Assam Roofed Turtle

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Assam Roofed Turtle
Photo of Kachuga sylhetensis from Pakke Tiger Reserve
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Family:	Geoemydidae
Subfamily:	Batagurinae
Genus:	Kachuga
Species:	K. sylhetensis
Binomial name
Kachuga sylhetensis (Jerdon, 1870)

Assam Roofed Turtle, Kachuga sylhetensis, is a species of turtle found in Assam and parts of eastern Bangladesh.

Contents 1 Description 2 Notes 3 References 4 External links

Description

Carapace elevated, tectiform, the keel ending in an elevated pointed nodosity on the third vertebral shield, forming a strong ridge on the last two vertebrals; posterior margin very strongly serrated; 26 marginal shields, instead of 24 as m all other species o£ the genus; first vertebral shield much broader in front than behind in the half-grown specimens, equally broad in front and behind in the adult; second vertebral shortest, broader than long, with straight posterior border; third vertebral considerably longer than broad, pointed behind, and forming a very narrow suture with the fourth, which tapers anteriorly and equals in length the first and second together ; fifth vertebral not broader than fourth, pointed posteriorly. Plastron large, feebly angulate laterally, truncate anteriorly, angularly notched posteriorly; the longest median suture is that between the abdominals; suture between the gulars as long as or shorter than that between the humerals; suture between gulars and humerals forming aright angle; inguinal and axillary large. Carapace olive-brown, usually with a lighter streak along the keel; plastral shields dark brown with a broad yellow border.^[1] Length of shell 7 inches.

Type locality: Sylhet River, Khasi Hills, India.

Notes

1. ^ Boulenger, G. A. 1890. Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Batrachia. pp. 42-43