CheloniaTrace
Tree中文

Species / Testudines taxon

Indian Black Turtle

Melanochelys trijuga

A medium to large freshwater turtle, known as the Indian black turtle. It includes six recognized subspecies with varying distributions across South Asia.

Lineage: Turtles and Tortoises (TESTUDINES) > Cryptodira (CRYPTODIRA) > Durocryptodira (DUROCRYPTODIRA) > Testudinoid Turtles Superfamily (TESTUDINOIDEA) > Geoemydid Turtles (GEOEMYDIDAE) > Geoemydine Turtles Subfamily (GEOEMYDINAE) > Asian Black Turtles (Melanochelys) > Indian Black Turtle (Melanochelys trijuga). This path helps place the taxon within its family, genus, or species-level context.

Indian Black Turtle plate reference
Plate page 280
Chinese Name
黑山龟
English Name
Indian Black Turtle
Scientific Name
Melanochelys trijuga
Rank
Species

Plate notes

Melanochelys trijuga

Trivia

The specific name 'trijuga' comes from Latin 'tria' (three) and 'jugum' (yoke), also referencing the three carapacial keels that are most prominent in younger individuals.

Overview

A medium to large freshwater turtle, known as the Indian black turtle. It includes six recognized subspecies with varying distributions across South Asia.

Scientific Name

Melanochelys trijuga

Ecological Habits

Primarily aquatic, inhabiting ponds, marshes, slow-moving rivers, and rice paddies. It is diurnal and basks frequently. Omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, insects, and small vertebrates.

Major Threats & Conservation

Despite its Least Concern status, local populations face threats from habitat loss, water pollution, and overharvesting for consumption and traditional medicine. Conservation efforts include habitat preservation and regulation of trade.

Morphological Characteristics

Adults can reach a maximum straight carapace length (SCL) of 38.3 cm in males and 26.2 cm in females. The carapace is typically black or dark brown with three longitudinal keels (especially in juveniles). The plastron is yellowish with dark seams.

Natural Distribution & Conservation Status

Widely distributed in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand. Introduced in the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) and Maldives. IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC); CITES Appendix II. Estimated indigenous area of occupancy (AOO): 1,511,818 sq km; extent of occurrence (EOO): 5,163,214 sq km.

Open the source plate

This entry is linked to plate page 280. Return to the interactive tree to inspect the high-resolution plate and full AI guide.

Open Taxonomy Tree

Child taxa

Indian Black Turtle currently includes 6 direct child taxa. Open any entry to continue through its lineage and reference material.

Subspecies

Peninsular Indian Black Turtle

Melanochelys trijuga trijuga

Subspecies

Cochin Black Turtle

Melanochelys trijuga coronata

Subspecies

Burmese Black Turtle

Melanochelys trijuga edeniana

Subspecies

Bangladesh Black Turtle

Melanochelys trijuga indopeninsularis

Subspecies

Parker's Black Turtle

Melanochelys trijuga parkeri

Subspecies

Sri Lankan Black Turtle

Melanochelys trijuga thermalis