1
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Golestan University, Gorgan
2
Faculty of Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Nour
Abstract
Five species of sea turtles, 3 species of freshwater turtles and 2 species of terrestrial turtles exists in Iran. This research is result of study on the Mauremys caspica caspica is known as the Caspian pond turtle. 118 specimens from Golestan province (72 specimens) and Mazandaran (46 specimens) were studied. The results indicate that this species has dark olive integument with yellow parallel stripes in the limbs, neck and tail. Carapace is relatively flat and has two supracaudal scutes and the bridges between the carapace and plastron are bony. The plastron has 6 pairs of scutes, one pair of axillary scutes and one pair of inguinal scutes and end of anal scutes is pointed. The males and females are distinguishable with anus position on the bottom surface of the tail and the presence or absence of plastron surface concavity. Fore and hind limbs have swimming membranes and 5 and 4 claws respectively. Maximum straight carapace length frequency (33.87%) was between 96.93-119.80 mm in males and (25%) was between 174.53-199.41 mm in females. Turtle leech, Placobdella costata belonging to the order Rhynchobdellida and family Glossiphoniidae was identified in some specimens. Sexual ratio (male/female) was 1:1 in this research.
Kami, H. G., Yadollahvand, R., & Kalbassi, M. R. (2012). Biological Study of the Caspian Pond Turtle (Mauremys caspica caspica). Journal of Animal Environment, 4(3), 1-10.
MLA
Haji Gholi Kami; Reza Yadollahvand; Mohammad Reza Kalbassi. "Biological Study of the Caspian Pond Turtle (Mauremys caspica caspica)". Journal of Animal Environment, 4, 3, 2012, 1-10.
HARVARD
Kami, H. G., Yadollahvand, R., Kalbassi, M. R. (2012). 'Biological Study of the Caspian Pond Turtle (Mauremys caspica caspica)', Journal of Animal Environment, 4(3), pp. 1-10.
VANCOUVER
Kami, H. G., Yadollahvand, R., Kalbassi, M. R. Biological Study of the Caspian Pond Turtle (Mauremys caspica caspica). Journal of Animal Environment, 2012; 4(3): 1-10.
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