Meet the Mary River Turtle: Nature’s Aquatic Punk with an Unconventional Respiratory Skill

he Mary River turtle, a fascinating reptile, stands out not only for its distinctive appearance but also for its remarkable adaptation to aquatic life, including its ability to respire underwater through an unexpected mechanism. Emerging from a lineage separate from all other living turtle species over 18 million years ago, this turtle boasts a punk-like aesthetic with vibrant green algae adorning its head and body, providing effective camouflage against predators in its watery habitat. Adding to its unique features are two elongated barbels extending from its chin, aiding in environmental perception.
However, what truly sets the Mary River turtle apart is its extraordinary respiratory capability, a trait few reptiles possess. Unlike some freshwater turtles relying on cutaneous respiration, the Mary River turtle employs specialized organs within its cloaca—primarily an orifice serving multiple physiological functions in non-mammalian vertebrates. According to Rikki Gumbs, a researcher at the EDGE of Existence program, this adaptation allows the turtle to remain submerged for extended periods, up to an impressive 72 hours.
Central to this aquatic prowess are the cloacal bursae, unique glands enveloped with papillae, minute structures facilitating oxygen diffusion from the water into the turtle’s bloodstream. Notably, the Mary River turtle stands alone in its genus, with no closely related turtle species. Its evolutionary journey diverged from other turtle lineages millions of years ago, rendering it a living relic of an ancient era.
Despite its captivating allure and biological significance, the Mary River turtle faced a perilous fate due to extensive exploitation in the pet trade during the 1960s and 1970s. Its existence in the wild remained a mystery until scientists identified and formally classified it as a distinct species in 1994, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts to preserve this remarkable creature and its unique adaptations for future generations to admire and study.

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