Pelodiscus sinensis

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Superclassis: Sarcopterygii
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Cladus: Archelosauria
Division: Pan-Testudines
Division: Testudinata
Ordo: Testudines
Subordo: Cryptodira
Superfamilia: Trionychoidea

Familia: Trionychidae
Subfamilia: Trionychinae
Genus: Pelodiscus
Species: Pelodiscus sinensis
Name

Pelodiscus sinensis (Wiegmann, 1835; Trionyx)
Type locality: Manzhouli
Syntypes: ZMB 38, 39 extant, and ZMB 37 lost. Lectotype: ZMB 38, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin

Synonyms

Testudo rostrata Thunberg 1787:179 (nomen oblitum, ICZN 1991)
Testudo semimembranacea Hermann 1804:219 (nomen oblitum, ICZN 1963)
Trionyx (Aspidonectes) sinensis Wiegmann 1835:189 (nomen protectum, ICZN 1991)
Trionyx stellatus var. japon Temminck & Schlegel 1835: plates V-VII (in Siebold) invalid vernacular name.
Trionyx tuberculatus Cantor 1842:482
Tyrse perocellata Gray 1844:48
Trionyx perocellatus Gray 1855:65
Trionyx schlegeli Brandt 1858:610
Trionyx sinensis Strauch 1862:177
Landemania irrorata Gray 1869:216
Oscaria swinhoei Gray 1873
Gymnopus simonii Duméril 1875 (nomen nudum)
Yuen leprosus Heude 1880
Yuen viridis Heude 1880
Yuen pallens Heude 1880
Psilognathus laevis Heude 1880:24
Temnognathus mordax Heude 1880:26
Gomphopelta officinae Heude 1880:27
Coelognathus novem-costatus Heude 1880:29
Tortisternum novem-costatum Heude 1880:31
Ceramopelta latirostris Heude 1880:33
Coptopelta septem-costata Heude 1880:35
Cinctisternum bicinctum Heude 1880:37
Trionyx sinensis Gunther 1888:166
Trionyx swinhonis Boulenger 1889 (nom. subst. pro Oscaria swinhoei Gray)
Trionyx cartilagineus var. newtoni Ferreira 1897
Amyda japonica Stejneger 1907: 515
Amyda sinensis Stejneger 1907: 524
Amyda schlegelii Stejneger 1907: 526
Trionyx sinensis cyphus Vogt 1922 (nomen nudem)
Amyda schlegeli haseri Panlow 1932
Amyda schlegeli licenti Panlow 1932
Trionyx sinensis Alderton 1988
Pelodiscus sinensis Cox et al. 1998:135
Pelodiscus sinensis TTWG 2014

References

C.H. Ernst and R.W. Barbour: Turtles of the World. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington 1989, ISBN 1-56098-212-8
Wiegmann, A. F. A., 1834. Nova Acta Acad. Leopold. Carol. Halle 17: 189.
Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (Rhodin, A.G.J., Iverson, J.B., Bour, R., Fritz, U., Georges, A., Shaffer, H.B. & van Dijk, P.P.). 2017. Turtles of the World: Annotated Checklist and Atlas of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status (8th Ed.). Chelonian Research Monographs 7: 1–292. ISBN 978-1-5323-5026-9. DOI: 10.3854/crm.7.checklist.atlas.v8.2017. Paywall. Full article (PDF). Reference page.

Links

Uetz, P. & Hallermann, J. 2022. Pelodiscus sinensis. The Reptile Database.
IUCN: Pelodiscus sinensis (Vulnerable)

Vernacular names
čeština: Kožnatka čínská
Deutsch: Chinesische Weichschildkröte
English: Chinese softshell turtle, Chinese Soft-shelled Turtle
magyar: Kínai lágyhéjú teknős
日本語: ニホンスッポン
한국어: 자라
polski: Żółwiak chiński
ไทย: ตะพาบไต้หวัน
中文: 中華鱉

The Chinese softshell turtle[1] (Pelodiscus sinensis) is a species of softshell turtle that is endemic to China (Inner Mongolia to Hainan), with records of escapees—some of which have established introduced populations—in a wide range of other Asian countries, as well as Spain, Brazil and Hawaii.[3]

