Genetic research discovered a new species of turtle belonging to the genus Chelus, with a strange shape and unusual hunting behavior.

Scientists at the Senckenberg Institute for Biological Research (Germany) have described a new species of Mata Mata leaf turtle based on genetic analysis. The research was published in the journal Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.

Mata Mata leaf turtle has a strange shape. (Photo: Phys).

The new Mata Mata turtle, belonging to the genus Chelus, was discovered by the team while hiding in the mud, its body up to 53 cm long, like a rock covered with green algae. When prey approaches, the leaf turtle uses its nose to suck in the prey, quickly swallowing it whole.

“The newly discovered turtle species has a strange appearance and unusual hunting behavior, currently information about the genetic variation of this species is limited,” said Professor Uwe Fritz, Senckenberg Institute for Biological Research. and said that up to now, the genus Chelus turtle contains only one species, which is the leaf turtle genus Chelus Fimbriata.

Using 75 DNA samples, the research team showed that the new species has many genetic and morphological differences, living in the Orinoco basins (South America) and Río Negro (Argentina), while the leaf turtle Chelus Fimbriata is limited to the Amazon basin.

According to research, the two species separated during the Miocene (about 13 million years ago). During this period, the former Amazon and Orinoco river basins began to separate into the two river basins known today. Many aquatic species have become spatially separated and have begun to genetically subspecies.

“Based on habitat research, we decided to take a closer look at the genetic structure of this species,” said Uwe Fritz.

Male Mata Mata leaf turtles have longer and wider tails than females.

Mata Mata leaf turtles are also very large turtles that usually grow to 43 – 45cm. The largest recorded was 61cm. Female turtles are usually larger than male turtles. Like other adult turtles, males have longer and wider tails than females. Although these turtles are widely known for their bizarre appearance and hunting behavior, little is known about their variation and genetics.

Mata Mata have extremely poor eyesight, but several other sensory aids allow them to detect movement in the murky substrate they inhabit.

The Mata Mata leaf turtle is a sedentary turtle with a flat, triangular head. The nose is tubular and partly horned. They are shaped like a dead leaf and have a pale yellow color. Because its shell looks like a dead leaf, it is also called the dead leaf turtle . The Mata Mata leaf turtle is characterized by a very sturdy shell. When attacked, turtles can retract their head, tail and limbs into their shell.

They like to live in muddy or slow-moving river water. When the leaf turtle breathes, it only stretches its neck and nose tube out of the water and never exposes any part other than the nose tube out of the water. They are usually active in shallow water and their nose can breathe in the water. Mata Mata leaf turtles are not animals at the top of the food chain in the area where they live. But its numerous evolutionary products and physical mimicry give it quite a high hunting ability.

They like to live in muddy or slow-moving river water.

This carnivorous turtle mainly eats fish and aquatic invertebrates. They may also eat birds and small mammals that have entered the water.

The Mata Mata leaf turtle is assessed by the group as not being threatened with extinction like the turtle of the same genus Chelus. Currently, the team continues to research the living characteristics and reproductive capabilities of this new turtle species.