Gregor Schobert, Zwettl, Austria

Gregor Schobert, Zwettl, Austria
ESF Stud book Big Headed Turtle
(Platysternon megacephalum, GRAY 1831)
There is evidence that Asia’s turtles are being systematically
extirpated from nature to feed the insatiable demand of
export markets. This refers also to the species
‘Platysternon megacephalum’ (GRAY 1831).(?)
For its survival the ESF has issued a stud book.
© Gregor Schobert
Platysternon megacephalum is a monotypic turtle, meaning that it is unique enough to be
placed in its own family, the Platysternidae, and that it has no close relatives.
There are five subspecies of Platysternon megacephalum described:
P. m. megacephalum, P.m. peguense, P.m. vogeli, P.m. tristernalis and P.m. shui.
P.m. shui is the most recent subspecies of this genus. Maybe there are some subspecies invalid
as there is an enormous variety within one population,. Getting breeding groups just with
fotodocumetation will be difficult.,The stud book shall provide a basis to find out the
relationsship between the subspecies.
Subspecies
Range
P. m. megacephalum
P. m. peguense
P. m. vogeli
P. m. tristernalis
P. m. shiui
Southern China
Southern Burma and Thailand
Northwest Thailand
Yunnan Province, China
North Vietnam
Date described
1831
1870
1969
1984
1987
Distribution:
south east asia, from Burma to Thailand,
south of China, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar.
The habitat of Platysternon in these areas shows the same characteristics: Fast mountain
streams with rocks. The water temperature in this streams does’nt exceed 24°Celsius. This
must be considered when keeping them in a natural environment (in captivity).
The big headed turtle is used in the traditional chinese medicine (TCM), it is found on the pet
markets and it is also be eaten by the people of these poor countries.
There is much fear that this species will disappear from wildlife.
The European Stud Book Foundation issued a stud book for keeping, breeding, and
coordinating populations in captivity. Mating of the big headed turtle is a most serious
problem as the male turtle attacs the female biting through its neck.. In Europe Heinz
WEISSINGER was the first being successful in mating these turtles in captivity in 1987, but
the big headed turtle fell into oblivion then. Nearly no publications on this genus can be found
in the relevant literature since that time.
The studbook will also serve as an instrument to get more clutches of the big headed turtle.
Most of the turtles held in captivity are single. One of our requests is, to establish breeding
groups in Europe and to breed them regularly. Platysternon megacephalum turtles lay 2-4
eggs/clutch. Animals in captivity are easy to be held; wild caughts are known as problematic
as they get stressed in the course of the long transport and because they are parasites-ridden
frequently . Most of the keepers of turtles registered in the stud book got eggs during the
last years. Sometimes the eggs were laid into water or were not fertilized (?). This is a
typical sign that a female doesn´t accept the landzone.
With the information from all keepers registered in thestud book it should be possible to breed
the big headed turtle in the future. It is a serious problem that almost nothing is known about
mating, fertilizing, oviposition and the growth of eggs.
A co-operation with generally known international associations and specialists like ISV,
NSV, DGHT AG Schildkroeten AK Platysternidae, Allwetterzoo Münster, EAZA, TSA is
being planned.
I would like to request all keepers of the Big Headed Turtle to get registered in the studbook.
So if you keep this species, even single animals, or if you are interested to keep these turtles
you can be be registered in the stud book for free. Anonymous regristration will be possible.
Members of the stud book get further information about the species and the chance to get
animals. ESF is an international organization. Members from Austria, Germany, Hungary,
Czech Republic and Italy are registered in the stud book of Platysternon megacephalum . The
members get an annual report of the status, innovations and changes of the last year.
Author
Gregor Schobert
Stud book coordinator Big Headed Turtle
(Platysternon megacephalum)
[email protected]
+43/664/3811031
http:///www.studbooks.org
© Gregor Schobert