Species / Testudines taxon
Indian Black Turtle
Melanochelys trijuga
A medium to large freshwater turtle, known as the Indian black turtle. It includes six recognized subspecies with varying distributions across South Asia.
Lineage: Turtles and Tortoises (TESTUDINES) > Cryptodira (CRYPTODIRA) > Durocryptodira (DUROCRYPTODIRA) > Testudinoid Turtles Superfamily (TESTUDINOIDEA) > Geoemydid Turtles (GEOEMYDIDAE) > Geoemydine Turtles Subfamily (GEOEMYDINAE) > Asian Black Turtles (Melanochelys) > Indian Black Turtle (Melanochelys trijuga). This path helps place the taxon within its family, genus, or species-level context.
- Chinese Name
- 黑山龟
- English Name
- Indian Black Turtle
- Scientific Name
Plate notes
Melanochelys trijuga
Trivia
The specific name 'trijuga' comes from Latin 'tria' (three) and 'jugum' (yoke), also referencing the three carapacial keels that are most prominent in younger individuals.
Overview
A medium to large freshwater turtle, known as the Indian black turtle. It includes six recognized subspecies with varying distributions across South Asia.
Scientific Name
Melanochelys trijuga
Ecological Habits
Primarily aquatic, inhabiting ponds, marshes, slow-moving rivers, and rice paddies. It is diurnal and basks frequently. Omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, insects, and small vertebrates.
Major Threats & Conservation
Despite its Least Concern status, local populations face threats from habitat loss, water pollution, and overharvesting for consumption and traditional medicine. Conservation efforts include habitat preservation and regulation of trade.
Morphological Characteristics
Adults can reach a maximum straight carapace length (SCL) of 38.3 cm in males and 26.2 cm in females. The carapace is typically black or dark brown with three longitudinal keels (especially in juveniles). The plastron is yellowish with dark seams.
Natural Distribution & Conservation Status
Widely distributed in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand. Introduced in the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) and Maldives. IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC); CITES Appendix II. Estimated indigenous area of occupancy (AOO): 1,511,818 sq km; extent of occurrence (EOO): 5,163,214 sq km.
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Child taxa
Indian Black Turtle currently includes 6 direct child taxa. Open any entry to continue through its lineage and reference material.
Subspecies
Peninsular Indian Black Turtle
Melanochelys trijuga trijuga
Subspecies
Cochin Black Turtle
Melanochelys trijuga coronata
Subspecies
Burmese Black Turtle
Melanochelys trijuga edeniana
Subspecies
Bangladesh Black Turtle
Melanochelys trijuga indopeninsularis
Subspecies
Parker's Black Turtle
Melanochelys trijuga parkeri
Subspecies
Sri Lankan Black Turtle
Melanochelys trijuga thermalis