Acanthochelys pallidipectoris (Freiberg 1945) – Chaco Side-Necked Turtle

Abstract

The Chaco Side-necked Turtle, Acanthochelys pallidipectoris (Family Chelidae), is a small to medium-sized freshwater turtle (carapace length to ca. 180 mm), endemic to the Chaco ecoregion of Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Its distribution is restricted to the temporarily flooded marshes and lowlands of dry shrub forest with impenetrable soils. The only record outside of the dry Chaco, in Mendoza, Argentina, is likely of anthropogenic origin. The activity period is very short (4-6 months a year), and populations consist of few animals. The species is threatened by habitat loss combined with climatic change leading to increased aridity and diminished ephemeral water resources. The species is currently categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List based on a 1996 evaluation, but has recently been provisionally reassessed as Endangered. disTribuTion.-Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay. Endemic to the Chaco ecoregion of southern Bolivia, western Paraguay, and northern Argentina. synonymy.-Platemys pallidipectoris Freiberg 1945, Acanthochelys pallidipectoris. subsPecies.-None currently recognized. sTaTus.-IUCN 2011 Red List: Vulnerable (VU A1c, D1) (assessed 1996, needs updating); TFTSG Draft 2011: Endangered; CITES: Not Listed.

Morphological variation in the Brazilian Radiated Swamp Turtle Acanthochelys radiolata (Mikan, 1820) (Testudines: Chelidae)

“…Morphometric data revealed that A. radiolata is a small to medium-sized turtle and is the second largest species of the genus, surpassed in size only by A. macrocephala, which can reach a CL of up to 295 mm (Rhodin et al 2009). The other two species, A. spixii and A. pallidipectoris, have a maximum CL around 170 and 180 mm, respectively (Ernst & Barbour 1989;Vinke et al 2011).…”

“…(3) carapace and plastron scutes with radiating striations; (4) dorsal surface of the head covered with scales of irregular shape and size; (5) mesodorsal region of the head with no scales; (6) dorsal and lateral surfaces of the neck covered with small tubercles of irregular shape; (7) posterior region of the thigh with small series of tubercles (Ernst & Barbour 1989;Rhodin et al 1984b;Rhodin et al 2009;Vinke et al 2011;this study).…”

“…Several studies are available for the other three species of the genus Acanthochelys, focusing on behavior, locomotion, feeding, and other aspects on ecology (Rhodin et al 2009;Brasil et al 2011;Neto et al 2011;Vinke et al 2011). However, biological data on A. radiolata is still scarce (Souza 2004), with the exception of the studies of Molina (1998) and Mocelin et al (2008) that dealt with the reproduction of this turtle in captivity (Mocelin et al 2008 also mentioned one nest found in nature).…”

Turtles of the World: Annotated Checklist and Atlas of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status (8th Ed.)

“…Pelodiscus parviformis: Vietnam added to the range. Acanthochelys pallidipectoris: Mendoza, Argentina, corrected from native range to introduced, as per CBFTT account (Vinke et al 2011).…”