ALBINO INDIAN FLAPSHELL TURTLE

About:

• The Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) is a freshwater species of turtle found in South Asia.
  
  
• The "flap-shelled" name stems from the presence of femoral flaps located on the plastron. These flaps of skin cover the limbs when they retract into the shell.
  
  
• Its IUCN status is Vulnerable.
  
  
• These freshwater turtles are widespread across South Asian countries like Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. And while typical Indian flapshell turtles are dark green and brown, the example found recently has a decidedly more vibrant appearance.
  
  
• There were only two instances earlier of having ‘recorded’ the presence of albino version of this specie across India— once in Odisha and then in West Bengal.
  
  
• The Indian flapshell turtle's albino appearance is due to genetics. It is a congenital disorder and it is characterized by complete or partial absence of tyrosine pigment.