MEE with MEP plastron?

[Haydar Kurniawan]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and just got my first tortoise..

I live in Java, Indonesia, recently adopt a what supposed to be an MEE.. but from what I've read, the plastron match with MEP characteristic (pectoral scute meet at center), and this is the first I've seen with that plastron since I'm start browsing locally for Manouria months ago, the seller said it's an CB from breeder in Sumatra..

the tortoise is about 6inch or 17cm, with greenish-brown color commonly found on MEE, as you can see, the plastron color is also different from commonly MEE, as it's just plain with less/no motif/gradient.. is there any suggestion about that plastron, could it be just individual variant?

 

[wellington]

@Yvonne G

 

[Yvonne G]

It might be that the breeder has both species and keeps them together, making this an intergrade, but from the looks of it, it's an Mep.

 

[Haydar Kurniawan]

thanks for you reply.. it could be intergrade, but MEP isn't native to Indonesia.. yes, there's some in circulation, but very small number, and afaik those from import only.. the price gap between MEP and MEE can go up to 10X for hatchling.. if this indeed intergrade CB, the breeder could be sorted them.. keep the black one for higher price, and let the one with common MEE color go as normal price..

 

[Haydar Kurniawan]

while I'm scrolling for #manouriaemys hashtag in Instagram, I stumble with this images from 2018.. an Emys found by some park ranger in the wild, in Bukit-Tigapuluh national park, Riau - Sumatra, and it have the same plastron as my Emys, the coloration seem similar too..

so, I think this plastron indeed a natural variation of MEE, but probably in very low number..

here's the instagram link:

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