Subfamily Geoemydinae Higher classification Morenia Order Turtle | Subphylum Vertebrata Genus Morenia Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Morenia, Turtle, Brahminy river turtle, Burmese eyed turtle, Cane turtle | ||
Morenia petersi indian eyed turtle
Geographic range
M. petersi is found in northeastern India (as far west as Bihar) and in Bangladesh.
Etymology
The specific name, petersi, is in honour of German herpetologist Wilhelm Peters (1815–1883).
Description
Morenia petersi is very closely allied to Morenia ocellata. The snout is much more pointed and relatively longer. The suture between the pectorals is not shorter than the suture between the abdominals. The carapace is black. Each vertebral has a narrow yellowish mesial line. The last four vertebrals have a yellowish linear horseshoe mark with both ends directed forward. All costals have an ocellus placed rather low and formed by a narrow yellowish line, above which are some irregular looped lines of similar colour. The nuchal and each marginal have a narrow, vertical yellowish mesial streak. The plastron is yellow. There are three yellow streaks on each side of the head, the lower one extending from below the nostril to the angle of the mouth. Males can achieve a carapace length of up to 5 inches (about 12 cm); females can achieve a shell length of up to 8 inches (about 20 cm).
Type locality: Huzurapur (Jessore District), Faridpur, and Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Reproduction
Mating occurs in the winter months, and nesting follows in April–May. A clutch is made up of two eggs 34.6–35 mm x 22 mm (1.4 in x 0.9 in).