Populations native to Northeast China, Russia, Korea and Japan were formerly included in this species, but are now regarded as separate as the northern Chinese softshell turtle (P. maackii). Furthermore, localized populations in Guangxi and Hunan (where the Chinese softshell turtle also is present), as well as Vietnam, are recognized as the lesser Chinese softshell turtle (P. parviformis) and Hunan softshell turtle (P. axenaria).[3]

The Chinese softshell turtle is a vulnerable species,[3] threatened by habitat loss and collection for food such as turtle soup. Millions are now farmed, especially in China, to support the food industry,[4] and it is the world's most economically important turtle.[5]

Description

Females of the Chinese softshell turtle can reach up to 33 cm (13 in) in carapace length, while the smaller males reach 27 cm (11 in), but however have longer tails than the females.[6] Maturity is reached at a carapace length of 18–19 cm (7–7.5 in).[6] It has webbed feet for swimming. They are called "softshell" because their carapace lacks horny scutes (scales). The carapace is leathery and pliable, particularly at the sides. The central part of the carapace has a layer of solid bone beneath it, as in other turtles, but this is absent at the outer edges. The light and flexible shell of these turtles allows them to move more easily in open water, or in muddy lake bottoms.[7]

The carapace of these turtles is olive in color and may have dark blotches. The plastron is orange-red, and may also have large dark blotches. The limbs and head are olive dorsally with the forelimbs lighter and the hind-limbs orange-red ventrally. There are dark flecks on the head and dark lines that radiate from the eyes. The throat is mottled and there may be small, dark bars on the lips. A pair of dark blotches is found in front of the tail as well as a black band on the posterior side of each thigh.[8]
Distribution and habitat
Pelodiscus sinensis
Distribution

The Chinese softshell turtle is endemic to China, where it is found in Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Henan, Hong Kong, Hubei, Hunan, Inner Mongolia (Nei Mongol), Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan and Zhejiang Provinces, as well as Taiwan.[3]

Populations native to Northeast China, Russia, Korea and Japan were formerly included in this species, but are now regarded as separate as the northern Chinese softshell turtle (P. maackii). Furthermore, localized populations in Guangxi and Hunan (where the Chinese softshell turtle also is present), as well as Vietnam, are recognized as the lesser Chinese softshell turtle (P. parviformis) and Hunan softshell turtle (P. axenaria).[3]

It is difficult to determine its exact native range of the Chinese softshell turtle due to the long tradition of use as a food and herbal medicinal,[9] and subsequent spread by migrating people.[8] Outside their native China, escapees have been recorded in a wide range of countries and some of these have becomes established as introduced populations. Among the non-native locations in Asia are the Bonin Islands, Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Archipelago and Shikoku in Japan; South Korea; Laos; Vietnam; Thailand; Singapore; Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro and Panay in the Philippines; East and Peninsular Malaysia; Kalimantan, Sumatra and West Timor in Indonesia; East Timor; and Iran.[3] Outside Asia, locations include Pará in Brazil; Spain; and Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Oahu (Hawaii) in the United States.[3][10]
Habitat

Chinese softshell turtles live in fresh and brackish water.[11][12] In China these turtles are found in rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and creeks with slow currents, and in Hawaii they can be found in marshes and drainage ditches.[8]
Ecology and behavior
Diet

These turtles are predominantly carnivorous and the remains of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and seeds of marsh plants have been found in their stomachs.[8]
Movement

With their long snout and tubelike nostrils, these turtles can "snorkel" in shallow water.[13] When resting, they lie at the bottom, buried in sand or mud, lifting their head to breathe or snatch at prey. Their basking habit is not well developed.[8]

Chinese softshell turtles often submerge their heads in water.[13] This is because they carry a gene which produces a protein that allows them to secrete urea from their mouths. This adaptation helps them survive in brackish water by making it possible for them to excrete urea without drinking too much salty water. Rather than eliminating urea by urinating through their cloaca as most turtles do, which involves significant water loss, they simply rinse their mouths in the water.[12]

When provoked, certain populations of these turtles are capable of excreting a foul smelling fluid from pores on the anterior edge of their shells.[14]
Life cycle

