Elseya papua JOSEPH-OUNI & MCCORD, 2022
Can you confirm these amateur observations of Elseya papua?
Elseya papua
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| Higher Taxa | Chelidae, Chelodininae, Pleurodira, Testudines (turtles) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Merauke snapping turtle |
| Synonym | Elseya papua JOSEPH-OUNI & MCCORD 2022 |
| Distribution | Indonesia (Papua Province) Type locality: vicinity of Muting, northern Merauke region, Papua Province, Indonesia (New Guinea) |
| Reproduction | |
| Types | Holotype: YPM HERR.022306, an adult female, collected by Frank Yuwono, 1994. Plate 1a in Joseph-Ouni & McCord 2022. Paratype: YPM HERR.022307 (Plate 1b), an adult female specimen, same data as holotype. |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: A medium-sized member of the genus Elseya (Plates 2a-d), that is characterized by the following features in adult female specimens: A relatively deep carapace, overall almost completely round (the carapace width being nearly equal to carapace length measured at the respective midpoints); a peaked central vertebral keel with the posterior portion of each of the first four vertebral scutes being raised (offset) to each subsequent anterior vertebral scute; a V1 scute that is significantly wider than long; central portion of the carapace forming a significant elevation in relation the anterior and posterior ends of the carapace; complete absence or fading of the single dark to black circular spots on each vertebral and pleural scute; a uniformly yellowish walnut-brown carapace; a yellowish circumferential ring at the border of the marginal scutes with those of the corresponding pleural and 1st and 5th vertebral scutes; a dark brown to black upper mandible (rhamphotheca); a faded greenishbrown lateral band on each side of the face behind the eye; marginals nearly equal to each adjoining marginal so as to create a relatively smooth rim to the exterior circumference of the carapace; and strong flaring to the posterior marginals beginning at M8. Young adult males bear all the same features but are smaller on average, with a less deep shell, and often retain traces of the reddish tinge to the skin in the areas of the upper throat, lateral jaw and lateral sides of the head and head shield. In senescent males the vertebral keel is ultimately lost, the carapace becoming smooth and rounded (Plate 2). (Joseph-Ouni & McCord 2022). |
| Comment | This is a provisionally accepted species, pending approval by the TTWG which provides our master list of turtles. |
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