TY - JOUR
T1 - Biology of the Big-headed Amazon River Turtle, Peltocephalus dumerilianus (Schweigger, 1812) (Testudines, Pleurodira): The basal extant Podocnemididae species
AU - Gentil, Eduardo
AU - De Medeiros, Larissa Azevedo
AU - Vogt, Richard Carl
AU - Barnett, Adrian Ashton
PY - 2021/10/20
Y1 - 2021/10/20
N2 - We review the extent and nature of scientific knowledge of the Big-headed Amazon River Turtle, Peltocephalus dumerilianus, covering distribution, morphology, taxonomy, diet, behaviour, reproduction, and ecology. We discuss the phylogenetic position of the species and its evolutionary relationships with the other podocnemidids, comparing morphological, karyological and molecular information. Also, we describe the importance of this species and its relationship with traditional Amazonian communities, including capture techniques, uses, beliefs and taboos. Finally, we comment on the conservation status of the species and the urgent need for additional studies. Besides discussing and reinterpreting published data, we provide new information from recent genetic studies, field activities and captive observations.
AB - We review the extent and nature of scientific knowledge of the Big-headed Amazon River Turtle, Peltocephalus dumerilianus, covering distribution, morphology, taxonomy, diet, behaviour, reproduction, and ecology. We discuss the phylogenetic position of the species and its evolutionary relationships with the other podocnemidids, comparing morphological, karyological and molecular information. Also, we describe the importance of this species and its relationship with traditional Amazonian communities, including capture techniques, uses, beliefs and taboos. Finally, we comment on the conservation status of the species and the urgent need for additional studies. Besides discussing and reinterpreting published data, we provide new information from recent genetic studies, field activities and captive observations.
KW - Behaviour
KW - Cabeçudo
KW - Conservation
KW - Diet
KW - Distribution
KW - Ethno-knowledge
KW - Evolution
KW - Morphology
KW - Movements patterns
KW - Reproduction
U2 - 10.3897/HERPETOZOA.34.E67807
DO - 10.3897/HERPETOZOA.34.E67807
M3 - Journal Article
SN - 1013-4425
VL - 34
SP - 207
EP - 222
JO - Herpetozoa
JF - Herpetozoa
ER -