Biological study of the Caspian pond turtle (Mauremys caspica caspica)

Abstract

Five species of sea turtles, 3 species of freshwater turtles and 2 species of terrestrial turtles exists in Iran. This research is result of study on the Mauremys caspica caspica is known as the Caspian pond turtle. 118 specimens from Golestan province (72 specimens) and Mazandaran (46 specimens) were studied. The results indicate that this species has dark olive integument with yellow parallel stripes in the limbs, neck and tail. Carapace is relatively flat and has two supracaudal scutes and the bridges between the carapace and plastron are bony. The plastron has 6 pairs of scutes, one pair of axillary scutes and one pair of inguinal scutes and end of anal scutes is pointed. The males and females are distinguishable with anus position on the bottom surface of the tail and the presence or absence of plastron surface concavity. Fore and hind limbs have swimming membranes and have 5 and 4 claws, respectively. Maximum straight carapace length frequency (SCL1) (33.87%) was between 96.93-119.80mm in males and (25%) was between 174.53-199.41mm in females. Turtle leech, Placobdella costata belonging to the Rhynchobdellida order and Glossiphoniidae family was identified on some specimens. Sexual ratio (male/female) was 1:1 in this research.