Radiata2008(3)e

Oliver Römpp Fig. 6.

Oliver Römpp Fig. 6. Acanthochelys radiolata, plastral aspect. larvae). It does not take long for the hatchlings to readily accept finely chopped beef heart and turtle jelly as well. All juveniles of Acanthochelys exhibit conspicuous red, orange or bright yellow plastra. These colours fade during the first year of life and gradually turn into the adult colouration. References Artner, B. (1998): Eine neue Variante des Gelatinepuddings für Wasserschildkröten. – Emys, Sitzenberg-Reidling, 5 (3): 20-22. Buskirk, J. (1988): New locality records in Argentinia and Paraguay for the chelid turtle Platemys pallidipectoris (Freiberg) and Platemys macrocephala (Rhodin et. al) – Herpetol. Rev., Salt Lake City, 19 (4): 74-75. Lehmann, H. (1987): Hypothetische Überlegungen zur Schlupfproblematik von künstlich inkubierten Gelegen Südamerikanischer Schildkrötenarten der Familie Chelidae – Salamandra, Bonn, 23 (2/3): 73-77. Römpp, O. (2004): Haltung und Nachzucht der Riesen-Schlangenhalsschildkröte Macrochelodina expansa (Gray, 1856), einer Art mit obligatorischer zweiter Diapause während der Eientwicklung. – Emys, Sitzenberg-Reidling, 11 (2): 4-21. Internet resources Ernst, C.H., R.G.M. Altenburg & R.W. Barbour (2008): Turtles of the world. – http://nlbif. eti.uva.nl/bis/turtles.php?menuentry=inleiding (last accessed: 19.02.2008) Artner, H. (2007): Observations in the natural habitat in Paraguay and their implications for the first successful breeding of the Pantanal Swamp turtle Acanthochelys macrocephala (Rhodin, Mittermeier & McMorris, 1984). – Emys, Sitzenberg-Reidling, 14 (3): 4-25. Author & Photographs Oliver Römpp Lederackerring 42 73434 Aalen Germany E-Mail: reptimax@t-online.de 44 RADIATA 17 (3), 2008

Near-natural Husbandry of the Tuberose Side-necked Turtle, Phrynops tuberosus Stephan Böhm Considerations regarding a near-natural Husbandry of the Tuberose Side-necked Turtle, Phrynops tuberosus (Peters, 1870) Introduction Systematics and distribution The South American side-necked turtles Phrynops tuberosus has for a long time been of the genus Phrynops have so far attracted regarded as a subspecies of Phrynops geoffroanus (Wermuth& Mertens 1961, Iverson 1992). little attention from turtle enthusiasts. In fact, I would not know of a single publication on The comprehensive revision by McCord et al. Phrynops tuberosus in German language, even (2001) then elevated the taxon tuberosus to though the possibility exists that the one or species rank. Bour & Zaher (2005) maintained other older report on Geoffroy’s side-necked a subspecific status, but pointed out that the turtle, Phrynops geoffroanus, refers to the morphologically very similar Phrynops tuberosus. sufficiently resolved. systematics of the genus Phrynops were not On Phrynops geoffroanus, a small number I opt to follow McCord et al. and address of works exist, including, for example, those this turtle as Phrynops tuberosus, i.e., as a good by Wicker (1984) and Grychta & Grychta species. It is unfortunately often difficult to distinguish Phrynops tuberosus from Phrynops ge- (1995). The aim of the present paper is to report on my experiences with specimens in offroanus, though. According to the identification key provided by Artner (1997), Phrynops my care since 2005 and to translate the results of field studies into near-natural husbandry tuberosus is said to have three longitudinal conditions for this species that correspond with keels with button-like protrusions on its carapace. This feature is not clearly expressed in its ecological requirements. both my adults and hatchlings, however. Pauler (pers. comm.) also regards this trait as being unsuited for identification beyond doubt. Put in simple words, Phrynops tuberosus is identifiable only by having a comparatively finer and more reddish plastral pattern and more distinct markings on the head. Phrynops geoffroanus, on the other hand, often Fig. 1. Female; note the long barbels on the chin. RADIATA 17 (3), 2008 45