Mauremys sinensis
| Chinese stripe-necked turtle | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Cryptodira |
| Superfamily: | Testudinoidea |
| Family: | Geoemydidae |
| Genus: | Ocadia (previously Mauremys) |
| Species: | O. sinensis |
| Binomial name | |
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Ocadia sinensis (Gray, 1834) |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Chinese stripe-necked turtle (Ocadia sinensis) or golden thread turtle, is a species of turtle in the Geoemydidae family.
Like many other Geoemydidae, this species hybridizes vigorously with related and not-so-closely related members of its family.
It is one of the two most commonly found species used for divination that have been recovered from Shang dynasty sites.
Chinese-stripe-necked turtles have a green body. As a juvenile, its carapace is grayish green and there are three distinctive ridges. As an adult, the color fades to a brown color and the two ridges gradually disappear. The plastron is ivory in color with small black spots. The male's tail is more coarse and long, while adult females will be larger than the males.
This species prefers low altitude waters such as ponds, canals, and slow-moving rivers.
It is found in China (Hainan, Guangdong & Fujian), Taiwan, Laos and northern & central Vietnam.
Chinese stripe-necked turtles are protected by the CITES and IUCN, captive-breeding Chinese stripe-necked turtles are approved. Another reason that affects its population is the invasion of red-eared sliders. In Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan and in some other countries, it is a popular pet turtle.
In captivity, hybrids have been produced between this species and Japanese pond turtle and the Chinese pond turtle, as well as with a male Cyclemys (oldhami) shanensis. The supposed species Ocadia glyphistoma is a hybrid between a male O. sinensis and a female Vietnamese pond turtle. A species nearly extinct in the wild. Ocadia philippeni was also shown to be of hybrid origin, a male Ocadia sinensis with a female Cuora trifasciata. Both are either naturally occurring or bred for the pet trade. Any individuals that are available as pets therefore need to be kept separate from other members of the family to prevent hybridization.
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Wikipedia