Euphrates softshell turtle

Euphrates softshell turtle
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Family: Trionychidae
Genus: Rafetus
Species:
R. euphraticus
Binomial name
Rafetus euphraticus
(Daudin, 1801)
Synonyms[3]
List
  • Testudo euphratica Daudin, 1801
  • Testudo rafcht Olivier, 1807
  • Trionyx euphraticus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809
  • Testudo rascht Gray, 1831 (ex errore)
  • Gymnopus euphraticus Duméril & Bibron, 1835
  • Tyrse rafeht Gray, 1844 (ex errore)
  • Trionyx rafeht Gray, 1856
  • Rafetus euphraticus Gray, 1864
  • Pelodiscus euphraticus Baur, 1893
  • Amyda euphratica Hay, 1904
  • Tyrse euphratica Hay, 1904
  • Trionix euphracticus Richard, 1999 (ex errore)
Rafetus euphraticus

The Euphrates softshell turtle (Rafetus euphraticus), also known as the Mesopotamian softshell turtle,[4] 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 two typically require in-hand examination to be separated).[5]

The Euphrates softshell turtle is an endangered species that primarily is threatened by habitat loss and alteration, especially the building of dams,[5] but to lesser extent also pollution and killing by fishermen.[6]

  1. ^ Ghaffari, H.; Taskavak, E.; Turkozan, O. & Mobaraki, A. (2017). "Rafetus euphraticus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T19070A1956551. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T19070A1956551.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ Fritz, Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 320–321. ISSN 1864-5755. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-01. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  4. ^ Mobaraki, A.; A. Mola (2011). "Mesopotamian soft shell turtle (Rafetus euphraticus), the strangest turtle of the Middle East" (PDF). Wildlife Middle East Newsletter. 5 (4): 6.
  5. ^ a b Taskavak, E.; M. K. Atatür; H. Ghaffari; P.A. Meylan (2016). A.G.J. Rhodin; J.B. Iverson; P.P. van Dijk; et al. (eds.). "Rafetus euphraticus (Daudin 1801) – Euphrates Softshell Turtle". Conservation Biology of Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Chelonian Research Monographs. 5. Chelonian Research Foundation. doi:10.3854/crm.5.098.euphraticus.v1.2016. ISBN 978-0965354097. S2CID 244893991.
  6. ^ Ghaffari, Hanyeh; Taskavak, Ertan; Karami, Mahmood (2008). "Conservation Status of the Euphrates Softshell Turtle, Rafetus euphraticus, in Iran". Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 7 (2). Chelonian Research Foundation: 223–229. doi:10.2744/ccb-0717.1. S2CID 86464224.[permanent dead link‍]