Peltocephalus dumerilianus | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Testudines |
Suborder: | Pleurodira |
Family: | Podocnemididae |
Genus: |
Peltocephalus A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1835 [4] |
Species: | P. dumerilianus
|
Binomial name | |
Peltocephalus dumerilianus (
Schweigger, 1812)
[3]
| |
Synonyms [1] [5] | |
|
The Big-headed Amazon River turtle (Peltocephalus dumerilianus), [5] also known as the big-headed sideneck, is a species of turtle in the family Podocnemididae. An additional, much larger species is known, the extinct Peltocephalus maturin, is also part of the genus, Peltocephalus. [4] [6]
The specific name, dumerilianus, is in honor of French herpetologist André Marie Constant Duméril. [7]
P. dumerilianus are mid-sized turtles, with the largest specimen recorded possessing a 50 cm (1.6 ft) long carapace and weighing 15 kg (33 lb). Sexual dimorphism is present like in most turtles, with males being larger with wider heads.
P. dumerilianus is found in Brazil ( Amazonas, Pará), Colombia, French Guiana, Venezuela, Ecuador, and possibly in Peru. [5]
The preferred natural habitats of P. dumerilianus are rivers and freshwater swamps, preferring igapó and other blackwater river systems. [5] [8]
Like all extant podocnemidids, P. dumerilianus is a plant-based omnivore, though includes the largest proportion of animal matter in its diet among its family. [9] It is an opportunistic predator, usually crawling around the bottom of water bodies searching for mollusks, fish, insects, and even scavenged carrion from other reptiles and mammals. [10]
Like all other turtles, P. dumerilianus is oviparous. [5] Unlike other members of its group which lay their eggs on sandy beaches, the Big-headed Amazon River turtle prefers concealed nests.
Peltocephalus dumerilianus | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Testudines |
Suborder: | Pleurodira |
Family: | Podocnemididae |
Genus: |
Peltocephalus A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1835 [4] |
Species: | P. dumerilianus
|
Binomial name | |
Peltocephalus dumerilianus (
Schweigger, 1812)
[3]
| |
Synonyms [1] [5] | |
|
The Big-headed Amazon River turtle (Peltocephalus dumerilianus), [5] also known as the big-headed sideneck, is a species of turtle in the family Podocnemididae. An additional, much larger species is known, the extinct Peltocephalus maturin, is also part of the genus, Peltocephalus. [4] [6]
The specific name, dumerilianus, is in honor of French herpetologist André Marie Constant Duméril. [7]
P. dumerilianus are mid-sized turtles, with the largest specimen recorded possessing a 50 cm (1.6 ft) long carapace and weighing 15 kg (33 lb). Sexual dimorphism is present like in most turtles, with males being larger with wider heads.
P. dumerilianus is found in Brazil ( Amazonas, Pará), Colombia, French Guiana, Venezuela, Ecuador, and possibly in Peru. [5]
The preferred natural habitats of P. dumerilianus are rivers and freshwater swamps, preferring igapó and other blackwater river systems. [5] [8]
Like all extant podocnemidids, P. dumerilianus is a plant-based omnivore, though includes the largest proportion of animal matter in its diet among its family. [9] It is an opportunistic predator, usually crawling around the bottom of water bodies searching for mollusks, fish, insects, and even scavenged carrion from other reptiles and mammals. [10]
Like all other turtles, P. dumerilianus is oviparous. [5] Unlike other members of its group which lay their eggs on sandy beaches, the Big-headed Amazon River turtle prefers concealed nests.