Scientific name Palea steindachneri Higher classification Palea Order Turtle | Subphylum Vertebrata Genus PaleaMeylan, 1987 Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Turtle, Trionychidae, Florida softshell turtle, Golden coin turtle, Vietnamese pond turtle | ||
The wattle-necked softshell turtle (Palea steindachneri ), also commonly known as Steindachner's soft-shelled turtle, is an endangered species of softshell turtle and the only member of the genus Palea.
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Etymology
The specific name, steindachneri, is in honor of Austrian herpetologist Franz Steindachner.
Distribution
P. steindachneri is native to southeastern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Yunnan), Laos, and Vietnam, but has also been introduced to Hawaii and Mauritius.
Threats
P. steindachneri is endangered by poaching for human consumption. Although pressure on the wild population continues, several thousand are hatched and raised each year in turtle farms in China and Vietnam for food and traditional medicine.
References
Wattle-necked softshell turtle Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA