Wednesday, November 21, 2012

[Testudology • 2004] An Ocadia sinensis x Cyclemys shanensis hybrid (Testudines: Geoemydidae)


Fig: The captive bred Ocadia sinensis x Cyclemys shanensis hybrid, September 2003 (11 months old). The roofed, distinctly tricarinate shell and the serrated posterior marginals resemble Cyclemys spp. The neck and facial stripes as well as the plastral pattern are similar to O. sinensis. The plastral pattern was more contrasting as a hatchling and has faded during growth. Photos: F. Höhler.

Abstract
A captive bred Ocadia sinensis x Cyclemys shanensis hybrid is described. Its hybrid status was confirmed by a comparison of a 1036 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene with the putative mother (C. shanensis) and genomic ISSR fingerprinting. This is the first report of an intergeneric hybrid between very distantly related geoemydid turtles. All previous geoemydid intergeneric hybrids have been crossings within or between two sister clades containing the currently accepted genera (Chinemys, Mauremys, Ocadia) and (Cuora, Pyxidea).

Key words: Cyclemys, Ocadia, testudines, intergeneric hybrid.




Schilde, Maik, Dana Barth and Uwe Fritz 2004. An Ocadia sinensis x Cyclemys shanensis hybrid (Testudines: Geoemydidae). Asiatic Herpetological Research. 10: 120-125