Pitted-shell turtle (English spelling: pitted-shell turtle)

Japanese: スッポンモドキ(擬鼈) - スッポンモドキ（英語表記）pitted‐shell turtle

Also known as the New Guinea Soft-shelled Turtle. A rare turtle of the Carettochelyidae family of the reptile class with characteristics intermediate between soft-shelled turtles and marsh turtles, with only one genus and one species (illustration). It is found in freshwater areas such as the Fly River basin in southern New Guinea and in northern Australia, and also in brackish waters. The carapace is about 50 cm long. Like soft-shelled turtles, the carapace lacks scales, but like marsh turtles, it is hard and box-shaped, with a roof-like protuberance on the dorsum. The snout is long and tubular, and the jaws are sharp and beak-like. The limbs are fin-like like those of a sea turtle, with the three outer fingers long and the first and second fingers having sharp claws.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

別名ニューギニアスッポン。スッポンとヌマガメとの中間の形質をもつ爬虫綱スッポンモドキ科Carettochelyidaeの珍しいカメで，1属1種（イラスト）。ニューギニア南部のフライ川流域などとオーストラリア北部の淡水に分布し，汽水にもすむ。甲長約50cm。甲はスッポン類と同様に鱗板を欠くが，ヌマガメ類と同様に硬い箱形をしており，背面は屋根状に隆起している。鼻先は細長い管状で，あごは鋭いくちばし状。四肢はウミガメのようなひれ状で，外側3本の指が長く第1,2指に鋭いつめがある。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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