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Reptiles of Thailand

Species of Thailand

Big-headed turtle

Thai: เต่าปูลู, dtao pulu

Binomial name: Platysternon megacephalum, John Edward Gray, 1831

The big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) is a species of turtle in the family Platysternidae from the Southeast Asia and Southern China.

Background

Previously considered a distinct family placed on occasion in "Kinosternoidea", it was later moved to the Emydidae. With the Geoemydidae being split off from these, it seems wisest to reinstate, at least for the time being, the Platysternidae. This, as well as the subfamily and the genus Platysternon, are monotypic.

Distribution

It is found in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Behaviour

The big-headed turtle is known to readily climb over obstacles in and around rivers and fast streams, using its tail as a prop to extend the reach of its strong claws; it also uses its beak to assist in climbing. It has been reported to climb trees and bushes. It is not a strong swimmer, and when swimming, this species occasionally arches its tail in the manner of a scorpion. The big-headed turtle cannot pull its head in its shell. That being the case, it will not hesitate to use its powerful jaws to defend itself. It is a fish and snail eater.

Exploitation

The big-headed turtle is readily consumed in Asia and is frequently a market item. Hunters capture them on lines with baited straight pins, so this species is rapidly disappearing in the wild.

Subspecies

  • P. m. megacephalum, China, 1831
  • P. m. peguense, Myanmar and Thailand, 1870
  • P. m. shiui, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, 1987

In addition, two other subspecies P. m. tristernalis (1984) and P. m. vogeli (1969) have been given, but may be invalid.

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Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Testudines
Family
Platysternidae
Genus
Platysternon
Species
Platysternon megacephalum

Common names

  • German: Grosskopfschildkröte
  • English:
    • Big-headed turtle
    • Burmese big-headed turtle
    • Vietnamese big-headed turtle
  • Thai: เต่าปูลู, dtao pulu

Subspecies

  • Platysternon megacephalum megacephalum, John Edward Gray, 1831

    Range: China

  • Platysternon megacephalum peguense, John Edward Gray, 1870

    Range: Myanmar and Thailand

  • Platysternon megacephalum shiui, Carl Henry Ernst & William Patrick McCord, 1987

    Range: Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam

Synonyms

  • Platysternon megacephalum, Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (TTWG) (2014)
  • Platysternon megacephalum megacephalum, Anders Gunnar Johannes Rhodin et al. (2010)
  • Platysternon megacephalum peguense, Anders Gunnar Johannes Rhodin et al. (2010)
  • Platysternon megacephalum shiui, Anders Gunnar Johannes Rhodin et al. (2010)
  • Platysternon megacephalum, Thomas Ziegler (2002)
  • Platysternon megacephalum peguense, Tanya Chan-Ard et al. (1999)
  • Platysternon megacephalum peguensis, R. C. Sharma (1998)
  • Platysternon megacephalum, Merel J. Cox et al. (1998)
  • Platysternon megacephalum tristornalis, David Alderton (1988)
  • Platysternon megacephalum shiui, Peter Charles Howard Pritchard & William Patrick McCord (1987)
  • Platysternon megacephalum tristernalis, Hans-Hermann Schleich & Ulrich Gruber (1984)
  • Platysternon magacephalum megacephalum, Peter Charles Howard Pritchard (1979)
  • Platysternon megacephalum penguense, Wirot Nutaphand (1979)
  • Platysternon megacephalum penuense, Wirot Nutaphand (1979)
  • Platysternon megacephalum vogeli, Heinz Wermuth (1969)
  • Platysternon megacephalum megacephalum, Heinz Wermuth (1960)
  • Platysternon megacephalum peguense, Heinz Wermuth (1960)
  • Platysternon macrocephalus, Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz (1960)
  • Platysternon platycephalum, Robert Mertens (1959)
  • Platysternum megalocephalum, Stanek (ex errore) (1959)
  • Platysternum megacephalum, George Albert Boulenger (1889)
  • Platysternon peguense, John Edward Gray (1870)
  • Platysternon megacephalum peguense, John Edward Gray (1870)
  • Platysternon magacephalum, Leopold Fitzinger (1843)
  • Emys megacephala, Hermann Schlegel (1838)
  • Platysternon megacephalus, John Edward Gray (1835)
  • Platysternon megacephalum, André Marie Constant Duméril & Gabriel Bibron (1835)
  • Platisternon megacephalus, John Edward Gray (1834)
  • Platysternon megacephalum, John Edward Gray (1831)

Conservation status

Endangered (IUCN2.3)

Endangered (IUCN2.3)

Big-headed turtle

Big-headed turtle

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Platysternon megalocephalum

Platysternon megalocephalum

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Distribution map of Big-headed turtle, Platysternon megacephalum in Thailand

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Thai National Parks

Range map of Platysternon megacephalum in Thailand

Important note; our range maps are based on limited data we have collected. The data is not necessarily accurate or complete.

Special thanks to Ton Smits, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Ian Dugdale and many others for their contribution for range data.

It is free to use this map on various media. See the creative common license terms by clicking "CC" icon below the map. But remember, again; the map may not be accurate or complete.

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