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River turtles
Emydura - Bonaparte, 1836

Pronunciation: EMM-ee-DUE-rah
Etymology: 'turtle-tail'.

Taxonomic notes:

Notes:
Statistics: Reproductive modes:
Oviparous - 4 out of 4 Australian species

Size range:
Smallest Australian species: painted turtle (Emydura subglobosa) at 25 cm
 Longest Australian species: Murray River turtle (Emydura macquarii) at up to 35 cm
Number of Australian species: 4
 

Murray River turtle (Emydura macquarii)
Mary River, Queensland
Photo © Stewart Macdonald
Murray River turtle (Emydura macquarii) distribution range map Emydura macquarii
Murray River turtle
Year described
(Gray 1830)
Description
Iris clear, without leading and trailing dark spots; facial stripe present or absent, if present, as a cream or yellow post-ocular stripe only. Triturating surfaces of maxillary sheath not expanded to form a crushing plate on the roof of the mouth; borders of the triturating surfaces of the maxillary sheath approximately parallel for their full length; length of mandibular symphysis in adults approximately equal to the horizontal diameter of the tympanum.1

painted turtle (Emydura subglobosa)
Wongalara Sanctuary, Northern Territory
Photo © Stephen Zozaya
painted turtle (Emydura subglobosa) distribution range map Emydura subglobosa
Painted turtle
Year described
Krefft 1876
Description
Iris with leading and trailing dark spots; prominent facial stripe extending from the tympanum through the upper eyelid to the tip of the nose. Triturating surfaces of maxillary sheath not expanded to form a crushing plate on the roof of the mouth; borders of the triturating surfaces of the maxillary sheath approximately parallel for their full length; length of mandibular symphysis in adults approximately equal to the horizontal diameter of the tympanum.1

northern yellow-faced turtle (Emydura tanybaraga)
Wenlock River, Queensland
Photo © Henry Cook
northern yellow-faced turtle (Emydura tanybaraga) distribution range map Emydura tanybaraga
Northern yellow-faced turtle
Year described
Cann 1997
Description
Post-ocular stripe universally yellow (fading in older individuals); carapace commonly with distinct rugations in adult individuals; macrocephaly uncommon. Triturating surfaces of maxillary sheath not expanded to form a crushing plate on the roof of the mouth, but with moderate medial expansion; length of mandibular symphysis in adults approximately equal to the horizontal diameter of the tympanum.1

northern red-faced turtle (Emydura victoriae)
Central Kimberley, Western Australia
Photo © Stewart Macdonald
northern red-faced turtle (Emydura victoriae) distribution range map Emydura victoriae
Northern red-faced turtle
Year described
(Gray 1842)
Description
Post-ocular stripe typically bright red, fading with age; iris without leading and trailing dark spots; macrocephaly in adults common. Triturating surfaces of the maxillary sheath expanded, meeting medially to form a crushing plate on the roof of the mouth; length of mandibular symphysis in adults about 1.5 times the horizontal diameter of the tympanum.1

References
  1. Georges, A. & Thomson, S. (2010). Diversity of Australasian freshwater turtles, with an annotated synonymy and keys to species. Zootaxa, 2496:1-37. - search web for this article
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