Irwin's turtle explained

Irwin's turtle (Elseya irwini) is a rare species of freshwater turtle in the family Chelidae. The species is endemic to Australia, originating from the lower region of the Burdekin River area in northern Queensland, and was named after conservationist and television personality Steve Irwin.

Discovery and etymology

Steve Irwin and his father, naturalist Bob Irwin, caught a female specimen of E. irwini on a crocodile-catching trip on the Burdekin River in 1990, on a fishing line. Steve Irwin took pictures and sent them to turtle expert John Cann, who verified that it was indeed a new species.[1] The new species was named after Steve Irwin.[2] [3] [4]

Description

The female of the species E. irwini has a pale head with a yellowish horny sheath on the crown.[5] The pale colour present in the female of this species is due to a lack of multiple pigments which affect essentially all parts of the body.[6] These individuals are known for their sturdy skull, which is supported by a narrow muscle called the pterygoid, creating a shielding for the skull and providing normal jaw functions.[7]

Subspecies

Respiration

E. irwini, like some other turtles,[8] can breathe underwater by taking water into its cloaca. The cloaca is a cavity at the end of the digestive tract containing a chamber with gill-like structures which allow for the diffusion of oxygen.[9] Without this structure, this species of turtle would not be able to stay under water for long periods of time. Irwin's turtle needs to live in a source of water that is plentiful with oxygen. If the water has low oxygen levels or is filled with contaminants, the turtle has a lower chance of survival.

Threats

The habitat of the Irwin's turtle has been impacted by the construction of the Burdekin Dam, which has caused a decline in water quality of the Burdekin River, which makes it hard for this species to survive and reproduce. Plans for the construction of Urannah Dam have been opposed, as this would cause further impacts and habitat contraction.[10]

Habitat and conservation status

E. irwini has been plentiful in Broken River and Bowen Creek. It had not been observed in the Lower Burdekin River in the 20 years preceding May 2022, until its presence was officially confirmed by researchers from James Cook University led by Cecilia Villacorta Rath.[3]

The species has not been listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) owing to lack of data on the species.[3] [11]

In 2023, Steve Irwin's son, conservationist and television personality Robert Irwin announced the first breeding of the turtle for zoological purposes at the Australia Zoo.[12]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]
  2. Web site: Shanahan . Leo . Sams . Christine . Endangered: a living legacy of Steve Irwin . . 8 October 2006 . 8 May 2022. The first person to catch the irwini was Steve Irwin's father, Bob, on a fishing line during a family camping trip in 1990... Mr Cann said, "I saw the photos and jumped on the telephone because I knew it was a new species and asked Steve if I could do some work on it. He said, 'go for your life'. That's why I named it after him. I think if someone discovers something they should have a reward for it. It's a good legacy for Steve.".
  3. Web site: Toomey . Jade . Bum-breathing Irwin's turtle resurfaces in Queensland river after 20 years, JCU researchers say . ABC News. . 5 May 2022 . 7 May 2022.
  4. Web site: Australian Associated Press . Bum-breathing Irwin's turtle detected in north Queensland for first time in 25 years . . 5 May 2022 . 7 May 2022.
  5. Book: Cann . John . Australian Freshwater Turtles . 1998 . Beaumont . Singapore . 0-646-33978-8 . 195–198 . Irwins Turtle Elseya irwini.
  6. Turner. Grant S.. 2011. Hypomelanism in Irwin's Turtle, Elseya irwini, from the Johnstone River, North Queensland, Australia. Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 10. 2. 275–281. 10.2744/CCB-0851.1. 84403066. 1071-8443.
  7. Limpus . Colin J.. species:Colin Limpus. Georges. Arthur. species:Arthur Georges. Thomson. Scott. Scott A. Thomson. May 1, 2006. https://bioone.org/journals/Chelonian-Conservation-and-Biology/volume-5/issue-1/1071-8443(2006)5[74:ANSOFT2.0.CO;2/A-New-Species-of-Freshwater-Turtle-in-the-Genus-span/10.2744/1071-8443(2006)5[74:ANSOFT]2.0.CO;2.full A New Species of Freshwater Turtle in the Genus Elseya (Testudines: Chelidae) from Central Coastal Queensland, Australia]. Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 5. 1. 74–86. 10.2744/1071-8443(2006)5[74:ANSOFT]2.0.CO;2. 1071-8443.
  8. Web site: Rheodytes leukops – Fitzroy River Turtle, Fitzroy Tortoise, Fitzroy Turtle, White-eyed River Diver. Commonwealth of Australia, Department of the Environment. www.environment.gov.au.
  9. Web site: Cloaca – Definition, Function and Quiz. 2017-07-04. Biology Dictionary. en-US. 2019-03-28.
  10. Web site: Beeton. Robert . 2009 . Advice to the minister for the environment, heritage and the arts from the threatened species of scientific committee. Department of the Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Australia .
  11. Villacorta-Rath . Cecilia . Espinoza . Thomas . Cockayne . Bernie . Schaffer . Jason . Burrows . Damien . species:Damien W. Burrows . 2022-05-02 . Environmental DNA analysis confirms extant populations of the cryptic Irwin's turtle within its historical range . BMC Ecology and Evolution . 22 . 1 . 57 . 10.1186/s12862-022-02009-6 . 2730-7182 . 9059348 . 35501685 . free .
  12. Web site: Steve Irwin's son Robert Irwin becomes emotional after breeding rare turtle named after late TV star . October 15, 2023 . Nicole . Vassell . independent.co.uk . . October 18, 2023.

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