Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Malayan softshell turtle

Dogania subplana, Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809

(In Thai: ตะพาบแก้มแดง, tapaab gaem daeng)

The Malayan softshell turtle (Dogania subplana) is a species of softshell turtle in the Trionychidae family. It is monotypic in its genus.

Geographic range

It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Java, Kalimantan, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore, and Sumatra.

Description

Adults may attain a carapace length of 35 cm (13.7 in). The head is large and muscular. The carapace is flat, and has straight sides. Juveniles are reddish on the sides of the neck, and have a few round black spots (ocelli) on the carapace. These markings become obscure as the turtles age.

This turtle is a medium to dark brown-green. The nose is long and tapered as with members of the family, Trionychidae. It has eight pairs of pleuralia.

Habitat

D. subplana prefers to live in the clean running water which is found in rocky streams at higher elevations.

Diet

It feeds on snails and other molluscs, crushing their shells with its powerful jaws.

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Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Subphylum
Vertebrata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Testudines
Family
Trionychidae
Genus
Dogania
Species
Dogania subplana

Common names

  • German: Malayische Weichschildkröte
  • English: Malayan soft-shelled turtle
  • Thai: ตะพาบแก้มแดง, tapaab gaem daeng

Synonyms

  • Dogania subplana, Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (TTWG) (2014)
  • Trionix subplanus, Richard (1999)
  • Dogania subplana, Merel J. Cox et al. (1998)
  • Dogania subplana, Ulrich Manthey & Wolfgang Grossmann (1997)
  • Trionyx subprana, Wirot Nutaphand (1990)
  • Trionyx subplanus, David Alderton (1988)
  • Dogania subplanus, E.S. Gaffney & P. A. Meylan (1988)
  • Dogania subprana, Wirot Nutaphand (1979)
  • Dogania subplana, John Roscoe Hendrickson (1966)
  • Dogania guntheri, Malcolm Arthur Smith (1931)

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN2.3)

Least Concern (IUCN2.3)

Photos

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Dogania subplana - Kaeng Krachan National Park
Dogania subplana - Kaeng Krachan National Park
Dogania subplana - Kaeng Krachan National Park
Dogania subplana (in water) - Kaeng Krachan National Park

Range Map

Distribution map of Malayan softshell turtle, Dogania subplana in Thailand
  • Betong District, Yala
  • Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Khao Lak - Lam Ru National Park
  • Khao Nan National Park
  • Khao Phanom Bencha National Park
  • Khao Sok National Park
  • Kui Buri National Park
  • Sai Yok National Park
  • Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi
  • Tarutao National Marine Park
  • Tha Mai District, Chanthaburi
  • Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Ton Nga-Chang Wildlife Sanctuary
Range map of Dogania subplana in Thailand