Pelusios subniger ssp. parietalis
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
REPTILIA |
TESTUDINES |
PELOMEDUSIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Pelusios subniger ssp. parietalis |
| Species Authority: |
(Lacépède, 1788) |
| Infra-specific Authority: |
Bour, 1983 |
Common Name/s:
| English |
– |
Seychelles Black Mud Turtle |
|
Assessment Information
[top]
| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Critically Endangered
A2c; B2ab(ii,iii)
ver 3.1
|
| Year Assessed: |
2003 |
| Assessor/s |
Gerlach, J. |
| Evaluator/s: |
Rhodin, A., Bour, R., Baard, E., Gibbons, W. & Iverson, J. (Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Red List Authority) |
Justification:
The very restricted range of P. s. parietalis, along with fragmentation and ongoing decline, qualifies the taxon as Critically Endangered. Area of occupancy is estimated at only 0.1 km² (CR B2). The range is severely fragmented (CR B2a) and the taxon's marsh habitat is declining in area, extent and quality as a result of pollution, drainage, and invasive plant species (CR B2b(ii,iii)). As a result of this habitat loss, area of occupancy has declined by at least 80%. Similar population declines are estimated based on this loss of area of occupancy over the last ten years (CR A2c).
|
Geographic Range
[top]
| Range Description: |
A Seychelles endemic subspecies of a widely distributed African species. Present on Mahé, Cerf, Praslin, La Digue, Fregate and Silhouette islands. Extent of occurrence estimated at 3,500 km², but area of occupancy is approximately 0.05 km².
|
| Countries: |
|
Population
[top]
| Population: |
Population estimated to be les than 250 adults distributed throughout seven isolated populations. The subspecies lost 80% of its range through drainage in 1999. It is inferred that a similar level of population reduction has occurred as a result of this (Rhodin, pers. comm., Gerlach, pers. comm).
|
| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
|
Habitat and Ecology
[top]
| Habitat and Ecology: |
Preferred habitat is lowland marshes. The taxon feeds on invertebrates, fish, amphibians, fruit and plant material. Eggs laid December-February, hatching after 48 days with genetic sex determination.
|
| Systems: |
Terrestrial; Freshwater |
| Major Threat(s): |
Main threats to the species are loss of habitat through drainage (drainage resulted in 80% of range area being lost in 1999). Further declines are probable. Predation is a possible cause of population decline on some islands.
|
Conservation Actions
[top]
| Conservation Actions: |
Protected under Seychelles law. Not present in reserves but in conservation-managed areas on Fregate and Silhouette
|