These turtles reach sexual maturity sometime between 4 and 6 years of age. They mate at the surface or under water. A male will hold the female's carapace with its forelimbs and may bite at her head, neck, and limbs. Females may retain sperm for almost a year after copulation.[8]

The females lay 8–30 eggs in a clutch and may lay from 2 to 5 clutches each year. The eggs are laid in a nest that is about 76–102 mm (3–4 in) across at the entrance. Eggs are spherical and average about 20 mm (0.79 in) in diameter. After an incubation period of about 60 days, which may be longer or shorter depending upon temperature, the eggs hatch. Average hatchling carapace length is about 25 mm (1 in) and width is also about 25 mm (1 in).[8] Sex of the hatchlings is not determined by incubation temperature.[14]
Conservation

Wild populations are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.[2]
Relations with humans

The Chinese softshell turtle is the most commonly raised species in China's turtle farms.[11][15] According to the data obtained from 684 Chinese turtle farms, they sold over 91 million turtles of this species every year; considering that these farms represented less than half of the 1,499 registered turtle farms in China, the nationwide total could be over twice as high.[4] These turtles are considered a delicacy in many parts of Asia.[13] Turtle soup is made from this species. In Japan, they may be stewed with hōtō noodles and served as a winter delicacy. Many Koreans, even today, generally have a taboo against eating turtles which has origins in native Korean shamanism.

These turtles can be injured if they are dropped or hit, and are susceptible to shell fungus. Within Europe, the turtle is a popular pet, particularly in countries such as Italy and the Czech Republic. Captives of this species will eat canned and fresh fish, canned dog food, raw beef, mice, frogs, and chicken. However, in captivity they do not usually eat turtle feed.[8] They can deliver a painful bite if provoked, but will usually let go after a while.
Synonyms

Numerous synonyms have been used for this species:[16]

Testudo rostrata Thunberg, 1787 (nomen suppressum)
Testudo striata Suckow, 1798
Testudo semimembranacea Hermann, 1804 (nomen suppressum et rejectum)
Emydes rostrata – Brongniart, 1805
Trionyx (Aspidonectes) sinensis Wiegmann, 1834 (nomen conservandum)
Trionyx japonicus – Temminck & Schlegel, 1835
Trionyx tuberculatus Cantor, 1842
Pelodiscus sinensis – Fitzinger, 1843
Tyrse perocellata Gray, 1844
Trionyx perocellatus – Gray, 1856
Trionyx schlegelii Brandt, 1857
Potamochelys perocellatus – Gray, 1864
Potamochelys tuberculatus – Gray, 1864
Landemania irrorata Gray, 1869
Landemania perocellata – Gray, 1869
Trionyx peroculatus Günther, 1869 (ex errore)
Gymnopus perocellatus – David, 1872
Gymnopus simonii David, 1875 (nomen nudum)
Ceramopelta latirostris Heude, 1880
Cinctisternum bicinctum Heude, 1880
Coelognathus novemcostatus Heude, 1880
Coptopelta septemcostata Heude, 1880
Gomphopelta officinae Heude, 1880
Psilognathus laevis Heude, 1880
Temnognathus mordax Heude, 1880
Trionyx sinensis newtoni Bethencourt-Ferreira, 1897
Tortisternum novemcostatum Heude, 1880
Temnognanthus mordax – Boulenger, 1889
Tyrse sinensis – Hay, 1904
Amyda japonica – Stejneger, 1907
Amyda schlegelii – Stejneger, 1907
Amyda sinensis – Stejneger, 1907
Amyda tuberculata – Schmidt, 1927
Trionyx sinensis sinensis – Smith, 1931
Trionyx sinensis tuberculatus – Smith, 1931
Amyda schlegelii haseri Pavlov, 1932
Amyda schlegelii licenti Pavlov, 1932
Amyda sinensis sinensis – Mertens, Müller & Rust, 1934
Amyda sinensis tuberculata – Mertens, Müller & Rust, 1934
Trionyx schlegeli Chkhikvadze, 1987 (ex errore)
Trionix sinensis – Richard, 1999
Pelodiscus sinensis sinensis – Ferri, 2002
Pelodiscus sinensis tuberculatus – Ferri, 2002
Pelodiscus sinensis japonicus – Joseph-Ouni, 2004

