Pangshura tecta (Gray, 1831)

Section Introduction

This section describes the physical characteristics of Pangshura tecta.

Carapace General Structure

The carapace is elevated and tectiform, with a keel that ends in a nodosity on the third vertebral shield. Its posterior margin has no or very slight serration.

Nuchal Shield Structure

The nuchal shield is small, and either square or trapezoidal.

First Vertebral Shield Structure

The first vertebral shield is very variable in shape: in half-grown specimens, it usually has straight lateral borders that diverge toward the front, while in adults it is narrower at the front and has sinuous lateral borders.

Second Vertebral Shield Structure

The second vertebral shield is as long as, or a little longer than, the first, and is frequently obtusely pointed at the rear.

Third and Fourth Vertebral Shield Structure

The third vertebral shield is pointed at the rear, and makes contact with the point of the very elongate fourth vertebral shield.

Fifth Vertebral Shield Structure

The fifth vertebral shield is broader than all of the other vertebral shields.

Plastron General Structure

The plastron is large.

Plastron Shape By Age

In young individuals, it is strongly angled along the sides; it is truncate at the front, and has an angular notch at the rear.

Plastral Shield Proportions

The proportions of the plastral shields are very variable.

Plastral Suture and Accessory Shields

The suture between the gular and humeral shields forms a right angle, and the axillary and inguinal shields are large.

Head General Size

The head is moderate in size.

Snout Structure

The snout is short, rather pointed, and prominent.

Jaw Edge Structure

The edges of the jaws are denticulated, and the upper jaw has no medial notch.

Upper Jaw Alveolar Ridge

On the alveolar surface of the upper jaw, the median ridge sits closer to the inner border than the outer border.

Choanae Position

The bony choanae are located between the orbits.

Lower Jaw Width

The width of the lower jaw at the symphysis is less than the diameter of the orbit.

Fore Limb Scale Structure

The fore limbs have large transverse scales.

Carapace Base Color

The carapace is olive.

Juvenile Carapace Coloration

Young individuals have some black spots on the carapace, especially along the posterior edge of the first three vertebral shields; they also have an orange vertebral band and a narrow yellow margin.

Adult Carapace Coloration

The carapace is more uniform in color in adults.

Plastron Coloration

The plastron is orange or red with black spots, or brown with a yellowish border along the anterior and lateral edges of each shield; one recorded specimen had a uniformly yellow plastron.

Head Coloration

The head is blackish.

Jaw and Crown Coloration

The jaws and sides of the crown are orange.

Neck Coloration

The neck has numerous yellow lines over a blackish base color.

Limb Coloration

The limbs are dark olive, with yellow spots.

Maximum Shell Length

The maximum shell length of this species is nearly 9 inches.

Habitat General Type

Pangshura tecta is a quiet-water turtle.

Habitat Water Body Types

It occurs in quiet streams, canals, oxbows, ponds, and man-made water tanks, and also lives in brackish coastal waters.

Habitat Substrate and Vegetation Preference

It prefers habitats with a soft bottom and abundant aquatic vegetation.

Basking Behavior

It enjoys basking in early morning sun; basking helps it maintain its body temperature and supports Vitamin D synthesis.

Species Distribution

Pangshura tecta is distributed across the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus, and Mahanadi river drainages in Pakistan, northern and peninsular India, and Bangladesh.