Black-breasted leaf turtle

Last updated

Contents

Black-breasted leaf turtle
Stavenn Geoemyda spengleri.jpg
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Superfamily: Testudinoidea
Family: Geoemydidae
Genus: Geoemyda
Species:
G. spengleri
Binomial name
Geoemyda spengleri
(Gmelin, 1789)
Synonyms [3]
  • Testudo spengleri
    Gmelin, 1789
  • Emys spengleri
    — Schweigger, 1812
  • Geoemyda spengleri
    — Gray, 1834
  • Clemmys (Clemmys) spengleri
    — Fitzinger, 1835
  • Nicoria spengleri
    — Gray, 1856
  • Geomyda spengleri
    — Mell, 1929
  • Geoemyda spengleri sinensis
    Fan, 1931
  • Geoemyda spengleri spengleri
    — Pope, 1934 [4]

The Black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda spengleri), [5] also commonly called the Vietnamese leaf turtle or the black-breasted hill turtle, a species of turtle (Order Testudines). The species is listed as one of the smallest turtle species in the world. [6] The species is endemic to Southeast Asia and is listed as endangered as of July 16, 2018. [7]

Classification

The Black-breasted leaf turtle is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae (formerly called Bataguridae).   

Etymology

The specific name, spengleri, is in honor of Danish naturalist Lorenz Spengler. [8]

Characteristics

They are one of the smallest turtle species weighing from 90 to 150 grams [9] and can be recognized for its black markings among the plastron while its carapace resembles a leaf. Much is not known about the behavior of G. spengleri but it is said they are solitary and terrestrial animals. [9] They also have the ability to move their eyes independently to observe their surroundings. [9] These turtles have an estimated lifespan of 20–24 years. [7] [6]

Geographic Range

G. spengleri is found in the montane forests of China, Vietnam [7] and Laos. [10] They can be found in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan through China to the Quang Nam Province of Vietnam. [10] They are also found in non-native regions as a result of trade or release. [11] G. spengleri occurrences have been recorded at high and mid elevations of 1000 meters and 500 meters but there is no set geographical distribution as result of limited surveying. [6] [11] [7]

Habitat

G. spengleri inhabits unfragmented forests and woodlands near shallow freshwater streams. [12] [7] It's suitable habitats consist of subtropical, tropical moist montane and wetland forests. [13] Adult G. spengleri reside under canopies or shade in suitable temperatures as low as 40 °F to 90 °F. [14] They need sufficient habitat to nest in open areas. [7]

Diet

While the feeding behaviors have not been observed in the wild, it is found that G. spengleri turtles are omnivores and have indicated a feeding diet of snails, leaves, fruits and insects through fecal substance. [7] They may also feed on crustaceans. [6] In captivity, this species may feed on small invertebrates and meats but prefer live prey such as earthworms, crickets, slugs and pill bugs. [14]

Reproduction

Sexual dimorphism plastral kinesis is present in mature G. spengleri where females have a flexible connection between carapace and hypoplastron whereas males have a bony structure. [12] Reproduction in the wild has not been recorded but in captivity, females tend to lay 1-2 eggs per clutch. [6]

Predation

Black-breasted leaf turtle can evade predation through the camouflage of its carapace. [6] G. spengleri 's known predators consist of anthropogenic causes, wild boar, hunting dogs and civets. [7] [10]

Endangerment

Through locality samples from the three Chinese provinces Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan, the G. spengleri is found to be one of the surviving species due to its secretive terrestrial mode of life and small size. They are seen going extinct due to overexploitation and large-scale habitat alteration such as logging. They are also used in pet trade and trade for medicinal uses. A large quantity of these turtles are being sold in markets of Guangdong, Guanxi and Hainan provinces in China and Hong Kong causing a decline of about 70% in G. spengleri populations. [7]

The G. spengleri is still present in many regions where other chelonian species are extinct or near extinct.

