Indian eyed turtle


The Indian eyed turtle '' is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is endemic to South Asia.

Geographic range

M. petersi is found in northeastern India and in Bangladesh.

Etymology

The specific name, petersi, is in honour of German herpetologist Wilhelm Peters.

Description

M. petersi is very closely allied to Morenia ocellata. The snout is much more pointed and relatively longer. The suture between the is not shorter than the suture between the abdominals. The carapace is black. Each vertebral has a narrow yellowish mesial line. The last four vertebrals have a yellowish linear horseshoe mark with both ends directed forward. All costals have an ocellus placed rather low and formed by a narrow yellowish line, above which are some irregular looped lines of similar colour. The nuchal and each marginal have a narrow, vertical yellowish mesial streak. The plastron is yellow. Three yellow streaks are on each side of the head, the lower one extending from below the nostril to the angle of the mouth.
Males can achieve a carapace length up to 5 in ; females can achieve a shell length up to 8 in.
Type locality: Huzurapur, Faridpur, and Dhaka, Bangladesh

Reproduction

Mating of M. petersi occurs in the winter months, and nesting follows in April–May. A clutch is made up of two eggs 34.6–35 mm x 22 mm.