View source for Asian giant softshell turtle

{{Short description|Species of turtle}}
{{For|other species with similar names|Giant softshell turtle (disambiguation){{!}}Giant softshell turtle}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = 
| image = Pelochelys cantorii.jpg
| status = CR
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Choudhury, B.C. |author2=Das, I. |author2-link=:fr:Indraneil Das |author3=Horne, B.D. |author4=Li, P. |author5=McCormack, T. |author5-link=species:Timothy E.M. McCormack |author6=Praschag, P. |author6-link=species:Peter Praschag |author7=Rao, D.-Q. |author7-link=species:Ding-Qi Rao |author8=Wang, L. |author8-link=species:Li-jun Wang |date=2021 |title=''Pelochelys cantorii'' |volume=2021 |page=e.T135458600A1076984 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T135458600A1076984.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref><ref name="Rhodin2017">{{cite journal |url=http://images.turtleconservancy.org/documents/2017/crm-7-checklist-atlas-v8-2017.pdf |title=Turtles of the world, 2017 update: Annotated checklist and atlas of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution, and conservation status (8th Ed.)|journal=Chelonian Research Monographs |volume=7 |access-date=October 4, 2019|date=August 3, 2017 |last1=Rhodin | first1=Anders G.J. |author1-link=species:Anders G.J. Rhodin |last2=Iverson |first2=John B. |author2-link=species:John B. Iverson |last3=Roger |first3=Bour |author3-link=species:Roger Bour |last4=Fritz |first4=Uwe |author4-link=species:Uwe Fritz |last5=Georges |first5=Arthur |author5-link=species:Arthur Georges |last6=Shaffer |first6=H. Bradley |author6-link=species:H. Bradley Shaffer |last7=van Dijk |first7=Peter Paul |author7-link=species:Peter Paul van Dijk |isbn=978-1-5323-5026-9}}</ref>
| status2 = CITES_A2 
| status2_system = CITES 
| status2_ref = <ref name="CITES">{{Cite web|title=Appendices {{!}} CITES|url=https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php|access-date=2022-01-14|website=cites.org}}</ref>
| genus = Pelochelys
| species = cantorii
| authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1864<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /><ref name="Rhodin2017" />
| synonyms = *''Pelochelys cantorii'' <br>{{small|Gray, 1864}}
*''Pelochelys cumingii'' <br>{{small|Gray, 1864}}
*''Pelochelys cantoris'' <br>{{small|[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1889}}
*''Pelochelys poljakowii'' <br>{{small|[[Alexander Strauch (naturalist)|Strauch]], 1890}}
*''Pelochelys cummingii'' <br>{{small|[[Malcolm Arthur Smith|M.A. Smith]], 1931}} ''([[ex errore]])''
*''Pelochelys cantori'' <br>{{small|[[Peter Pritchard|Pritchard]], 1967}} ''(ex errore)''
| synonyms_ref = <ref name="Fritz07">{{cite journal|journal=Vertebrate Zoology |title=Checklist of Chelonians of the World |year=2007 |first=Uwe |last=Fritz |author2=Havaš, Peter |volume=57 |issue=2 |url=http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/851.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501060224/http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/851.pdf |archive-date=2011-05-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}

The '''Asian giant softshell turtle''' (''Pelochelys cantorii)'',<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /><ref name="Rhodin2017" /> also known [[Common name|commonly]] as '''Cantor's giant softshell turtle'''<ref name="Rhodin2017" /> and the '''frog-faced softshell turtle''', is a [[species]] of [[freshwater]] [[turtle]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Trionychidae]]. The species is native to [[Southeast Asia]]. The species is critically endangered and in the 20th century has disappeared from much of its former range.

==Taxonomy==
''P. cantorii'' is not found in [[New Guinea]], while the two other members of the genus ''[[Pelochelys]]'', ''[[New Guinea giant softshell turtle|P. bibroni]]'' and ''[[Pelochelys signifera|P. signifera]]'' are both restricted to New Guinea.<ref name="Rhodin2017" /> ''P. cantorii'' is relatively unstudied, and the current species may actually be composed of several [[taxon|taxa]].<ref name="World" /> One study from 1995<ref name=webb>{{cite journal|last=Webb|first=R.G.|author-link=Robert G. Webb |year=1995|title=Redescription and neotype designation of Pelochelys bibroni from southern New Guinea (Testudines: Trionychidae)|journal=Chelonian Conservation and Biology|volume=1|issue=4|pages=301–310}}</ref> showed that what was once thought to be ''P. cantorii'' in New Guinea was actually ''P. bibroni'', and the earlier studies<ref>{{cite journal|last=Gray|first=J.E.|author-link=John Edward Gray|year=1864|title=Revision of the species of Trionychidae found in Asia and Africa, with the descriptions of some new species|journal=Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London|volume=1864|pages=76–98}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Boulenger|first=G.A.|author-link=George Albert Boulenger|year=1891|title=XXXI.—On the occurrence of ''Pelochelys'' in China|journal=Journal of Natural History|volume=7|issue=39|pages=283–284|doi=10.1080/00222939109460609|url=https://zenodo.org/record/1430293}}</ref> of ''P. cantorii'' only described populations farther to the west.

