Lesser Chinese softshell turtle

The lesser Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus parviformis) is a species of turtle in the family Trionychidae.^[3] It is endemic to China, where it inhabits a small range in Guangxi and Hunan provinces. Populations of this species in Vietnam and Hainan are now considered to belong to a separate species, the spotted softshell turtle (P. variegatus).^[4][5]

Lesser Chinese softshell turtle
Conservation status
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Family:	Trionychidae
Genus:	Pelodiscus
Species:	P. parviformis
Binomial name
Pelodiscus parviformis Tang, 1997[2]

There is some controversy within researchers over whether or not P. parviformis is a valid species. Yang et al. (2011) deemed it a valid species.^[6] Reptile Database commented that due to a lack of a revised diagnosis in this study, this species is still somewhat of unclear status.^[3]

It has been proposed that this species be considered as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to its restricted range and the heavy level of exploitation it receives.^[4]