Galapagos Species Database

The Galapagos Species Database shares the information about the species from our Natural History Collections.

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Podocnemis unifilis Troschel, 1848

Charapa pequeña, Yellow-spotted River Turtle

Taxonomy

Domain
Eukaryota

Kingdom
Animalia

Phylum
Chordata

Class
Reptilia

Order
Testudines

Family
Pelomedusidae

Genus
Podocnemis

Species
unifilis

Taxon category: Accepted

Origin: Introduced - not established

Status

Vulnerable

Introduction

Year of first record: 2006

Mode of introduction: Intentional

Introduction Pathway: Intentional

Subpathway: Pet/aquarium/terrarium species

Introduced status: Intercepted

Distribution

Distribution: Intercepted on San Cristobal Island.

References

  • Arteaga, A. Bustamante, L., Vierira, J., Tapia, W., Guayasamin, J.M. (2019) Reptiles of the Galapagos Life on the Enchanted Islands Tropical Herping
  • Jiménez-Uzcátegui, G. Carrión, V., Zabala, J., Buitrón, P. & Milstead, B. (2007) Status of introduced vertebrates in Galapagos. Galapagos Report 2006–2007. Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, p. 136–141.

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This page should be cited as follows:

"Galapagos Species Database, Podocnemis unifilis", dataZone. Charles Darwin Foundation, https://datazone.darwinfoundation.org/en/checklist/?species=5303. Accessed 3 October 2026.