Galapagos Species Database

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

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.

You are welcome to download and use the information found in this page, acknowledging its source.

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.