East African black mud turtle

East African black mud turtle
File:Pelusios subniger subniger - adult Pan Terrapin.jpg
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Pelomedusidae
Genus:	Pelusios
Species:	P. subniger
Binomial name
Pelusios subniger (Lacépède, 1788)

The East African black mud turtle (Pan terrapin) (Pelusios subniger) is a species of turtles in the Pelomedusidae family, traditionally found in eastern and southeastern Africa, including Madagascar. Nonindigenous populations exist on Mauritius Island, Glorieues Îsles, and Diego Garcia. This species is commonly confused with Pelusios castaneus.

Description

The East African black mud turtle has a smooth, domed carapace with a length of 5.1-7.9 inches. The carapace is typically dark brown, gray, or black, often with yellow markings on the margins. The plastron is hinged, and can be brown, grey, black, or yellow. The upper jaw has a blunt unnotched, nonbucuspid tomium. The head of an adult is generally uniform in color, never vermiculated. Like all side-necked turtles, the neck retracts sideways.

Subspecies

• P. s. subniger　Bonnaterre, 1789 - 　type species
• P. s. parietalis　Bour, 1983 -　Seychelles black mud turtle

In captivity

Prior to 2007, P. subniger was thought to be common in captivity. Most captive individuals, including those residing in zoos and hobbyist collections, have since been identified as Pelusios castaneus. The number of P. subniger individuals in captivity remains low.

References

Sources

• Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group 1996. Pelusios subniger. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 July 2007.

External links

• ARKive - images and movies of the East African black mud turtle (Pelusios subniger)