Elusor macrurus

Also known as the Mary River turtle, this large freshwater species is distinguished by a long tail (up to the length of its shell in juveniles), a broad head, and a shell that often hosts algae growth, giving individuals a distinctive greenish appearance. Notably, it can respire through specialized tissue in its cloaca, allowing it to remain submerged for extended periods without surfacing to breathe. As an omnivore feeding on aquatic plants, fruit, and invertebrates, it contributes to nutrient cycling and vegetation control within its river habitat.

Elusor macrurus is endemic to the Mary River catchment in southeastern Queensland, Australia, where it inhabits permanent rivers and streams with clear, flowing water and rocky or sandy substrates suitable for basking and nesting.

The species faces multiple ongoing pressures. Dam construction and water regulation alter natural flow regimes and inundate nesting and foraging habitat. Sand and gravel extraction degrades riverbed structure critical to the species' bottom-dwelling lifestyle.

Cattle grazing and trampling damage riverbank nesting sites, while invasive plant species alter bank stability and habitat structure. Agricultural runoff introduces pollutants that affect water quality throughout the catchment.

Conservation efforts include nest protection programs to guard eggs from predation by introduced species, habitat restoration along riverbanks, and research monitoring population demographics and threats within the catchment. Community and landholder engagement initiatives have also been developed to reduce grazing impacts near nesting areas.

Given its restricted single-catchment range and the cumulative, ongoing nature of threats affecting both adult habitat and nesting success, the species remains vulnerable to further decline. Long-term persistence depends on sustained habitat protection and continued management of threats affecting reproductive success, though the current population trend remains unknown.

Endemic to the Mary River system in southeastern Queensland, Australia, inhabiting flowing sections of the river with rocky substrates and sandy banks. Requires specific water temperatures and flow conditions, with females nesting on sandy riverbanks during the dry season.