Red-necked pond turtle

The red-necked pond turtle (Mauremys nigricans)^[2] is a species of turtles in the family Geoemydidae^[2] endemic to China.^[2] It is most likely restricted to Guangxi and Guangdong provinces, although pre-historic skull remains have been found in northern Vietnam and Hainan.^[4] Other common names include Kwangtung river turtle and black-necked pond turtle.^[5]

Red-necked pond turtle
Female M. nigricans
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 2.3)
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Superfamily:	Testudinoidea
Family:	Geoemydidae
Genus:	Mauremys
Species:	M. nigricans
Binomial name
Mauremys nigricans Grey, 1834[2]
Synonyms[3]
Emys nigracans Gray, 1856 (ex errore) Clemmys nigricans Strauch, 1862 Damonia nigricans Gray, 1869 Chinemys nigricans Fang, 1934 Geoclemys kwangtungensis Pope, 1934 Clemmys kuangtungensis Mell, 1938 (ex errore) Chinemys kwangtungensis Bourret, 1941 Geoclemys palaeannamitica Bourret, 1941 Chinemys palaeannamitica Bour, 1980 Mauremys nigricans Spinks, Shaffer, Iverson & McCord, 2004

Anatomy and morphology

A megacephalic form of the red-necked pond turtle exists, commonly called 'dumb-head'. This form is rarer than the smaller headed individuals.^[4] This species has strong sexual dimorphism with a significant size difference between males and females. The largest recorded male's carapace measured 185mm (7.2 in) in length whereas females with a size up to 298 mm (11.7 in) have been found.^[6]