also about 25 mm (1 in).[8] Sex of the hatchlings is not determined by incubation temperature.[15]
Conservation[edit]
Wild populations are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.[2]
Relations with humans[edit]
The Chinese softshell turtle is the most commonly raised species in China's turtle farms.[11][16] According to the data obtained from 684 Chinese turtle farms, they sold over 91 million turtles of this species every year; considering that these farms represented less than half of the 1,499 registered turtle farms in China, the nationwide total could be over twice as high.[4] These turtles are considered a delicacy in many parts of Asia.[13]Turtle soup is made from this species. In Japan, they may be stewed with hōtō noodles and served as a winter delicacy. Many Koreans, even today, generally have a taboo against eating turtles which has origins in native Korean Shamanism.
These turtles can be injured if they are dropped or hit, and are susceptible to shell fungus. Within Europe, the turtle is a popular pet, particularly in countries such as Italy and the Czech Republic. Captives of this species will eat canned and fresh fish, canned dog food, raw beef, mice, frogs, and chicken. However, in captivity they do not usually eat turtle feed.[8] They can deliver a painful bite if provoked, but will usually let go after a while.
Synonyms[edit]
Numerous synonyms have been used for this species:[17]
- Testudo rostrataThunberg, 1787 (nomen suppressum)
- Testudo striataSuckow, 1798
- Testudo semimembranaceaHermann, 1804 (nomen suppressum et rejectum)
- Emydes rostrata – Brongniart, 1805
- Trionyx (Aspidonectes) sinensisWiegmann, 1834 (nomen conservandum)
- Trionyx japonicus – Temminck & Schlegel, 1835
- Trionyx tuberculatusCantor, 1842
- Pelodiscus sinensis – Fitzinger, 1843
- Tyrse perocellataGray, 1844
- Trionyx perocellatus – Gray, 1856
- Trionyx schlegeliiBrandt, 1857
- Potamochelys perocellatus – Gray, 1864
- Potamochelys tuberculatus – Gray, 1864
- Landemania irrorataGray, 1869
- Landemania perocellata – Gray, 1869
- Trionyx peroculatusGünther, 1869 (ex errore)
- Gymnopus perocellatus – David, 1872
- Gymnopus simoniiDavid, 1875 (nomen nudum)
- Ceramopelta latirostrisHeude, 1880
- Cinctisternum bicinctumHeude, 1880
- Coelognathus novemcostatusHeude, 1880
- Coptopelta septemcostataHeude, 1880
- Gomphopelta officinaeHeude, 1880
- Psilognathus laevisHeude, 1880
- Temnognathus mordaxHeude, 1880
- Trionyx sinensis newtoniBethencourt-Ferreira, 1897
- Tortisternum novemcostatumHeude, 1880
- Temnognanthus mordax – Boulenger, 1889
- Tyrse sinensis – Hay, 1904
- Amyda japonica – Stejneger, 1907
- Amyda schlegelii – Stejneger, 1907
- Amyda sinensis – Stejneger, 1907
- Amyda tuberculata – Schmidt, 1927
- Trionyx sinensis sinensis – Smith, 1931
- Trionyx sinensis tuberculatus – Smith, 1931
- Amyda schlegelii haseriPavlov, 1932
- Amyda schlegelii licentiPavlov, 1932
- Amyda sinensis sinensis – Mertens, Müller & Rust, 1934
- Amyda sinensis tuberculata – Mertens, Müller & Rust, 1934
- Trionyx schlegeliChkhikvadze, 1987 (ex errore)
- Trionix sinensis – Richard, 1999
- Pelodiscus sinensis sinensis – Ferri, 2002
- Pelodiscus sinensis tuberculatus – Ferri, 2002
- Pelodiscus sinensis japonicus – Joseph-Ouni, 2004
Genetics[edit]
The genome of Pelodiscus sinensis was sequenced in 2013 to examine the development and evolution of the softshell turtle body plan.[18]
References[edit]
- ^ abRhodin 2010, p. 000.128
- ^ abAsian Turtle Trade Working Group (2000). 'Pelodiscus sinensis'. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2000: e.T39620A97401140. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2000.RLTS.T39620A10251914.en.
