Podocnemis expansa Genome sequencing and assembly. Podocnemis expansa

The Arrau turtle (Podocnemis expansa), also known as the giant South American river turtle is the largest of the side-neck turtles (Pleurodira) and the largest freshwater turtle in Latin America. These turtles can reach up to 200 pounds and a shell length up to 3.5 feet. Arrau turtles are found in the Amazon, Orinoco and Essequibo basins in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Guyana. The species is one of the few turtles that exhibits communal egg-laying.