Black Soft-shell Turtle
Encyclopedia
The Black softshell turtle or Bostami Turtle (Aspideretes nigricans, sometimes placed in genus
Nilssonia
) is a species
of freshwater turtle
found in India
(Assam
) and Bangladesh
(Chittagong
). It was long believed to be inbred individuals of the Ganges Soft-shelled Turtle (A. gangeticus or N. gangeticus) or the Peacock Soft-shelled Turtle (A. hurum or N. hurum), but while it is a close relative of the latter it is a distinct species.
Originally native to the lower Brahmaputra River
, the only population
ever reliably known consists of 150-300 turtles in a manmade pond which is part of the Hazrat Sultan
Bayazid Bastami
(also transliterated "Bostami" or "Bustami") shrine
at Chittagong, where they are dependent on humans for survival. To the locals and worshippers, the Black Soft-shelled Turtle is known as mazari ("Mazar
inhabitant"); specimens from this shrine were used in the first scientific description.
The shrine's caretakers – the Mazar Committee – protect the turtle population, but will not allow specimens to be taken anymore, regardless of whether they would be killed or used for reintroduction
into the wild. This is due to the animals being considered the descendants of sin
ners who were miraculously turned into turtles by a saint
during the 13th century. Scientific study of the shrine's turtle population can be arranged for, however, providing the animals are not harmed.
As of 2002, the IUCN classified the species as Extinct in the Wild
. However, it was recently found that in Assam at least one wild population still exists, inhabiting the Jia Bhoroli river which is a northern tributary of the Brahmaputra. Also, a population of these turtles was identified in the Kachapukhuri pond on Nilachal Hill, next to the Kamakhya Temple
temple at Guwahati
in Assam.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Nilssonia
Nilssonia (animal)
Nilssonia is a genus of softshell turtles . In many treatments, it is monotypic, with the single species Burmese Peacock Softshell . However, the supposed other genus of peacock softshells, Aspideretes, is even closer related to N. formosa than was previously believed...
) is a species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of freshwater turtle
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
found in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
(Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
) and Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
(Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
). It was long believed to be inbred individuals of the Ganges Soft-shelled Turtle (A. gangeticus or N. gangeticus) or the Peacock Soft-shelled Turtle (A. hurum or N. hurum), but while it is a close relative of the latter it is a distinct species.
Brahmaputra River
The Brahmaputra , also called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra, is a trans-boundary river and one of the major rivers of Asia. It is the only Indian river that is attributed the masculine gender and thus referred to as a in Indo-Aryan languages and languages with Indo-Aryan influence...
, the only population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
ever reliably known consists of 150-300 turtles in a manmade pond which is part of the Hazrat Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
Bayazid Bastami
Bayazid Bastami
Bayazid Bastami , also known as Abu Yazid Bistami or Tayfur Abu Yazid al-Bustami, was a Persian Sufi born in Bastam, Iran.- Background :...
(also transliterated "Bostami" or "Bustami") shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
at Chittagong, where they are dependent on humans for survival. To the locals and worshippers, the Black Soft-shelled Turtle is known as mazari ("Mazar
Mazar
A Mazār is a tomb or mausoleum ; the word deriving from the Arabic verb zāra , 'to visit', whence also comes the noun ziyārah , 'a visit', or 'visiting the tomb of a saint for blessings.'. Though the word is Arabic in origin, it has been borrowed by a number of eastern languages, including Persian...
inhabitant"); specimens from this shrine were used in the first scientific description.
The shrine's caretakers – the Mazar Committee – protect the turtle population, but will not allow specimens to be taken anymore, regardless of whether they would be killed or used for reintroduction
Reintroduction
Reintroduction is the deliberate release of a species into the wild in zones formerly inhabited by said species but where it has disappeared from for a number of reasons, from captivity or relocated from other areas where the species still survives in...
into the wild. This is due to the animals being considered the descendants of sin
Sin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
ners who were miraculously turned into turtles by a saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
during the 13th century. Scientific study of the shrine's turtle population can be arranged for, however, providing the animals are not harmed.
As of 2002, the IUCN classified the species as Extinct in the Wild
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct in the Wild is a conservation status assigned to species or lower taxa, the only known living members of which are being kept in captivity or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.-Examples:...
. However, it was recently found that in Assam at least one wild population still exists, inhabiting the Jia Bhoroli river which is a northern tributary of the Brahmaputra. Also, a population of these turtles was identified in the Kachapukhuri pond on Nilachal Hill, next to the Kamakhya Temple
Kamakhya Temple
The Kamakhya Temple is a Shakti Peeth temple situated on the Nilachal Hill in western part of Guwahati city in Assam, India. It is the main temple in a complex of individual temples dedicated to different forms of the mother goddess as the Dasa Mahavidya, including Bhuvaneshvari, Bagalamukhi,...
temple at Guwahati
Guwahati
Guwahati, Pragjyotishpura in ancient Assam formerly known as Gauhati is a metropolis,the largest city of Assam in India and ancient urban area in North East India, with a population of 963,429. It is also the largest metropolitan area in north-eastern India...
in Assam.
