Sicilian pond turtle

The Sicilian pond turtle (Emys trinacris)[2] is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is endemic to Sicily.[2]

Sicilian pond turtle
Emys trinacris from Gorghi Tondi, Province of Trapani, Sicily.
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Superfamily:	Testudinoidea
Family:	Emydidae
Genus:	Emys
Species:	E. trinacris
Binomial name
Emys trinacris Fritz, Fattizzo, Guicking, Tripepi, Pennisi, Lenk, Joger & Wink, 2005[2]
The Sicilian pond turtle is only found in Sicily.

Etymology

The specific name, trinacris, is from the Greek word Trinacria, meaning "three-pointed", the earliest known name for the island of Sicily.[3]

Subspecies

There are no subspecies of E. trinacris that are recognized as being valid.[3]

Description

E. trinacris is a small turtle. Maximum straight carapace length is 14.5 cm (5.7 in). The carapace is dark, and the plastron is yellow. E. trinacris differs from E. orbicularis by its distinct mitochondrial DNA.[3]

Habitat

The preferred habitat of E. trinacris is freshwater in ponds, lakes, rivers, and swamps.[3]

References

1. van Dijk PP (2009). "Emys trinacris ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2009: e.T158469A97415702. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T158469A5199795.en. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
2. Rhodin 2010, pp. 000.105
3. Species Emys trinacris at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.

Bibliography

• Rhodin, Anders G.J.; van Dijk, Peter Paul; Iverson, John B.; Shaffer, H. Bradley (2010-12-14). "Turtles of the World 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution and Conservation Status" (PDF). Archived from the original (pdf) on 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2010-12-15.

Further reading

• Fritz, Uwe; Fattizzo, Tiziano; Guicking, Daniela; Tripepi, Sandro; Pennisi, Maria Grazia; Lenk, Peter; Joger, Ulrich; Wink, Michael (2005). "A new cryptic species of pond turtle from southern Italy, the hottest spot in the range of the genus Emys (Reptilia, Testudines, Emydidae)". Zoologica Scripta 34 (4): 351-371. (Emys trinacris, new species).