Lissemys punctata (Lacepede, 1788)

Mohan, K. Chandra, Kottur, Samad & Murthy, Channakeshava, 2021, A Study on Chelonian Fauna of River Tungabhadra (Hampi vicinity), Karnataka, Records of the Zoological Survey of India 121 (1), pp. 55-59 : 56

3. Lissemys punctata (Lacepede, 1788)

Common Name: Indian Flapshell Turtle Distribution: Lissemys punctata is restricted to the Indian sub region. The nominotypical subspecies occurs in southern peninsular India, in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu ( Bhupathy et al., 2014). This is the most common and widespread species of turtle in South Indian rivers as well as in the Tungabhadra river within study area. During the study, team sighted the species collected in large numbers illegally and brought them to fish markets in gunny jute bags and pouring them in front of the people to sell them in day light in late afternoon by Bangladeshi (origin) fisherman community (plate 2). However, this species population is gradually declining due to illegal hunting and trapping by fishermen and tribal hunters. Three sub species recognized in India ( Smith, 1933).

Conservation Status: Least concerned-LC (IUCN Red list), Appendix II (CITES). Schedule I, Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Distribution: Indian Black Turtle also called as Indian Pond Terrapin is the most common semi aquatic turtle found in Indian rivers, ponds, lakes and other freshwater bodies. Six subspecies are currently recognized ( Das & Bhupathy, 2009).

Conservation Status: Near Threatened-NT (IUCN Red list). Not listed by CITES and not listed under Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 yet ( Ahmed & Das, 2010).