Pelodiscus sinensis
CHINESE SOFTSHELL TURTLE
A predominantly carnivorous and vulnerable species due to habitat loss and collection for food (turtle soup), living in fresh and brackish waters. Since they have a long snout and tubelike nostrils, they are able to "snorkel" in shallow waters.
Interestingly, Chinese softshell turtles can secrete urea from their mouths. This adaptation helps them survive in brackish waters since they can excrete urea without drinking too much salty water.
Read more: www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/121012-turtles...
"Pelodiscus is one of the most widely distributed genera of softshell turtles, ranging from south-eastern Siberia and Korea over central and southern China to Vietnam. Economically, Pelodiscus are the most important chelonians of the world and have been bred and traded in high numbers for centuries, resulting in many populations established outside their native range. Currently, more than 300 million turtles per year are sold in China alone, and the bulk of this figure comprises farmed Pelodiscus. Due to easy availability, Pelodiscus also constitutes a model organism for physiological and embryological investigations. Yet, diversity and taxonomy of Pelodiscus are poorly understood and a comprehensive investigation using molecular tools has never been published.”
From: www.researchgate.net/profile/Gerald-Kuchling-2/publicatio...
Pelodiscus sinensis
CHINESE SOFTSHELL TURTLE
A predominantly carnivorous and vulnerable species due to habitat loss and collection for food (turtle soup), living in fresh and brackish waters. Since they have a long snout and tubelike nostrils, they are able to "snorkel" in shallow waters.
Interestingly, Chinese softshell turtles can secrete urea from their mouths. This adaptation helps them survive in brackish waters since they can excrete urea without drinking too much salty water.
Read more: www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/121012-turtles...
"Pelodiscus is one of the most widely distributed genera of softshell turtles, ranging from south-eastern Siberia and Korea over central and southern China to Vietnam. Economically, Pelodiscus are the most important chelonians of the world and have been bred and traded in high numbers for centuries, resulting in many populations established outside their native range. Currently, more than 300 million turtles per year are sold in China alone, and the bulk of this figure comprises farmed Pelodiscus. Due to easy availability, Pelodiscus also constitutes a model organism for physiological and embryological investigations. Yet, diversity and taxonomy of Pelodiscus are poorly understood and a comprehensive investigation using molecular tools has never been published.”
From: www.researchgate.net/profile/Gerald-Kuchling-2/publicatio...