Big-headed turtle

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Big-headed turtle
File:Zolw wielkoglowy.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Reptilia
Order:
Testudines
Suborder:
Cryptodira
Family:
Platysternidae

Gray, 1869[2]
Genus:
Platysternon

Gray, 1831[2]
Species:
P. megacephalum
Binomial name
Platysternon megacephalum
Gray, 1831[2]
Synonyms[3]
Platysternon megacephalum megacephalum
  • Platysternon megacephalum Gray, 1831
  • Platisternon megacephalus Gray, 1834
  • Platysternon megacephalus Gray, 1835
  • Emys megacephala Schlegel, 1838
  • Platysternon magacephalum Fitzinger, 1843 (ex errore)
  • Platysternum megacephalum Boulenger, 1889
  • Platysternon platycephalum Mertens, 1959 (ex errore)
  • Platysternum megalocephalum Stanek, 1959 (ex errore)
  • Platysternon megacephalum megacephalum Wermuth, 1960
  • Platysternon magacephalum megacephalum Pritchard, 1979
  • Platysternon megacephalum tristernalis Schleich & Gruber, 1984
  • Platysternon megacephalum tristornalis Alderton, 1988 (ex errore)
Platysternon megacephalum peguense
  • Platysternon peguense Gray, 1870
  • Platysternon megacephalum peguense Wermuth, 1960
  • Platysternon megacephalum vogeli Wermuth, 1969
  • Platysternon megacephalum penguense Nutaphand, 1979 (ex errore)
  • Platysternon megacephalum penuense Nutaphand, 1979 (ex errore)
  • Platysternon megacephalum peguensis Sharma, 1998 (ex errore)
Platysternon megacephalum shiui
  • Platysternon megacephalum shiui Ernst & McCord, 1987

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The big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) is a species of turtle in the family Platysternidae from the Southeast Asia and southern China.[2]

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

File:Platysternon megalocephalum.jpg
220px

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

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  • * Pritchard, D. 1979. Encyclopedia of Turtles. New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Ltd.
Bibliography
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External links

  1. ↑ Asian Turtle Trade Working Group 2000. Platysternon megacephalum. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 July 2007.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Rhodin 2010, pp. 000.107
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Platysternon megacephalum
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