==Description==
The Asian giant softshell turtle has a broad head, and small eyes close to the tip of its snout. The [[carapace]] is smooth and olive-colored. Juveniles may have dark-spotted carapaces and heads, with yellow around the carapace.<ref name="World">{{cite book|last1=Ernst|first1=C. H.|last2=Altenburg|first2=R. G. M.|last3=Barbour|first3=R. W.|year=1998|title=Turtles of the world [CD-ROM]}}</ref>

Despite reports that it can grow up to {{convert|1.8|m|ft}} in length and is the world's largest extant freshwater turtle, this maximum size and title is murky at best.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070517074755.htm|title=Rare Soft Shell Turtle, Nesting Ground Found in Cambodia|website=ScienceDaily|date=19 May 2007}}</ref><ref name="Mydans">{{cite news|title=How to Survive in Cambodia: For a Turtle, Beneath Sand|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/18/world/asia/18turtles.html|newspaper=New York Times|date=18 May 2007|author=Mydans, Seth}}</ref> Apparently the largest specimen carapace length, {{convert|129|cm|in|abbr=on}}, known is considered suspect and the heaviest specimen known (weighing approximately {{convert|250|kg|lb|abbr=on}} was actually a misidentified [[Yangtze giant softshell turtle]].<ref>{{cite book|last=De Rooij|first=N.|author-link=Nelly de Rooij|year=1915|title=The Reptiles of the Indo-Australian Archipelago|publisher=A. Asher}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Pritchard|first=P.C.|author-link=Peter Pritchard|year=2005|title=Survival status and prospects for Rafetus swinhoei (Chelonia: Trionychidae)|journal=2005 Turtle Survival Alliance Annual Conference Proceedings|pages=19–22}}</ref> A more realistic range of carapace length for this species is reportedly {{convert|70|to|100|cm|in|abbr=on}} and it is one of about a half-dozen giant softshell turtles from three genera that reach exceptionally large sizes, i.e. in excess of {{convert|100|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in mass.<ref>{{cite book|last=Das|first=I.|year=2010|chapter=''Pelochelys cantorii'' Gray 1864- Asian Giant Softshell Turtle|editor=Iverson, J. B. |editor2=Mittermeier, R. A.|title=Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group|series=Chelonian Research Monographs|volume=5}}</ref>

==Behavior and reproduction==
''P. cantorii'' is an [[ambush predator]] and primarily [[carnivore|carnivorous]], feeding on [[crustacean]]s, [[Mollusca|mollusks]] and fish (although some aquatic plants may also be eaten).<ref name="World" /> The turtle spends 95% of its life buried and motionless, with only its eyes and mouth protruding from the sand. It surfaces only twice a day to take a breath, and lays 20–28 eggs sized around {{convert|3.0|to|3.6|cm|in}} in diameter in February or March on riverbanks.<ref name="World" /><ref name="Mydans" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Das|first=I.|year=1985|title=Indian Turtles, a Field Guide|publisher=World Wildlife Fund--India (Eastern Region)|location=Calcutta}}</ref>

==Morphological variation==
[[File:Asian Giant Softshell Turtle at Philippine National Museum.jpg|thumb|Asian giant softshell turtle at the [[National Museum of the Philippines|Philippine National Museum]]]]

Morphological differences in neural bone count have been noted between specimens of ''P. cantorii'' found in the Philippines and specimens found in mainland Asia.<ref>{{cite journal | pmc=3591760 | pmid=23653519 | doi=10.3897/zookeys.266.3982 | title=The amphibians and reptiles of Luzon Island, Philippines, VIII: the herpetofauna of Cagayan and Isabela Provinces, northern Sierra Madre Mountain Range | year=2013 | journal=ZooKeys | pages=1–120 | last1 = Brown | first1 = Rafe M. | author1-link=:fr:Rafe Marion Brown | last2 = Siler | first2 = Cameron D. | last3 = Oliveros | first3 = Carl H. | author3-link=species:Carl H. Oliveros | last4 = Welton | first4 = Luke J. | author4-link=species:Luke J. Welton |last5 = Rock | first5 = Ashley | last6 = Swab | first6 = John | last7 = Van Weerd | first7 = Merlijn | author7-link=species:Merlijn Van Weerd | last8 = van Beijnen | first8 = Jonah | last9 = Jose | first9 = Edgar | last10 = Rodriguez | first10 = Dominic | last11 = Jose | first11 = Edmund | last12 = Diesmos | first12 = Arvin C. | author12-link=:fr:Arvin Cantor Diesmos | issue=266| doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Etymology==
The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''cantorii'', is in honor of Danish zoologist [[Theodore Edward Cantor]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Beolens|first1=Bo|author1-link=species:Bo Beolens|last2=Watkins|first2=Michael|last3=Grayson|first3=Michael|year=2011|title=The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles|location=Baltimore|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|isbn=978-1-4214-0135-5|page=47}}</ref>

