A new species of Pelodiscus from northeastern Indochina (Testudines, Trionychidae)

Abstract

A new, critically endangered species of softshell turtle, <i>Pelodiscusvariegatus</i> <b>sp. n.</b> is described from north-central Vietnam and Hainan Island, China, distinguished by a unique set of genetic and morphological traits from all other congeners (<i>P.axenaria</i>, <i>P.maackii</i>, <i>P.parviformis</i>, <i>P.sinensis</i>, and unnamed genetic lineages). Morphologically, <i>P.variegatus</i> is characterized, among others, by its strong ventral ornamentation in all age classes.