Pelochelys cantorii Gray, 1864

Figueroa, Alex, Low, Martyn E. Y. & Lim, Kelvin K. P., 2023, Singapore’s herpetofauna: updated and annotated checklist, history, conservation, and distribution, Zootaxa 5287 (1), pp. 1-378 : 85

Pelochelys cantorii Gray, 1864 — Native; Indeterminate.

Pelochelys cantorii Gray, 1864: 90 , figs. 9, 10. Holotype: BMNH 1947.3.6.21–22 (formerly BM 1860.4.19.1444), by original designation. Type locality: “Malacca”, Peninsular Malaysia.

Cantor’s Giant Softshell

( Figures 10B & 10C )

Singapore records.

Pelochelys bibronii ?— Gray, 1864 b: 91.

Pelochelys Bibronii ?— Gray, 1870: 92.

Pelochelys cantorii — Kumar, 2004: 1445.—Ramsay et al., 2007: 165.—N. Baker & K.P. Lim, 2008: 168.—P.K.A. Ng, 2009: 18.— Das, 2010: 177.—T.H. Ng & K.K.P. Lim, 2010: 119.—P.K.L. Ng et al., 2011: 463.—N. Baker & K.P. Lim, 2012: 168.—TTWG, 2021: 333.

Remarks. Omitted from Singapore’s herpetofauna checklist after Gray (1864 b, 1870) first reported it, the occurrence of P.cantorii in Singapore is known from only three specimens predating the early 1900s.There is uncertainty on the origins of a skull of P. cantorii that Gray (1864) examined at the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons (now Hunterian Museum). The skull was believed to have been collected in Australia, but Gray (1864) suspected it was obtained in Singapore. Kumar (2004) cited Das (1995) when listing Singapore as part of the distribution of P. cantorii . Das (1995) must have either referenced Gray (1864 b; 1870) or two specimens deposited at LKCNHM that were obtained in Singapore between the late 1800s and early 1900s. Since then, P. cantorii was included more regularly as a member of Singapore’s herpetofauna. Regardless of the uncertainty of these specimens, P. cantorii is considered native and extirpated from Singapore (Ng & Lim 2010; TTWG 2021).

Occurrence. Only known from three museum specimens predating the early 1900s. Likely extirpated.

Singapore conservation status. Not Evaluated.

Conservation priority. Immediate priority, if rediscovered.

IUCN conservation status. Critically Endangered [2021].

LKCNHM & NHMUK Museum specimens. Singapore (no locality): ZRC.2.140– ZRC.2.141 (no date).

Additional Singapore museum specimens. No specimens.

Singapore localities. No published localities.

Genus Pelodiscus Fitzinger, 1835 (1 species)

Pelodiscus Fitzinger, 1835: 110 , 120, 127 (type species: Trionyx (Aspidonectes) sinensis Wiegmann, 1834 , by subsequent designation by Fitzinger, 1843: 30; gender masculine).

Figures

FIGURE 10. A) Dogania subplana, B) Pelochelys cantorii, C) Pelochelys cantorii, D) Pelodiscus cf. sinensis, E) Aphaniotis fusca, F) Bronchocela cristatella, G) Calotes versicolor, and H) Draco fimbriatus. Photographs by: Kelvin K.P. Lim [A–B, D–E], Dr. Teo Eng Wah @ Vince Adam [C], Thio Hui Bing [F], Alex Figueroa [G], and Evan S.H. Quah [H].