Wednesday, November 21, 2012

[Testudology • 2005] On the hybridisation between two distantly related Asian turtles (Testudines: Sacalia × Mauremys)

Fig. 1. Sacalia quadriocellata × Mauremys reevesii hybrids. A) Living specimen in the care of JFP showing head coloration including detail of “eye spots” and malar region; B) same specimen in ventral view; C) The specimen sequenced in this study (MVZ 241502) in ventral view.

Abstract
This is the first report of a hybridisation between Sacalia and Mauremys (Bataguridae). New data and a review of the literature show that 19 batagurid hybridisations are documented. Many more undoubtedly exist, but have not been documented and reported. Most hybrids are members of the Cuora + Mauremys clade and 17 of 19 reported hybrids have at least one member from this clade. The Sacalia × Mauremys hybridisation reported here is only the third hybridisation between a species of the Cuora + Mauremys clade and a species outside of that clade.

Key words. Bataguridae: Mauremys, Sacalia; hybrids.


Buskirk, James R.; Parham, James F. & Feldman, Chris R. 2005. On the hybridisation between two distantly related Asian turtles (Testudines: Sacalia × Mauremys). Salamandra. 41: 21-26.