Asian For est
Tortoise (Manouria emys) is a species of tortoise found in India
(Assam), Bangladesh, Burma (or Myanmar), Thailand, Malaysia and
Indonesia (Sumatra, Borneo).
The largest tortoise in mainland Asia; large adult of the northern
subspecies, M.e. phayrei, can reach 25 kg in the wild and much more than
that in captivity. Shell considerably depressed, its depth not half its
length; anterior and posterior margins reverted, more or less strongly
serrated; nuchal present; supracaudal shields two; dorsal shields
concentrically striated, often concave; vertebrals much broader than
long and at least as broad as costals. Plastron large, gular region
somewhat produced and usually notched, hind lobe deeply notched; the
pectoral shields may be widely separated from each other, or from a
short median suture; axillary shield very small, inguinal large. Head
moderate; two large prefrontal shields and a large frontal; beak not
hooked; jaws feebly denticulated, the alveolar surface of the upper jaw
with a strong median ridge. Fore limb anteriorly with very large, bony,
pointed, imbricate tubercles, forming four or five longitudinal series;
hind limb with very large bony tubercles on the plantar surface, with
others larger, conical, and spur-like on the heel, and a group of still
larger conical tubercles on each side on the back of the thighs. Adult
dark brown or blackish; carapace of young yellowish brown, with
dark-brown markings.
Believed to be among the most primitive of living tortoises, based on
molecular and morphological studies. This is the only tortoise which
lays its eggs above ground in a nest, which the female constructs of
leaf litter. The female uses both front and rear legs to gather material
for the nest and lays up to 50 eggs deep inside it. She then sits on and
near the nest to protect it, and will 'chase' predators and intruders
away. [1]
Subspecies
* Manouria emys emys: S Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo; Type
locality: Sumatra. M. e. emys has separated pectoral scutes while M. e.
phayrei has joined pectoral scutes.
* Manouria emys phayrei: N/W Thailand to NE India; Type locality: Arakan;
Tenasserim Provinces'. M. e. phayrei has been named after Sir Arthur
Purves Phayre (1812-1885), British Army officer in India who became
Commissioner of British Burma. |
