مقدمه اي بر زيست شناسي لاك پشت فراتي Refetus euphraticus در استان خوزستان

An introduction to the biology of the Euphrates Turtle (Refetus euphraticus) in Khuzestan Province, Iran

Euphrates Turtles, Refetus euphraticus, belongs to Trionychidae family. In this research 32 Euphrates Turtles were collected from different habitats in Khuzestan Province during 2007-2008, and were studied in terms of their biology and morphometry. In contrary to the other turtles, R. euphraticus possesses a soft shell with soft and flexible edges. Their carapaces are round to oval shape and the color in non-adults is olive-green with yellow, beige or white spots. In adults, however, there are either no spots on the shell or there are limited or darker spots. The head is elongated and its tube-shaped snout is short and thick covered by fleshy lobes. The neck is relatively long and flexible. All its front and hind toes are paddled and only 3 of its toes, in both front and hind paws, possess claws. They are carnivorous and lay 4-5 eggs per year. The size of the eggs is averagely 28.95 mm in diameter. The statistical data indicates no meaningful difference in characteristics and appearance between males and females. Maximum of the relative abundance of the weight (57.5%) was till 5 kg. Maximum of the relative abundance of the carapaceʹs length (24%) was between 30 and 40 cm. Maximum of the relative abundance of the carapaceʹs width (31%), maximum of the relative abundance of the plastronʹs length (28%) and maximum of the relative abundance of the plastronʹs width (21%) were between 25 and 30 cm. Maximum of the relative abundance of the tail length 1 (from the end of the plastron to the end of the tail) (46%) was between 5 and 15 cm. Maximum of the relative abundance of the tail length 2 (from the end of the plastron to the initial part of the cloak) (19%) was between 10 and 12.5 cm. In this research sexual ratio (male/female) was 1/0.7.