KATHMANDU, KOMPAS.com – A turtle in gold was found on Nepal, and is considered as incarnation Lord Vishnu in religious mythology Hindu.
Daily Mail on Wednesday (19/8/2020) reported that the turtle got a golden color from a rare genetic mutation that changed its pigmentation.
It is believed that this type of turtle has only been found five times around the world.
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Latin named species Lissemys punctata andersoni this was first discovered in Nepal.
Kamal Devkota, a reptile expert who documented the discovery, explained that reptiles have a deep spiritual meaning.
“Not only are the animals golden in color, but the turtle as a whole has significant religious and cultural value in Nepal,” he explained.
“It is believed that Lord Vishnu took the form of a tortoise to save the universe from destruction in his incarnation.”
“In Hindu mythology, the top shell of the tortoise shows the sky and the bottom shell shows the earth. “
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Turtles believed to be the embodiment of Lord Vishnu are known as Kurma, and are currently worshiped at a number of temples in India.
Meanwhile, this turtle in Nepal can be golden because of its conditions chromatic leucism, which is characterized by a loss of color pigmentation.
Devkota of the Nepal Toxinological Association said, “This is my first discovery of this unusual turtle color.”
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“This is chromatic leucism first in Nepal on this tortoise, Lissemys punctata andersoni, and only fifth in species worldwide. “
“So, we can say this is an unusual discovery!” he said quoted from Daily Mail.
After being documented, the turtle was immediately released into the wild, although its survival would be more difficult than other tortoises.
“Color deviation is very rare because affected individuals may be disadvantaged in their environment,” Devkota added.
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“For example, Lissemys punctata normal ones are much better camouflaged in the cloudy, green, and watery environments that the species frequent. “
“Genetically driven conditions like chromatic leucism will be exposed to negative selective pressure that is intense in nature. “
“But such deviant animals are highly valued in the pet trade.”
This tortoise was found in Dhanushadham Municipality, part of Nepal’s Dhanusha District.
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