Fitzroy River turtle

The Fitzroy River turtle is light to dark brown in color and grows to about 260 mm in carapace length. The species has a single pair of barbels on the lower jaw. This allows it to remain under water for up to three weeks. ==Biology==

Diet This turtle is an adept bottom feeder, preying on terrestrial and aquatic insects, macroinvertebrates, crustaceans, algae, aquatic snails, worms, freshwater sponges, and aquatic plants such as ribbon weed (Vallisneria sp.). Stomach flushing has demonstrated that most of the diet was made up of macroinvertebrates with some freshwater sponges. Natural history and observations in the wild This species shows a clear preference for fast-flowing water (near sand banks for egg laying) and has been found at depths as shallow as 15 cm. In most encounters, they have been found lying still, hidden by overhanging plant foliage along the shallow banks of fast-flowing riffles (fast-flowing streams or rapids) and under logs. In all encounters, their preferred substratum was noted as coarse river sand and gravel. Breeding biology Sexual dimorphism is limited, with the tail of the female being acutely shorter than that of the male. The most accurate way to differentiate between sexes is to compare the distance between the anal scutes of the plastron and the cloacae. In the male, the cloaca is located further away from the plastron than in the female. Most other short-necked turtles in Australia show obvious differences in tail length and thickness. Multiclutching is demonstrated in this species; corpora lutea, current eggs, and enlarged follicles were present in the females, indicating at least three clutches. Anecdotal records since indicate up to five clutches may occur. ==Conservation status==

Their habitat comprises a total area of less than 10,000 km2, including the Fitzroy, Mackenzie, and Dawson Rivers. Its limited distribution and status as sole survivor of a once more widespread genus give it a high priority for conservation. The species has been listed as vulnerable on the IUCN checklist since 1994. Therefore, reductions in aquatic oxygen levels, particularly by agriculture and dams, reduces survival among juvenile classes. Three major impacts on the species have been identified - reduction in invertebrate prey, conversion of fluvial to lacustrine habitat, and the increase of sedimentation impacting the cloacal breathing mode. Hence it is listed as vulnerable under both the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act 1999) and the Queensland Nature Conservation Act, 1992. The IUCN currently flags this species as in need of review. ==References==