Chitra indica ( Gray, 1831 )

Mohan, K. Chandra, Kottur, Samad & Murthy, Channakeshava, 2021, A Study on Chelonian Fauna of River Tungabhadra (Hampi vicinity), Karnataka, Records of the Zoological Survey of India 121 (1), pp. 55-59 : 56

2. Chitra indica ( Gray, 1831)

Common Name: Narrow-headed softshell Turtle

Distribution: The Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle Chitra indica (Family Trionychidae ) is an extremely large and highly aquatic species; it is widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent. The species is widespread in South Asia and occurs in different north Indian riverine systems. The review of its distribution in southern peninsular India is patchy and sporadic, and this turtle was found in the river Dhond near Pune, Maharashtra as well in Kollidam River (a tributary of river Cauvery), as it flows through delta of Thanjavur ( Webb, 1981). Its population sizes are unknown, but the species appears to be threatened by human exploitation and modifications of its riverine habitat ( Das & Singh, 2009). Our team surveyed in Thungabhadra and reports its distribution for the first time from this river.

Conservation Status: Endangered-EN (IUCN Red list), Appendix II (CITES) and Schedule IV, Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.