Conservation efforts

The IUCN has listed G. spengleri as an endangered species as well as being listed under second grade of China's Nation's Top Priority under Protected Wild Animals. [7] However, the species is not protected under Vietnam's protection regulations.

G. spengleri can be found in protected zoos such as Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, [6] Cincinnati Zoo, [15] Fort Wayne's Zoo [9] and several others in the United States of America.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oldham's leaf turtle</span> Species of turtle

Oldham's leaf turtle is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three-striped roofed turtle</span> Species of turtle

The three-striped roofed turtle is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is endemic to South Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assam roofed turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Assam roofed turtle or Sylhet roofed turtle is a turtle species of the family Geoemydidae found in the Brahmaputra-Meghna drainage in India (Assam) and parts of eastern Bangladesh. It was formerly placed in the genus Batagur and the defunct genus Kachuga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wattle-necked softshell turtle</span> Species of turtle

The wattle-necked softshell turtle, also commonly known as Steindachner's soft-shelled turtle, is an endangered Asian species of softshell turtle in the family Trionychidae. The species is the only member of the genus Palea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-headed temple turtle</span> Species of turtle

The yellow-headed temple turtle is a large species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is native to Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vietnamese pond turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Vietnamese pond turtle or Annam leaf turtle is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Four-eyed turtle</span> Species of turtle

The four-eyed turtle is a reptile of the order Testudines. Its name refers to two bright yellow or green spots that occur on the back of its head that can look like another pair of eyes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-necked pond turtle</span> Species of turtle

The red-necked pond turtle is a species of turtles in the family Geoemydidae endemic to China. It is most likely restricted to Guangxi and Guangdong provinces, although pre-historic skull remains have been found in northern Vietnam and Hainan. Other common names include Kwangtung river turtle and black-necked pond turtle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zhou's box turtle</span> Species of turtle

Zhou's box turtle is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is apparently endemic to China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle or Ryukyu leaf turtle is a species of turtles in the family Geoemydidae endemic to the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. In 1975, the species was designated a National Natural Monument of Japan. It grows to about 5–6 inches long. In captivity, it feeds on worms, snails, insects, and fruit. Due to its rarity and very attractive appearance, this species is highly coveted by turtle collectors worldwide.

The Sulawesi forest turtle is a critically endangered species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is monotypic within the genus Leucocephalon. It is endemic to Sulawesi in Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow pond turtle</span> Species of turtle

The yellow pond turtle, is a medium-sized, semiaquatic turtle in the family Geoemydidae. This species has a characteristic broad yellow stripe extending behind the eye and down the neck; the carapace ranges in color from grayish brown to brown, and the plastron is yellow or orange with black blotches along the outer edges. It is native to East Asia, ranging from central Vietnam and Laos, north through the coastal provinces of south and central China, with insular populations known from Taiwan, Hainan and the Ryukyu Islands. Although populations in the southern Ryukyus are thought to be native, populations in the northern and central Ryukyus, as well as central Japan, are believed to have been introduced as a result of imports from Taiwan.

Beale's eyed turtle is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is endemic to China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black marsh turtle</span> Species of turtle

Siebenrockiella crassicollis is a freshwater turtle endemic to Southeast Asia. It is one of two species classified under the genus Siebenrockiella in the family Geoemydidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bourret's box turtle</span> Species of turtle

Bourret's box turtle, also known commonly as the central Vietnamese flowerback box turtle and the Indochinese box turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia.

<i>Cyclemys</i> Genus of turtles

Cyclemys is a genus of freshwater turtles, commonly referred to as Asian leaf turtles, from the family Geoemydidae. The genus occurs throughout Southeast and South Asia, and currently contains seven species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balkan terrapin</span> Species of turtle

The Balkan terrapin or western Caspian terrapin is a species of terrapin in the family Geoemydidae. It is found in the eastern Mediterranean region. While technically omnivorous, the terrapins are known to prefer meat. They can grow to 25 cm in carapace length, although hatchlings are usually only 3 to 4 cm in length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assam leaf turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Assam leaf turtle is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is native to India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western black-bridged leaf turtle</span> Species of turtle

The western black-bridged leaf turtle is a species of Asian leaf turtle found in southern Indochina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern black-bridged leaf turtle</span> Species of turtle

The eastern black-bridged leaf turtle is a species of Asian leaf turtles found in southern Indochina.

