Uma nova subespécie de Quelônio, Kinosternon scorpiodes carajasensis da Serra dos Carajás, Pará (Testudinata - Kinosternidae)

Abstract

A new subspecies of Turtle Kinosternon scorpioides carajasensis, from Serra dos Carjás (Serra Norte) south of State of Pará, Brazil, is described in this paper. Serra Norte is an plateau with an elevation of approximately 700 meters, bounded by steep clifs, and rise about 300 meters above surrounding country. Aspects of the ecology are discussed. Populations of this smaill Kinosternon lives in various closed lakes formed by depressions inthe top of the plateau Serra Norte. These lakes are provided by rains water during the winter. This region is an characteristic vegetational enclave in teh densely Amazonian forest (Hileia). Kinosternon scorpioides carajasensis n. ssp. is very closely allied to K. s. scorpiodes (Linneu) common turtle distributed in almost all Amazônia, bust taxonomically distinguishable. Others comparisons are made between. K. s. seriel Freiberg, from north of Argetina, K. s. integrum Le Cointe, from Mexico and K. s. pachyurum Muller & Hellmich from Bolivia. Carapace, plastron, skull, coloration and others characters are compared with scorpiodes. The population of this small turtle lives completly isolated and for thsi his occurence is restrict to Serra Norte probably. Behavior in field is little known, bus were observed in captivity.