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Issue: Vol. 2008 No. 1: 11 Feb. 2009
Type: Article
Published: 2009-02-11
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2008.1.3
Page range: 29–37
Abstract views: 82
PDF downloaded: 67

Further specimens and phylogenetic position of the recently described leaf turtle species Cyclemys gemeli (Testudines: Geoemydidae)

Am Katzelbach 98, A-8054 Graz, Austria
Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Natural History State Collections Dresden, A. B. Meyer Building, D-01109 Dresden, Germany
Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Natural History State Collections Dresden, A. B. Meyer Building, D-01109 Dresden, Germany
Reptilia India Myanmar Cyclemys fusca Cyclemys gemeli molecular phylogenetics

Abstract

We describe external morphology and habitat of ten specimens of Cyclemys gemeli, a recently discovered leaf turtle species from north-eastern India, previously known only from its incomplete holotype and photos of a live female. Further, we assess the phylogenetic position of C. gemeli using sequence data of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene as well as of three nuclear DNA fragments (C-mos, Rag2 genes, intron 1 of R35 gene) and confirm its genetic distinctiveness. Mitochondrial data strongly suggest a sister group relationship of C. gemeli and C. fusca, another species occurring in Myanmar. According to our new records, the Naga Hills and the Arakan Mts could constitute the geographical divide between C. gemeli and C. fusca. Morphologically, C. gemeli resembles other dark-bellied Cyclemys species and determination by external morphology alone is quite difficult.

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