Radiata2008(3)e

Stephan Böhm Fig. 12.

Stephan Böhm Fig. 12. Portrait. They catch live fish quickly and with great skill and also go for crickets that swim on the water’s surface. Even large deaths head cockroaches (Blaberus cranifer) are aimed at, secured in a flash, dragged under water, and then eaten. Snails are accepted as food, too, but only if the shell is not to hard and can be cracked easily. Discussion Generally speaking, Phrynops tuberosus is a very interesting species of turtle that still presents the serious keeper with some challenges. From a taxonomic perspective, its differentiation from Phrynops geoffroanus and the possible existence of local varieties, if not subspecies, is certainly the most interesting aspect. Further fieldwork will be required to solve related questions. As far as husbandry and breeding are concerned, there are still numerous secrets to be unravelled, in particular in view of oviposition and incubation. These should best be addressed through an intensified exchange of information amongst keepers of this species. Finally, the question of the degree of endangerment of this species has yet to be clarified. In general, Phrynops tuberosus appears to be a fairly common species with a large distribution range, but virtually nothing is known about the extent of loss of habitat within this range nor is there much information available about its commercial exploitation. Turtles of the genus Phrynops are of little importance to the pet trade, which can at least partly be attributed to the Brazilian export ban. Imports are occasionally received from the Guiana States, however. Even if this turtle species may not be on the brink of extinction as yet, it is in principal a pity that we know so little about it. Without the attention of serious turtle keepers it might therefore just be a question of time until it has completely disappeared from European terrarium collections. The few existing keepers should therefore strive to improve communication in order to optimise breeding results and maintain the available gene pool. References Artner, H. (1997): Nomenklatur aktuell. – Emys, Sitzenberg-Reidling, 4 (3): 29-31. Bour, R. & H. Zaher (2005): A new species of Mesoclemmys from the open formations of northeastern Brazil (Chelonii, Chelidae). – Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia, Mus. Zool. Uni. de São Paulo, São Paulo, 45 (24): 295-311. Böhm, S. & G. Schaffer (2006): Ergebnisse des ISV-Inkubationsworkshops in Unanov. – Sacalia, Stiefern, 4 (12): 14-30. 52 RADIATA 17 (3), 2008

Near-natural Husbandry of the Tuberose Side-necked Turtle, Phrynops tuberosus Budde, H. (1980): Verbesserter Brutbehälter zur Zeitigung von Schildkrötengelegen. – Salamandra, Frankfurt/Main, 16 (3): 177-180. Cisneros-Heredia, D. F. (2006): Turtles of the Tiputini Biodiversity Station with remarks on the diversity amd sitribution of the Testudines from Ecuador. – Biota Neotropica, São Paulo, 6 (1), 16 pp. Fritz U. & G. Mann (1993): Werbeverhalten von Phrynops hilarii. – Salamandra, Rheinbach, 29 (3/4): 161-166. Grychta, U. & R. Grychta (1995): Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) – Haltung und Zucht der Dunklen Krötenkopfschildkröte. – Sauria, Berlin, 17 (1): 11-14. Iverson, J. B. (1992): A revised checklist with distribution maps of the turtles of the world. – Richmond (privately printed), 363 pp. Magnusson, W. E., A. C. Lima, V. L. Costa & R. C. Vogt (1997): Home range of the turtle Phrynops rufipes in an isolated reserve in Central Amazônia, Brazil. – Chel. Cons. Biol., Lunenburg, 2 (4): 494-499. Batrachemys. – Rev. Biol. Trop., San José, 49 (2): 715-764. Medem, M. F. (1960): Observaciones sobre la distribucion geografica y ecologia de la tortuga Phrynops geoffroana ssp. en Colombia. Informe sobre Reptiles Colombianos (V). Noved. Colomb., Cauca, 1: 291-300. Pieau, C. & M. Dorizzi (2005): Temperaturabhängige Geschlechtsfixierung bei Sumpf-, Wasser- und Landschildkröten Teil 1. – Marginata, Münster, 1 (4): 35-42. Pritchard, P.C.H. & P. Trebbau (1984): The Turtles of Venezuela. – Oxford (Soc. Study Amphib. Rept.), 404 pp. Souza F. L. (2004): Uma revisão sobre padrões de atividade, reprodução e alimentação de cágados brasileiros (Testudines, Chelidae). – Phyllomedusa, Piracicaba, 3 (1): 15-28. — (2005): Geographical distribution patterns of South American side-necked turtles (Chelidae), with emphasis on Brazilian species. – Rev. Esp. Her., Valencia, 19: 33-47. McCord, W. P., M. Joseph-Ouni & W. W. Lamar (2001): A taxonomic reevaluation of Phrynops (Testudines: Chelidae) with the description of two new genera and a new species of Fig. 13. Female in the company of a male for the purpose of mating in the male’s tank. RADIATA 17 (3), 2008 53