Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Ernst, C. H., & Laemmerzahl, A. F. (2002). Geographic variation in the asian big-headed turtle, platysternon megacephalum (reptilia: testudines: platysternidae). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 115(1), 18–24.
Added by: Admin (21 Nov 2009 11:53:11 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Ernst2002a View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat = habitat, Platysternidae, Platysternon, Platysternon megacephalum, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Südostasien = South East Asia, Systematik = taxonomy Creators: Ernst, Laemmerzahl Collection: Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington |
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| Abstract |
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Currently, five subspecies of Platysternon megacephalum Gray, 1831 are recognized: megacephalum Gray, 1831, peguense Gray, 1870, vogeli Wermuth, 1969, tristernalis Schleich & Gruber, 1984, and shiui Ernst & McCord, 1987. Because two of the subspecies, vogeli and tristernalis, have geographic ranges within or overlapping others, a study was undertaken to examine their validity. A total of 136 specimens of P. megacephalum from throughout the species range was examined and analyzed using discriminant function analysis of morphometric data. Because discriminant function analysis is unable to separate vogeli with certainty and because its range overlaps that of the earlier described peguense, we place vogeli in the synonomy of peguense. Even though discrimininant function analysis reliably distinguishes tristernalis; its main characteristic (anomalous extra scales at the junction of the gular and humeral plastral scutes) occurs commonly in the other subspecies as well and does not define tristernalis unambiguously. Additionally, the distribution of tristernalis lies within that of the nominate taxon megacephalum. The type specimens have peculiar shell morphology, likely the result of years in captivity. We recommend tristernalis as a junior synonym of megacephalum.
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