https://socictopen.socict.org/index.php/items/show/27470
title: Contribuciones al conocimiento sobre la Ecología y distribución geográfica de Phrynops (Batrachemys) Dahli; (Testudinata, Pleurodira, Chelidae) Contribuciones al conocimiento sobre la Ecología y distribución geográfica de Phrynops (Batrachemys) Dahli; (Testudinata, Pleurodira, Chelidae)
subject: Batrachemys, Chelidae, Testudinata, pleurodira
description: 1. Data on Ecology, Behavior and Geographical Distribution of the chelid turtle, Phrynops (Batrachemys) dahli, are reported. 2. The original habitat of the 'carranchina' or 'cabeza al lado' consisted in ponds and small brooks within the forests, a situation which has gradually changed; actually the entire area around the type locality is transformed into pastures. 3. It is principally carnivorous and feeds on snails, aquatic insects, tadpoles, frogs, small fishes, carrion, but also sometimes on vegetable matter. No endoparasites had been found. 4. A marked dimorphism exists between the two sexes (figs. 2, 4, 5). 5. The mating season takes place in June-July approximately. 6. From one to six white, hard-shelled, slightly ellipsoid eggs are laid mainly in September-October; they measure between 35.5 : 29.0 mm. and. 28.0 : 23.5 mm. (fig. 7). 7. In several females, captured in May 22, 1958, which died in June 1959, hard-shelled eggs and numerous ovules had been found. 8. A female, captured in September 24, 1963, laid October 22, 1963, four eggs in a shallow groove without covering them, possibly due to lack of time or the hard soil full of pebbles. Three of those eggs were apparently not fertilized and became dry within two months; the last one was finally opened in August 14, 1964; it measured 34.5 : 26.5 mm. and contained a Fetus almost ready to hatch (fig. 6); its Carapax measured 28.0 mm, (length) and 22.5 mm. (width); the very protruding vitelline sack (12.0 : 11.0 mm.) still covered the Plastron; an easy discernible Oviruptor was present. This does not necessarily mean that the incubation period normally lasts over ten months, but rather seems to indicate that the eggs are resistant enough to develop in spite of a prolonged dry season - common in the given area - without suffering lethal effects. 9. Taken from the great number of ovules in different state of development, together with hard-shelled eggs, it seems to indicate the possibility that the same female lay…
creator: Medem Federico
source: Caldasia
publisher: Universidad Nacional de Colombia
date: 1966
relation: http://www.revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/cal/article/view/33707
coverage: Science, Botany, Zoology