- ^ abcdefgRhodin, A.G.J., Iverson, J.B., Bour, R. Fritz, U., Georges, A., Shaffer, H.B., and van Dijk, P.P. (Turtle Taxonomy Working Group) (2017). Rhodin, A.G.J., Iverson, J.B., van Dijk, P.P., Saumure, R.A., Buhlmann, K.A., Pritchard, P.C.H., and Mittermeier, R.A. (eds.). Turtles of the World: Annotated Checklist and Atlas of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status. Chelonian Research Monographs. Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. 7 (8 ed.). pp. 1–292. doi:10.3854/crm.7.checklist.atlas.v8.2017. ISBN9781532350269.CS1 maint: Uses authors parameter (link) CS1 maint: Uses editors parameter (link)
- ^ abShi, Haitao; Parham, James F; Fan, Zhiyong; Hong, Meiling; Yin, Feng (2008-01-01), 'Evidence for the massive scale of turtle farming in China', Oryx, Cambridge University Press, 42, pp. 147–150, doi:10.1017/S0030605308000562, retrieved 2009-12-26
- ^Fritz, U., Gong, S., Auer, M., Kuchling, G., Schneeweiß, N., & Hundsdörfer, A. K. (2010). 'The world's economically most important chelonians represent a diverse species complex (Testudines: Trionychidae: Pelodiscus)'. Organisms Diversity & Evolution. 10 (3): 227–242. doi:10.1007/s13127-010-0007-1.CS1 maint: Uses authors parameter (link)
- ^ abErnst, C.H.; and J.E. Lovich (2009). Turtles of the United States and Canada (2 ed.). pp. 639, 641. ISBN978-0-8018-9121-2.CS1 maint: Uses authors parameter (link)
- ^Obst, Fritz Jurgen (1998). Cogger, H. G.; Zweifel, R. G. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 117–118. ISBN978-0-12-178560-4.
- ^ abcdefghC.H. Ernst, R.G.M. Altenburg & R.W. Barbour - Turtles of the World - Pelodiscus sinensis[1]
- ^Louis A. Somma. 2009. Pelodiscus sinensis. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL. [2] Revision Date: 6/29/2004 Accessed: 15/05/2009
- ^Brock, V. E. (1947). 'The establishment of Trionyx sinensis in Hawaii'. Copeia. 1947 (2): 142. doi:10.2307/1438656. JSTOR1438656.
- ^ abTrionyx sinensis, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, retrieved 5 September 2016
- ^ abKaufman, Rachel (12 October 2012). 'Turtles Urinate Via Their Mouths—A First'. National Geographic. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
- ^ abcDavies, Ella. 'Chinese turtle passes waste urea through its mouth'. BBC Nature. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
- ^Give us a kiss! The turtle that urinates through its mouth... and is a delicacy in Chinese restaurants | Mail Online
- ^ abBonin, Frank (2006). Turtles of the World. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins Press. pp. 146–147.
- ^Dharmananda, Subhuti, Endangered species issues affecting turtles and tortoises in Chinese medicine, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon, retrieved 5 September 2016
- ^Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). 'Checklist of Chelonians of the World'(PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 319–320. ISSN1864-5755. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2010-12-17. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
- ^Wang Z.; Pascual-Anaya J.; Zadissa A.; et al. (2013). 'The draft genomes of the soft-shell turtle and green sea turtle yield insights into the development and evolution of the turtle-specific body plan'. Nature Genetics. 45 (6): 701–706. doi:10.1038/ng.2615. PMC4000948. PMID23624526.
