Red-necked pond turtle

Red-necked pond turtle
File:Kwangtung Turtle (Mauremys nigricans).JPG
Female M. nigricans
Conservation status
Endangered Endangered  (IUCN 2.3)
CITES Appendix II
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Family:	Geoemydidae
Genus:	Mauremys
Species:	M. nigricans
Binomial name
Mauremys nigricans Grey, 1834
Synonyms
Emys nigracans Gray, 1856 (ex errore) Clemmys nigricans Strauch, 1862 Damonia nigricans Gray, 1869 Chinemys nigricans Fang, 1934 Geoclemys kwangtungensis Pope, 1934 Clemmys kuangtungensis Mell, 1938 (ex errore) Chinemys kwangtungensis Bourret, 1941 Geoclemys palaeannamitica Bourret, 1941 Chinemys palaeannamitica Bour, 1980 Mauremys nigricans Spinks, Shaffer, Iverson & McCord, 2004

The red-necked pond turtle (Mauremys nigricans) is a species of turtles in the family Geoemydidae endemic to China. It is most likely restricted to Guangxi and Guangdong provinces, although pre-historic skull remains have been found in northern Vietnam and Hainan. Other common names include Kwangtung river turtle and black-necked pond turtle.

Anatomy and morphology

A megacephalic form of the red-necked pond turtle exists, commonly called 'dumb-head'. This form is rarer than the smaller headed individuals. This species has strong sexual dimorphism with a significant size difference between males and females. The largest recorded male's carapace measured 185mm (7.2 in) in length whereas females with a size up to 298 mm (11.7 in) have been found.

References

• Asian Turtle Trade Working Group 2000. Chinemys nigricans. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 July 2007.

Bibliography