Nubian flapshell turtle

The Nubian flapshell turtle (Cyclanorbis elegans) is one of two species of softshell turtle in the genus Cyclanorbis of the Trionychidae family. It has historically been found in a wide range spanning Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan, and Togo. However, it has been very rarely recorded during the last 50 years (not a single individual has been observed during the last 15 years) and there is little hope that the species is extant in Ghana, Benin, Togo, Nigeria and Cameroon. Early 2019 a remnant population has been found in White Nile wetlands in South Sudan by Prof. Luca Luiselli and his team.[3]

Nubian flapshell turtle

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Family: Trionychidae
Genus: Cyclanorbis
Species:
C. elegans
Binomial name
Cyclanorbis elegans
Gray, 1868
Synonyms[2]
  • Baikiea elegans Gray, 1869
  • Cyclanorbis elegans Boulenger, 1889
  • Cyclanorbis oligotylus Siebenrock, 1902

Description

The Nubian flapshell turtle can reach a length of up to 70 cm (27.5 in)[4]

Conservation

The Nubian flapshell turtle's habitat is located in politically very unstable areas which results in habitat loss. In addition the turtles are hunted as bushmeat.

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References
  1. Baker, P.J.; Luiselli, L. & Diagne, T. (2016). "Cyclanorbis elegans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T6004A3086539. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T6004A3086539.en.
  2. Fritz Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 313. ISSN 1864-5755. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-17. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  3. "Nubische Klappen-Weichschildkröte". Turtle Island (in German). Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  4. "Nubische Klappen-Weichschildkröte". Turtle Island (in German). Retrieved 2019-07-09.


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