Big-headed turtle
| Big-headed turtle | |
|---|---|
| File:Zolw wielkoglowy.jpg | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Suborder: | |
| Family: |
Platysternidae
Gray, 1869[2]
|
| Genus: |
Platysternon
Gray, 1831[2]
|
| Species: |
P. megacephalum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Platysternon megacephalum |
|
| Synonyms[3] | |
|
|
Lua error in Module:Taxonbar/candidate at line 22: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
The big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) is a species of turtle in the family Platysternidae from the Southeast Asia and southern China.[2]
Contents
Background
Previously considered a distinct family placed on occasion in "Kinosternoidea", it was later moved to the Emydidae.[citation needed] With the Geoemydidae being split off from these, it seems wisest to reinstate, at least for the time being, the Platysternidae.[citation needed] This, as well as the subfamily and the genus Platysternon, are monotypic.[citation needed]
Distribution
It is found in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.[2]
Behaviour
The big-headed turtle is known to readily climb over obstacles in and around rivers and fast streams, using its tail as a prop to extend the reach of its strong claws; it also uses its beak to assist in climbing.[4] It has been reported to climb trees and bushes. It is not a strong swimmer, and when swimming, this species occasionally arches its tail in the manner of a scorpion.[4] The big-headed turtle cannot pull its head in its shell. That being the case, it will not hesitate to use its powerful jaws to defend itself. It is a fish and snail eater.
Exploitation
The big-headed turtle is readily consumed in Asia and is frequently a market item. Hunters capture them on lines with baited straight pins, so this species is rapidly disappearing in the wild.[5]
Subspecies
- P. m. megacephalum, China, 1831[2]
- P. m. peguense, Myanmar and Thailand, 1870[2]
- P. m. shiui, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, 1987[2]
In addition, two other subspecies P. m. tristernalis (1984) and P. m. vogeli (1969) have been given, but may be invalid.[6]
References
- ↑ Asian Turtle Trade Working Group 2000. Platysternon megacephalum. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 July 2007.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Rhodin 2010, pp. 000.107
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kirkpatrick, David T. 1995. Platysternon megacephalum. Reptile & Amphibian Magazine, November/December 1995, pages 40 – 47. C/R. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
- ↑ James E. Barzyk Turtles in Crisis: The Asian Food Markets. The article itself is not dated, but mostly refers to data in the range 1995-2000.
- ↑ Platysternon megacephalum
- * Pritchard, D. 1979. Encyclopedia of Turtles. New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Ltd.
- Bibliography
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Big-headed turtle (Platysternidae)
- (Chinese) Big-headed turtle
- (Spanish) Platysternon megacephalum
|
Extant turtle taxonomy
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suborder |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cryptodira |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pleurodira |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
