At half a meter in length , the new species of matamata turtle named Chelus orinocensis is “one of the strangest tortoises in the world” and has been discovered thanks to genetic tests.
This species of tortoise is known all over the world for its small eyes, its large mouth that seems to always be smiling, its flat triangular head and its nose shaped like a snorkel. Until now, the charismatic South American tortoise was believed to be the only species contained in the genus Chelus, but the new findings conclude that the two species separated about 13 million years ago during the late Miocene. During this time, the Amazon-Orinoco basin began to separate into two rivers, generating divisions in the aquatic species that lived in the region and their eventual genetic divergence.
“Although these tortoises are widely known for their strange appearance and unusual feeding behavior, surprisingly little is known about their variability and genetics,” Uwe Fritz of the Senckenberg Natural History Collections in Dresden commented in a statement. “Until now, we assumed that there was only one species of this armored reptile that is widely spread in South America.”
“To date, this species was not considered endangered, due to its widespread distribution. However, our results show that, due to the division into two species, the population size of each species is smaller than previously assumed “, clarified Mario Vargas-Ramírez, co-author of the work.” In addition, every year thousands of these strange looking animals end up in the illegal animal trade and are confiscated by the authorities. “
Referencia: Mario Vargas-Ramírez et al. Genomic analyses reveal two species of the matamata (Testudines: Chelidae: Chelus spp.) and clarify their phylogeography, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106823
