Assam leaf turtle explained

The Assam leaf turtle (Cyclemys gemeli) is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is native to India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

Etymology

The specific name, gemeli, is in honor of Austrian herpetologist Richard Gemel (born 1948).^[1]

Description

The carapace of C. gemeli lacks patterns in adults. It is elongated and relatively flat, with nearly parallel sides. The plastron is unpatterned and dark brown. The head is brown, and the throat and neck are uniformly dark. The bridge is also dark brown.^{[2] [3]}

Geographic range

The Assam leaf turtle can be found in northeastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Its geographic range may extend into Myanmar.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of C. gemeli are freshwater wetlands and forest.

Reproduction

C. gemeli reaches sexual maturity at around five years of age. Like all turtles, it is oviparous.

See also

• Cyclemys

Notes and References

1. [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]
2. Fritz . U. . species:Uwe Fritz . Guicking . D. . species:Daniela Guicking . Auer . M. . species:Markus Auer . Sommer . R.S. . species:Robert S. Sommer . Wink . M. . species:Michael Wink . Hundsdörfer . A.K. . species:Anna K. Hundsdörfer . Diversity of the Southeast Asian leaf turtle genus Cyclemys: how many leaves on its tree of life? . Zoologica Scripta . 2008 . 37 . 4 . 367–390 . 10.1111/j.1463-6409.2008.00332.x . 85899075 . (Cyclemys gemeli, new species).
3. Praschag. Peter. Hundsdörfer. Anna K.. Fritz. Uwe . 2009. Further specimens and phylogenetic position of the recently described leaf turtle species Cyclemys gemeli (Testudines: Geoemydidae). Zootaxa. 29. 37 . 29–37 . March 29, 2011 .