Macquarie Turtle at Kiah, NSW
Identification history
| Emydura macquarii | 8 Aug 2019 | PatrickCampbell | ||
| Unidentified | 7 Aug 2019 | jimm |
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User's notes
An unusual, out-of-range sighting of Emydura macquarii. Identify confirmed by Dr Murray at the Australian Museum, Sydney.
7 comments
PatrickCampbell
wrote:
9 Aug 2019
I agree with Dr Murray that these animals are surely Emydura macquarii and well out of the species natural range.
This the second non-local native species (the other a Shingleback) sighted recently in this area, suggesting that these animals have been relocated/released and it looks like the turtles have established a wild population, judging by the half dozen specimens basking on the log in the photograph.
This the second non-local native species (the other a Shingleback) sighted recently in this area, suggesting that these animals have been relocated/released and it looks like the turtles have established a wild population, judging by the half dozen specimens basking on the log in the photograph.
MaxCampbell
wrote:
9 Aug 2019
I have created Emydura macquarii in our data base as a non-local native, minor weed or pest, with this descriptor:
The release of Emydura macquarii into ALCW waterways may result in the establishment of local populations.
The release of Emydura macquarii into ALCW waterways may result in the establishment of local populations.
PaulWhitington
wrote:
10 Aug 2019
Thanks for your comments Patrick and Max. I’ll pass them on to Jim Morris, on whose behalf I made this posting. Jim owns the swamp where these turtles occur. I’m sure he didn’t introduce them himself. I gather they’ve been there for some years. Paul
PaulWhitington
wrote:
10 Aug 2019
Jim has an interesting theory that these turtles were introduced by indigenous peoples using the Bundian Way to move between the Murray River and the coast. His idea is that the animals would have provided a source of fresh meat for the journey. He has discussed this with Dr Murray and apparently he considers it plausible. Paul
PatrickCampbell
wrote:
10 Aug 2019
Thanks Max (good idea) and Paul. It's an interesting theory and one which I hadn't considered but I suppose it's possible.
MaxCampbell
wrote:
10 Aug 2019
Hi Paul and Jim,
That is interesting. I've been consulting my field guide to "Reptiles of New South Wales" (Swan et al). It tells me that there are six subspecies of Emydura macquarii. Five are restricted to east flowing river systems, the furthest south being E. macquarii dharruk (Sydney Basin Turtle) in the Nepean River system. Its carapace length reaches 15cm in males and 19cm in females
E. macquarii macquarii is found through the Murray Darling drainage west of the Great Dividing Range and would therefore be the most likely sub species inhabiting Jim"s swamp if his theory is correct.
E. macquarii macquarii is the largest of the 6 subspecies. Its carapace length reaches 30cm in males and 34cm in females. cheers, Max
That is interesting. I've been consulting my field guide to "Reptiles of New South Wales" (Swan et al). It tells me that there are six subspecies of Emydura macquarii. Five are restricted to east flowing river systems, the furthest south being E. macquarii dharruk (Sydney Basin Turtle) in the Nepean River system. Its carapace length reaches 15cm in males and 19cm in females
E. macquarii macquarii is found through the Murray Darling drainage west of the Great Dividing Range and would therefore be the most likely sub species inhabiting Jim"s swamp if his theory is correct.
E. macquarii macquarii is the largest of the 6 subspecies. Its carapace length reaches 30cm in males and 34cm in females. cheers, Max
PatrickCampbell
wrote:
10 Aug 2019
If you ever happen to get the opportunity to measure the carapace length of an aged or mature adult, it may give an indication as to which subspecies the population originates from. John Cann's book 'Australian Freshwater Turtles' published in 1998 gives detailed descriptions of all subspecies of Emydura macquarii and may be used to get an idea as to where these turtles originally came from.
Location information
- Coordinates 149.860785-37.159779
- Places Kiah, NSW
Sighting information
- 4 - 15 Abundance
- 18 Dec 2018 11:52 AM Recorded on
- jimm Recorded by
Species information
- Emydura macquarii Scientific name
- Macquarie Turtle Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Non-local native
- Minor Weed or Pest
- Up to 794m Recorded at altitude
- Machine learning
