Zambezi Flapshell Turtle
Encyclopedia
The Zambezi flapshell turtle (Cycloderma frenatum) is a species
of softshell turtle (family
Trionychidae
). Within its family, it belongs to the smaller and exclusively Old World
subfamily, the Cyclanorbinae
.
It is found in southeastern Africa, in the countries of Malawi
, Mozambique
, Tanzania
, and Zimbabwe
, and nanely in the Zambezi
basin. This turtle is becoming rare due to habitat loss.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of softshell turtle (family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Trionychidae
Trionychidae
Trionychidae is a taxonomic family which comprises a number of turtle genera commonly known as softshells. They are also sometimes called pancake turtles. Softshells consist of some of the world's largest fresh water turtles, though many can adapt to living in highly brackish areas. Members of this...
). Within its family, it belongs to the smaller and exclusively Old World
Old World
The Old World consists of those parts of the world known to classical antiquity and the European Middle Ages. It is used in the context of, and contrast with, the "New World" ....
subfamily, the Cyclanorbinae
Cyclanorbinae
Cyclanorbinae is a subfamily of flapshell turtles in the Trionychidae family....
.
It is found in southeastern Africa, in the countries of Malawi
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
, Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, and Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, and nanely in the Zambezi
Zambezi
The Zambezi is the fourth-longest river in Africa, and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from Africa. The area of its basin is , slightly less than half that of the Nile...
basin. This turtle is becoming rare due to habitat loss.
Source
- Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group 1996. Cycloderma frenatum. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 9 July 2007.