| Irwin's turtle | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Pleurodira |
| Family: | Chelidae |
| Genus: | Elseya |
| Subgenus: | Pelocomastes |
| Species: | E. irwini |
| Binomial name | |
| Elseya irwini | |
Irwin's turtle (Elseya irwini) is a rarespecies of freshwaterturtle in thefamilyChelidae. The species isendemic to Australia, originating from the lower region of theBurdekin River area in northernQueensland, and was named after the late conservationist and television personalitySteve Irwin.
NaturalistBob Irwin and his son Steve caught a femalespecimen ofE. irwini on acrocodile-catching trip on the Burdekin River in 1990, on afishing line.[2] Steve Irwin took pictures and sent them to turtle expertJohn Cann, who verified that it was indeed a new species.[3] The new species was named after Steve Irwin.[a][1][2][4][5]
The female of the speciesE. irwini has a pale head with a yellowish hornysheath on the crown.[6] The pale colour present in the female of this species is due to a lack of multiple pigments which affect essentially all parts of the body.[7] These individuals are known for their sturdy skull, which is supported by a narrow muscle called the pterygoid, creating a shielding for the skull and providing normal jaw functions.[8]
E. irwini, like some other turtles,[9] can breathe underwater by taking water into itscloaca.[citation needed] The cloaca is a cavity at the end of thedigestive tract containing a chamber withgill-like structures which allow for thediffusion of oxygen.[10] Without this structure, this species of turtle would not be able to stay under water for long periods of time. Irwin's turtle needs to live in a source of water that is plentiful withoxygen. If the water has low oxygen levels or is filled withcontaminants, the turtle has a lower chance of survival.[citation needed]
Thehabitat of the Irwin's turtle has been impacted by the construction of theBurdekin Dam, which has caused a decline in water quality of the Burdekin River, which makes it hard for this species to survive and reproduce. Plans for the construction ofUrannah Dam have been opposed, as this would cause further impacts and habitat contraction.[11]
E. irwini has been plentiful inBroken River and Bowen Creek. It had not been observed in the Lower Burdekin River in the 20 years preceding May 2022, until its presence was officially confirmed by researchers fromJames Cook University led by Cecilia Villacorta Rath.[4]
The species has not been listed under theEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) owing to lack of data on the species.[4][12]
In 2023, Steve Irwin's son, conservationist and television personalityRobert Irwin announced the first breeding of the turtle for zoological purposes at theAustralia Zoo.[13]
The first person to catch the irwini was Steve Irwin's father, Bob, on a fishing line during a family camping trip in 1990... Mr Cann said, "I saw the photos and jumped on the telephone because I knew it was a new species and asked Steve if I could do some work on it. He said, 'go for your life'. That's why I named it after him. I think if someone discovers something they should have a reward for it. It's a good legacy for Steve."