Genetics

The genome of Pelodiscus sinensis was sequenced in 2013 to examine the development and evolution of the softshell turtle body plan.[17]
References

Rhodin 2010, p. 000.128
Asian Turtle Trade Working Group (2000). "Pelodiscus sinensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2000: e.T39620A97401140. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2000.RLTS.T39620A10251914.en.{{cite iucn}}: error: |doi= / |page= mismatch (help)
Rhodin, A.G.J., Iverson, J.B., Bour, R. Fritz, U., Georges, A., Shaffer, H.B., and van Dijk, P.P. (Turtle Taxonomy Working Group) (2017). Rhodin, A.G.J.; Iverson, J.B.; van Dijk, P.P.; et al. (eds.). Turtles of the World: Annotated Checklist and Atlas of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status. Chelonian Research Monographs. Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Vol. 7 (8 ed.). pp. 1–292. doi:10.3854/crm.7.checklist.atlas.v8.2017. ISBN 9781532350269. S2CID 89826255.
Shi, Haitao; Parham, James F; Fan, Zhiyong; Hong, Meiling; Yin, Feng (2008-01-01), "Evidence for the massive scale of turtle farming in China", Oryx, Cambridge University Press, vol. 42, pp. 147–150, doi:10.1017/S0030605308000562
Fritz, U., Gong, S., Auer, M., Kuchling, G., Schneeweiß, N., & Hundsdörfer, A. K. (2010). "The world's economically most important chelonians represent a diverse species complex (Testudines: Trionychidae: Pelodiscus)". Organisms Diversity & Evolution. 10 (3): 227–242. doi:10.1007/s13127-010-0007-1. S2CID 46472936.
Ernst, C.H.; J.E. Lovich (2009). Turtles of the United States and Canada (2 ed.). pp. 639, 641. ISBN 978-0-8018-9121-2.
Obst, Fritz Jurgen (1998). Cogger, H. G.; Zweifel, R. G. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 117–118. ISBN 978-0-12-178560-4.
C.H. Ernst, R.G.M. Altenburg & R.W. Barbour - Turtles of the World - Pelodiscus sinensis [1] Archived 2011-06-08 at the Wayback Machine
Louis A. Somma. 2009. Pelodiscus sinensis. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL. [2] Archived 2009-05-11 at the Wayback Machine Revision Date: 6/29/2004 Accessed: 15/05/2009
Brock, V. E. (1947). "The establishment of Trionyx sinensis in Hawaii". Copeia. 1947 (2): 142. doi:10.2307/1438656. JSTOR 1438656.
Trionyx sinensis, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, retrieved 5 September 2016
Kaufman, Rachel (12 October 2012). "Turtles Urinate Via Their Mouths—A First". National Geographic. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
Davies, Ella. "Chinese turtle passes waste urea through its mouth". BBC Nature. Archived from the original on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
Bonin, Frank (2006). Turtles of the World. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins Press. pp. 146–147.
Dharmananda, Subhuti, Endangered species issues affecting turtles and tortoises in Chinese medicine, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon, retrieved 5 September 2016
Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 319–320. ISSN 1864-5755. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-17. Retrieved 29 May 2012.

Wang Z.; Pascual-Anaya J.; Zadissa A.; et al. (2013). "The draft genomes of the soft-shell turtle and green sea turtle yield insights into the development and evolution of the turtle-specific body plan". Nature Genetics. 45 (6): 701–706. doi:10.1038/ng.2615. PMC 4000948. PMID 23624526.

Bibliography

Rhodin, Anders G.J.; Paul van Dijk, Peter; Iverson, John B.; Shaffer, H. Bradley (2010-12-14). "Turtles of the World 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution and Conservation Status" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
Wiegmann, A. F. A. 1835. Beiträge zur Zoologie, gesammelt auf einer Reise um die Erde, von Dr. F. J. F. Meyen. Amphibien ". Nova Acta Acad. Leopold.-Carol. 17: 185-268. ("Trionyx (Aspidonectes ) sinensis ", new species, pp. 189–195). (in German).