Indian eyed turtle

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Indian eyed turtle
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Scientific classification
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M. petersi
Binomial name
Morenia petersi
(Anderson, 1879)

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The Indian eyed turtle (Morenia petersi) is a species of turtle found in northeastern India (as far west as Bihar) and Bangladesh. Named after German herpetologist Wilhelm Peters (1815–1883).

Description

Morenia petersi is very closely allied to Morenia ocellata. The snout is much more pointed and relatively longer. The suture between the pectorals is not shorter than the suture between the abdominals. The carapace is black, each vertebral has a narrow yellowish mesial line. The last four vertebrals have a yellowish linear horseshoe mark with both ends directed forward. All costals have an ocellus placed rather low and formed by a narrow yellowish line, above which are some irregular looped lines of similar colour. The nuchal and each marginal have a narrow, vertical yellowish mesial streak. The plastron is yellow. There are three yellow streaks on each side of the head, the lower one extending from below the nostril to the angle of the mouth.[1] Males can achieve a shell length of up to 5 (about 12 cm) inches, females can achieve a shell length of up to 8 (about 20 cm) inches.

Type locality: Huzurapur (Jessore District), Faridpur and Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Natural history

Mating occurs in the winter months, and nesting follows in April–May. A clutch is made up of two eggs(34.6–35 cm x 22 cm)

Notes

  1. Boulenger, G. A. 1890. Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Batrachia.

References

  • Asian Turtle Trade Working Group (2000). Morenia petersi. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 9 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is vulnerable
  • Anderson, JOHN 1879 Anatomical and Zoological Researches: Comprising an Account of the Zoological Results of the Two Expeditions to Western Yunnan in 1866 and 1875; and a Monograph of the Two Cetacean Genera Platanista and Orcella. Bernard Quaritch, London, 1878. Two volumes (Text: 985 pages [herpetology: pages 703-860, 969-975]; Atlas: 85 plates [herpetological plates 55-78, 75A, 75B]).
  • Das, I. 1991. Colour guide to the turtles and tortoises of the Indian subcontinent. R&A, Publ. Avon, England. 133 pages.

External links