The Namoi River snapping turtle (''Myuchelys bellii'' ), also commonly known as Bell's turtle, the Namoi River elseya, or Bell's saw-shelled turtle, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
turtle
Turtles are an order of reptiles known as Testudines, characterized by a special shell developed mainly from their ribs. Modern turtles are divided into two major groups, the Pleurodira (side necked turtles) and Cryptodira (hidden necked t ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Chelidae.
The species is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...
to
New South Wales
)
, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
,
Australia.
Description
''Myuchelys bellii'' is the largest species in the ''Myuchelys genus'' with adult males (up to 227 mm carapace length) smaller than females (up to 300 mm carapace length). They are a uniform light to dark brown color with a broad oval shape. Juveniles display a serrated posterior edge of the carapace this may persist into so adults but begin to smooth. The plastron in adults is a pale yellow with dark dark patches or streaks. Have a prominent shield on dorsal surface of the head extending posterior toward but not touching the tympanum. Forelimbs each have five claws and the hind limbs have four claws. Gray tail which is shorter than half the carapace length. Hatchling have a (mean carapace length 26.7 ± 0.3 mm; mean carapace width 26.8 ± 0.6 mm, n = 16).
Etymology
The
specific name, ''bellii'', and some of the common names, are in honor of
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
zoologist
Zoology ()The pronunciation of zoology as is usually regarded as nonstandard, though it is not uncommon. is the branch of biology that studies the Animal, animal kingdom, including the anatomy, structure, embryology, evolution, Biological clas ...
Thomas Bell.
Geographic range
''M. bellii'' occurs in the upper reaches of the
Namoi,
Gwydir,
Macdonald, and
Severn
, name_etymology =
, image = SevernFromCastleCB.JPG
, image_size = 288
, image_caption = The river seen from Shrewsbury Castle
, map = RiverSevernMap.jpg
, map_size = 288
, map_c ...
Rivers in northern New South Wales, Australia.
[New South Wales National Parks & Wildlife Service (2003). ''Threatened Species of the New England Tablelands & NW Slopes of NSW''. .]
References
Further reading
*Cann J (1998). ''Australian Freshwater Turtles''. Singapore: Beaumont Publishing. 292 pp. .
*
*
*Thomson S, Georges A (2009). "''Myuchelys gen nov.'' — a new genus for ''Elseya latisternum'' and related forms of Australian freshwater turtle (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae)". ''Zootaxa'' 2053: 32–42.
*Wells RW (2007). "Some taxonomic and nomenclatural considerations on the class Reptilia in Australia. A new genus of the family Chelidae from eastern Australia". ''Australian Biodiversity Record'' (3): 1-13.
External links
Bell's turtlefrom the
Government of Queensland
The Queensland Government is the democratic administrative authority of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland. The Government of Queensland, a parliamentary system, parliamentary constitutional monarchy was form ...
{{Taxonbar, from=Q572928
Turtles of Australia
Endangered fauna of Australia
Myuchelys
Endemic fauna of Australia
Reptiles described in 1844
Taxa named by John Edward Gray
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot