New record of the Indian Roofed Turtle Pangshura tecta (Gray, 1831) (Reptilia: Testudines: Geoemydidae) from Jaisamand Lake, Rajasthan, India

Authors

  • Vijay Kumar Koli Wildlife Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3264-9253
  • Nirbhay Singh Chouhan Wildlife Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0389-6324
  • Kamal Vaishnav Wildlife Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8033-763X
  • Rakesh Kumar Wildlife Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10364.18.9.29769-29771

Keywords:

Biodiversity monitoring, citizen science, conservation monitoring, conservation status, freshwater chelonians, freshwater geoemydid, range extension, range record, re-sighting, wetland biodiversity

Abstract

The Indian Roofed Turtle Pangshura tecta (Gray, 1831) is a vulnerable freshwater geoemydid with a fragmented and poorly documented distribution in Rajasthan, India. Here, a recent observation of a P. tecta is reported from near Jaisamand Lake, Udaipur District, based on diagnostic morphological characters and colouration patterns. This record represents a significant and possibly new confirmed contemporary occurrence of P. tecta from southern Rajasthan in over three decades. The finding suggests the continued persistence of P. tecta in the region and highlights the urgent need for targeted surveys to assess its distribution, habitat use, and conservation status in southern Rajasthan.

References

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Published

26-09-2026

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 9 (2026)

Section

Short Communications

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Copyright (c) 2026 Vijay Kumar Koli, Nirbhay Singh Chouhan, Kamal Vaishnav, Rakesh Kumar

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