==Geographic range and habitat==
The species ''P. cantorii'' is primarily found in inland, slow-moving, freshwater rivers and streams. Some evidence indicates that its range extends to coastal areas, as well.<ref name="World" /> It occurs in eastern and southern [[India]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Burma]], [[Thailand]], [[Malaysia]], [[Laos]], [[Cambodia]], [[Vietnam]], eastern and southern [[China]], the [[Philippines]] ([[Luzon]] and [[Mindanao]]), and [[Indonesia]] ([[Kalimantan]], [[Java]], and [[Sumatra]]).<ref name="Rhodin2017" />

==Conservation==
The Asian giant softshell turtle is classified as a [[critically endangered species|Critically Endangered]] by the [[IUCN]] and has been forced out through habitat destruction, disappearing from much of its range.<ref name="IUCN">{{Cite web|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/16502/97400946|title = IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pelochelys cantorii|date = 30 June 2000}}</ref> Prior to 2007, it was last seen in Cambodia in 2003. A 2007 survey of one area of the [[Mekong River]] in Cambodia found the turtle in abundance along a {{convert|48|km|mi}} stretch of the river.<ref name="Mydans" /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Munthit|first=K.|title=Rare Turtle's New Chance|newspaper=Associated Press|date=16 May 2007}}</ref>

In the Philippines, a juvenile Cantor's turtle known as “cagot" appeared and was captured by a fisherman along the Addalam River, [[Cabarroguis]], [[Quirino]], [[Isabela (province)|Isabela]]. In 2001, this turtle was sent to [[Chicago]] and its identity confirmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/105818/After-seven-years-rare-soft-shelled-turtle-resurfaces-in-Quirino-Province|title=After seven years, rare soft-shelled turtle resurfaces in Quirino Province|author=Taguinod, Floro C.|website=GMA News Online}}</ref> The reptile has been evaluated as an [[EDGE species]] by the [[Zoological Society of London]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/cantors-giant-softshell/|title=Cantor's Giant Softshell}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[[:fr:Indraneil Das|Das, Indraneil]] (2002). ''A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India''. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. {{ISBN|0-88359-056-5}}. (''Pelochelys cantorii'', p.&nbsp;139).
*{{cite journal|last1=Das|first1=Indraneil|last2=Lakim|first2=Maklarin|title=On the Distribution of ''Pelochelys cantorii'' on Borneo|journal=Chelonian Conservation and Biology|date=December 2006|volume=5|issue=2|pages=323–325|doi=10.2744/1071-8443(2006)5[323:OTDOPC]2.0.CO;2|url=http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/27006/1/297-%20Das%20%26%20Lakim%20%28Pelochelys%29.pdf}}
*{{cite journal | last1 = McCord | first1 = William P. | last2 = Joseph-Ouni | first2 = Mehdi | year = 2003 | title = Flapshell and Giant Asian Softshell Turtles | journal = Reptilia | volume = 26 | pages = 59–64 }}
*{{cite journal | last1 = Webb | first1 = Robert G |author-link=Robert G. Webb| year = 2002 | title = Observations on the Giant Softshell Turtle, ''Pelochelys cantorii'', with description of a new species | journal = Hamadryad | volume = 27 | issue = 1| pages = 99–107 }}

==External links==
{{Wikispecies|Pelochelys cantorii}}
{{Commons category-inline|Pelochelys cantorii|''Pelochelys cantorii''}}
*[http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species.php?genus=Pelochelys&species=cantorii "''Pelochelys cantorii'' ". The Reptile Database. No date.] Accessed May 18, 2007.
*[http://www.chelonia.org/pelochelys_gallery.htm "''Pelochelys'' Gallery". Turtle and Tortoise Information. World Chelonian Trust. No date.] Accessed May 18, 2007.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120418062039/http://www.rubiahdivers.com/soft_shell_turtle_founded.html Soft Shell turtle discovered in Sabang Pulau Weh Sumatra Indonesia].

{{Trionychidae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2006609}}

[[Category:Pelochelys]]
[[Category:Reptiles of China]]
[[Category:Reptiles of India]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Myanmar]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Vietnam]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Cambodia]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Laos]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Thailand]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Brunei]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Indonesia]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Reptiles of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Papua New Guinea]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1864]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray]]
[[Category:Turtles of New Guinea]]