Indian softshell turtle

Not to be confused with other species with similar common names at Indian softshell turtle (disambiguation).

Indian softshell turtle
Babai River, Nepal
Immature (the dark eyespots on the carapace are indistinct or absent in adults)[1]
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[3]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Family: Trionychidae
Genus: Nilssonia
Species:
N. gangetica
Binomial name
Nilssonia gangetica
(Cuvier, 1825)[2]
Synonyms[4]
  • Trionyx gangeticus Cuvier, 1825
  • Trionyx javanicus Gray, 1831
  • Testudo gotaghol Buchanan-Hamilton, 1831 (nomen nudum)
  • Aspidonectes gangeticus Wagler, 1833
  • Gymnopus duvaucelii Duméril & Bibron, 1835
  • Tyrse gangetica Gray, 1844
  • Trionyx gangetiga Gray, 1873 (ex errore)
  • Isola gangetica Baur, 1893
  • Aspideretes gangeticus Hay, 1904
  • Trionyx gangeticus mahanaddicus Annandale, 1912
  • Gymnopus duvaucelli Smith, 1931
  • Amyda gangetica Mertens, Müller & Rust, 1934
  • Trionix gangeticus Richard, 1999

The Indian softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica), or Ganges softshell turtle is a species of softshell turtle found in South Asia in rivers such as the Ganges, Indus and Mahanadi. This vulnerable turtle reaches a carapace length of up to 94 cm (37 in).[1] It feeds mostly on fish, amphibians, carrion and other animal matter, but also takes aquatic plants.[1] This turtle is listed in part II of Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and possession of this species is an offence.[5]

  1. ^ a b c Ernst, C.H.; Altenburg, R.G.M.; and Barbour, R.W. (1997). Aspideretes gangeticus Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Turtles of the World. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b Ahmed, M.F.; Choudhury, B.C.; Das, I.; Singh, S. (2021). "Nilssonia gangetica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T39618A2930943. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T39618A2930943.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  4. ^ Fritz Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 310. doi:10.3897/vz.57.e30895. ISSN 1864-5755.
  5. ^ "SC: Possession of 'Indian Flap Shell Turtle' not an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act [Read Judgment]". Latest Laws. Retrieved 2021-10-03.