Bibliography[edit]
- Rhodin, Anders G.J.; Paul van Dijk, Peter; Iverson, John B.; Shaffer, H. Bradley (2010-12-14). 'Turtles of the World 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution and Conservation Status'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
- Wiegmann, A. F. A. 1835. Beiträge zur Zoologie, gesammelt auf einer Reise um die Erde, von Dr. F. J. F. Meyen. Amphibien '. Nova Acta Acad. Leopold.-Carol.17: 185-268. ('Trionyx (Aspidonectes ) sinensis ', new species, pp. 189–195). (in German).
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pelodiscus sinensis. |
- View the Chinese softshell turtle genome in Ensembl
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chinese_softshell_turtle&oldid=892756245'
![Turtles Of The World An Annotaed Turtles Of The World An Annotaed](http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/image/1-Cover_CRM_5(12)_2018lr.jpg)
(Redirected from Carettochelyidae)
Pig-nosed turtle | |
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Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[1] | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Testudines |
Suborder: | Cryptodira |
Superfamily: | Trionychia |
Family: | Carettochelyidae Boulenger, 1887 |
Genus: | Carettochelys Ramsay, 1886 |
Species: | |
Binomial name | |
Carettochelys insculpta Ramsay, 1886[2] | |
Synonyms[3] | |
|
The pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta), also known as the pitted-shelled turtle or Fly River turtle, is a species of turtle native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea.
- 3Behavior
Systematics[edit]
C. insculpta is the only living member of the genusCarettochelys, the subfamily Carettochelyinae, and the family Carettochelyidae, though several extinct carettochelyid species have been described from around the world. Some literature claims two subspecies, but a recent paper rejects this.[4]
Description[edit]
(video) Pig-nosed turtle swimming
The pig-nosed turtle is unlike any other species of freshwater turtle. The feet are flippers, resembling those of marine turtles. The nose looks like that of a pig, having the nostrils at the end of a fleshy snout, hence the common name. The carapace is typically grey or olive, with a leathery texture, while the plastron is cream-coloured. Males can be distinguished from females by their longer and narrower tails. Pig-nosed turtles can grow to about 70 cm (28 in) carapace length, with a weight of over 20 kg (44 lb).
C. insculpta in captivity
Unlike the soft-shelled turtles of the family Trionychidae, pig-nosed turtles retain a domed bony carapace beneath their leathery skin, rather than a flat plate. They also retain a solid plastron, connected to the carapace by a strong bony bridge, rather than the soft margin of the trionychids.[5]
Behavior[edit]
![Turtles Of The World An Annotaed Turtles Of The World An Annotaed](/uploads/1/2/4/9/124989591/430500842.jpg)
Pig-nosed turtles are not completely aquatic. Little is known about their general behaviour, as there have been few studies in the wild. Their known extreme aggression[6] in captivity suggests the species is markedly more territorial than most other turtles and tortoises. They seem to display a degree of social structure during the cooler dry season around the hydrothermal vents that line some river systems they inhabit.
Feeding[edit]
C. insculpta is omnivorous, eating a wide variety of plant and animal matter, including the fruit and leaves of figs, as well as crustaceans, molluscs and insects.
Breeding[edit]
Females of C. insculpta reach maturity at 18 or more years, and males around 16 years. They lay their eggs late in the dry season on sandy river banks. When the offspring are fully developed, they will stay inside the eggs in hibernation until conditions are suitable for emergence. Hatching may be triggered when the eggs have been flooded with water or by a sudden drop in air pressure signaling an approaching storm.
Using environmental triggers, along with vibrations created by other hatching turtles in the same clutch, gives a better chance for survival. Using a universal trigger rather than simply waiting for incubation to finish means they all hatch at the same time. This provides safety in numbers; also, the more turtles that hatch, the more help they have to dig through the sand to the surface.
