[2] The specific name, trinacris, is from the Greek word Trinacria, meaning "three-pointed", the earliest known name for the island of Sicily.

This is because of a disruption in the gene flow caused by human activities like industrialization.

Since there are obstacles in the way like roads and buildings, migrating to different groups is more difficult for the turtles.

E. trinacris differs from E. orbicularis by its distinct mitochondrial DNA.

[3] The preferred habitat of E. trinacris is freshwater in ponds, lakes, rivers, and swamps.