References

  1. ↑ Fong, J.; Hoang, H.; Li, P.; McCormack, T.; Rao, D.-Q.; Timmins, R.J.; Wang, L. (2020). "Geoemyda spengleri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T39552A2929166. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39552A2929166.en . Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  2. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  3. ↑ Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 222–223. doi: 10.3897/vz.57.e30895 . ISSN   1864-5755. S2CID   87809001.
  4. ↑ Gong, Shiping; Shi, Haitao; Mo, Yunming; Auer, Markus; Vargas-Ramirez, Mario; K. Hundsdörfer, Anna; Fritz, Uwe (2009). "Phylogeography of the endangered black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) and conservation implications for other chelonians". Amphibia-Reptilia. 30 (1): 57–62. doi: 10.1163/156853809787392711 . Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  5. ↑ Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (31 October 2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 149–368. doi: 10.3897/vz.57.e30895 . ISSN   2625-8498.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle Attraction | CFZ Animals". Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 IUCN (16 July 2018). Geoemyda spengleri: Fong, J., Hoang, H., Li, P., McCormack, T., Rao, D.-Q., Timmins, R.J. & Wang, L.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39552A2929166 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2020-2.rlts.t39552a2929166.en.
  8. ↑ Beolens, Bo; Grayson, Michael; Watkins, Michael (2011). The eponym dictionary of reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle | Our Animals | Fort Wayne Children's Zoo". 19 February 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 Stuart, Bryan L.; Hallam, Chris D.; Sayavong, Sengphachanh; Nanthavong, Chanthalaphone; Sayaleng, Sengmany; Vongsa, Outhai; Robichaud, William G. (July 2011). "Two Additions to the Turtle Fauna of Laos". Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 10 (1): 113–116. doi:10.2744/CCB-0856.1. ISSN   1071-8443.
  11. 1 2 Dawson, Jeffrey; Gaillard, Daniel; Gong, Shiping; Lin, Liu; McCormack, Timothy; Nanthavong, Chanthalaphone; Tai Nguyen, Thang; Quang Nguyen, Truong; Pham, Van Thong (August 2022). Geographical and elevational distributions of the Black-breasted Leaf Turtle, Geoemyda spengleri. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. pp. 2–8.
  12. 1 2 Yasukawa, Y. (2010, December 14). Geoemyda spengleri (Gmelin 1789) – black-breasted leaf ... Geoemyda spengleri (Gmelin 1789) – Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle. https://iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_047_spengleri_v1_2010.pdf
  13. ↑ IUCN (16 July 2018). Geoemyda spengleri: Fong, J., Hoang, H., Li, P., McCormack, T., Rao, D.-Q., Timmins, R.J. & Wang, L.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39552A2929166 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2020-2.rlts.t39552a2929166.en.
  14. 1 2 Pierlioni, Anthony (13 July 2016). "The Vietnamese Black-breasted Leaf Turtle". Reptiles Magazine. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  15. ↑ "Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle". Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
 7.^Gong, S., Shi, H., Mo, Y., Auer, M., Vargas-Ramírez, M., Hundsdörfer, A. K., & Fritz, U. (2009). Phylogeography of the endangered black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) and conservation implications for other chelonians. Amphibia-Reptilia, 30(1), 57-62.
 8.^Dawson, Jeffrey E., et al. "Geographical and elevational distributions of the Black-breasted Leaf Turtle, Geoemyda spengleri (Gmelin, 1789)(Testudines: Geoemydidae)." Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 16.1 (2022): 235-244.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.