Geographic range and habitat[edit]
C. insculpta is native to freshwater streams, lagoons and rivers of the Northern Territory of Australia, as well as to the island of New Guinea, where it is believed to occur in all the larger, and some smaller, southward-flowing rivers.[7]
Status and conservation[edit]
C. insculpta experienced a population decline of more than 50% in the thirty years between 1981 and 2011.[8] Although the turtles are protected in Indonesia under Law No. 5/1990 on Natural Resources and Ecosystems Conservation, smuggling occurs. Some 11,000 turtles captured from smugglers were released into their habitats in the Wania River, Papua Province, Indonesia, on 30 December 2010. In March 2009, more than 10,000 turtles retrieved from smugglers were also released into the Otakwa River in Lorentz National Park.[9] 687 pig-nosed turtles were seized at an Indonesian airport in March 2013. They were reportedly destined for Hong Kong.
Captive care[edit]
Carettochelys insculpta at the Los Angeles Zoo.
Pig-nosed turtles have become available through the exotic pet trade, with a few instances of captive breeding. While juveniles are small and grow slowly, their high cost and large potential size makes them suitable only for experienced aquatic turtle keepers. They tend to be shy and prone to stress. They get sick easily, which can cause problems with their feeding, but they are known to eat commercially available processed turtle pellets or trout chow, as well as various fruits and vegetables. Breeding is rarely an option to the hobbyist, as adults are highly aggressive and will attack each other in all but the largest enclosures.
Wild populations of this turtle are declining rapidly because of illegal capture for the pet trade. It is estimated that between 2003 and 2013, more than 80,000 individuals were confiscated in 30 seizures in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.[10]
References[edit]
- ^Eisemberg, C., van Dijk, P.P., Georges, A. & Amepou, Y. 2018. Carettochelys insculpta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T3898A2884984. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T3898A2884984.en. Downloaded on 20 December 2018.
- ^Ramsay, E.P. (1886). 'On a new genus and species of fresh water tortoise from the Fly River, New Guinea'. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales (2) 1: 158-162.(Read Full Paper)
- ^Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). 'Checklist of Chelonians of the World'(PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 163–164. Archived from the original(PDF) on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
- ^Georges, A.; Thomson, S. (2010). 'Diversity of Australasian freshwater turtles, with an annotated synonymy and keys to species'. Zootaxa2496: 1–37.
- ^Obst, Fritz Jurgen (1998). Cogger, H.G.; Zweifel, R.G. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 118. ISBN978-0-12-178560-4.
- ^Bargeron, Michael (1997). 'The Pig-nosed Turtle, Carettochelys insculpta'. California Turtle & Tortoise Club. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
- ^Georges, A.; Rose, M. (1993). 'Conservation biology of the pig-nosed turtle, Carettochelys insculpta '. Chelonian Conservation and Biology1: 3-12.
- ^'Unique Pig-Nosed Turtle Reaches Brink of Extinction'. TreeHugger. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ^'Over 10,000 pig-nose turtles released into habitat'. Antara News. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ^https://www.pri.org/stories/2014-10-08/pig-nosed-turtles-are-adorable-and-thats-made-them-target-traffickers
Further reading[edit]
- Boulenger, George Albert (1889). Catalogue of the Chelonians, Rhynchocephalians, and Crocodiles in the British Museum (Natural History). New Edition. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). x + 311 pp. + Plates I-III. (Carettochelys insculpta, p. 236).
- Goin, Coleman J.; Goin, Olive B.; Zug, George R. (1978). Introduction to Herpetology, Third Edition. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman and Company. xi + 378 pp. ISBN0-7167-0020-4. (Carettochelys insculpta, pp. 264–265).
External links[edit]
- Species Carettochelys insculpta at The Reptile Database
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Carettochelys insculpta. |
Wikispecies has information related to Carettochelys insculpta |
- Australian Dept of the Environment website on Pig-nosed Turtle Accessed 10 July 2007
- The Pig-nosed Turtle, Carettochelys insculpta at California Turtle & Tortoise Club (CTTC)
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pig-nosed_turtle&oldid=888893455'