Four-eyed turtle

Last updated

Four-eyed turtle
Sacalia quadriocellata.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: Sacalia
Species:
S. quadriocellata
Binomial name
Sacalia quadriocellata
Siebenrock, 1903
Synonyms [3]
  • Clemmys bealii var. quadriocellataSiebenrock, 1903
  • Clemmys quadriocellata Pope, 1934
  • Clemmys bealei quadriocellata
    Bourret, 1941
  • Clemmys beali insulensis Adler, 1962
  • Sacalia quadriocellata
    Pritchard, 1979
  • Sacalia bealei quadriocellata
    C. Ernst & R. Barbour, 1989
  • Sacalia quadriocellata quadriocellata Artner, 2003
  • Sacalia quadriocellata insularis [sic]
    Artner, 2003 ( ex errore )

The four-eyed turtle [4] (Sacalia quadriocellata) 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.

Contents

Geographic range

This species of turtle occurs in southern China and Hainan, in the Annamite Mountains and northeastern region of Laos, and in the mountains of northern and central Vietnam. [5]

Hybridization

A male of this species has successfully produced hybrids with the Golden coin turtle in captivity. Given that the "four-eye" pattern is inherited by these hybrids, it seems well possible that the mysterious Chinese false-eyed turtle (Sacalia pseudocellata) is actually based on a hybrid specimen. [6]

Description

The four-eyed turtle can grow to a carapace length of 15 cm (5.9 in). Its carapace typically ranges in color from a yellowish-tan to a deep chocolate-brown, and all turtles have a distinct pattern of lines. The turtle's head is often colorful with yellow or green eyes, yellow stripes, and a pink or red throat. Two (sometimes four) eye-like ocelli occur on the back of the head, hence the turtle's name. [7] [8]

Ecology

Four-eyed turtles occur in freshwater streams, brooks, and ponds in woodland, often mountainous habitats. As a result of their rugged surroundings, they have adapted to become adept climbers.

While their dietary preferences have not been studied in detail, it is known that they do eat a wide variety of animals and plants including crickets, worms, snails, trout chow, aquatic plants, greens and lettuces, and certain fruits. [5]

Status and conservation

The species is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. [5] It is also listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning international trade (including in parts and derivatives) is regulated. [2]

A main factor in the decline of the four-eyed turtle is trade and demand for their shells. [9] Therefore, species recovery programs are needed to ensure the future of the species. There is currently an extensive communication between zoo and conservation personnel in Vietnam whose goal is to coordinate recovery programs. The recovery programs will include legal protection for the turtles which will affect turtle trading. [10] [11]

Large quantities of turtle shell are used as an ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). For instance, Taiwan confirmed that 940 tons of hard shelled turtle bone and 200 tons of soft shell turtle bones were imported between 1992 and 1998. The plastron - the belly shell - is used in TCM prescriptions. Some TCM scientists argue that there is no difference between plastron and carapace (back shell) bone. So, if both plastron and carapace bone are utilized, the demand of TCM for freshwater turtles, including four-eyed turtles, could decrease by 50% or even more, since the carapace is larger than the plastron. [12] Current TCM research also suggests that there is no pharmaceutical difference in the effects of bone from animals produced on farms and animals captured in nature. As a result, farm production of turtle bone for TCM is likely to increase. In addition, TCM research could help find alternatives to turtle bone such as herbs.

Conservation efforts

The Asian Turtle Program has helped publicize turtle conservation all throughout Asia. [13] The ATP, a branch of Indo-Myanmar Conservation, has a regularly updated website with up-to-date news that helps spotlight the status of endangered turtles throughout Asia.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geoemydidae</span> Family of turtles

The Geoemydidae are one of the largest and most diverse families in the order Testudines (turtles), with about 70 species. The family includes the Eurasian pond and river turtles and Neotropical wood turtles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippine forest turtle</span> Species of turtle

Siebenrockiella leytensis is a species of freshwater turtle endemic to the Philippines. It is classified as critically endangered. It is known as the Philippine forest turtle, the Philippine pond turtle, the Palawan turtle, or the Leyte pond turtle. Despite the latter common name, it does not occur in the island of Leyte but is instead native to the Palawan island group. It is locally known as bakoko in Cuyonon.

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

The keeled box turtle is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is endemic to Asia.

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

The northern river terrapin is a species of riverine turtle native to Southeast Asia. It has been classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and considered extinct in much of its former range; as of 2018, the population in the wild was estimated at 100 mature individuals.

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

The Amboina box turtle or Southeast Asian box turtle is a species of Asian box turtle widely distributed across Southeast Asia. It is native to the Asian mainland from northeast India, through Bangladesh, Burma and Thailand, across Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. It is also found on the archipelagos of Indonesia and the Philippines.

<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">Golden coin turtle</span> Species of turtle

The golden coin turtle, also known commonly as the Chinese three-banded box turtle and the Chinese three-striped box turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is native to southern China. There are two recognized subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asian box turtle</span> Genus of turtles

Asian box turtles are turtles of the genus Cuora in the family Geoemydidae. About 12 extant species are recognized. The keeled box turtle is often included in this genus, or separated in the monotypic genus Pyxidea. Genus Cuora is distributed from China to Indonesia and the Philippines, throughout mainland Southeast Asia, and into northern India and Bhutan.

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

The Chinese box turtle, also known as the yellow-margined box turtle, or golden-headed turtle, is a species of Asian box turtle. Taxonomically, it is called Cuora flavomarginata.

<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">Chinese pond turtle</span> Species of turtle

Mauremys reevesii, commonly known as the Chinese pond turtle, the Chinese three-keeled pond turtle, or Reeves' turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae, a family which was formerly called Bataguridae. The species is native to East Asia.

The Fujian pond turtle is a possibly also naturally occurring intergeneric hybrid turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The Fujian pond turtle is produced in larger numbers by Chinese turtle farms as a "copy" of the golden coin turtle Cuora trifasciata. It appears to occur in China and Vietnam. Before its actual origin became known, it was listed as data deficient in the IUCN Red List.

<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.

Mauremys pritchardi is an interspecific hybrid turtle in the family Geoemydidae. M. pritchardi, described to be from Myanmar, has been found in the wild in China and Japan, and is produced to some extent in Chinese turtle farms. It was listed as data deficient in the IUCN Red List before its actual origin became known.

"Mauremys" glyphistoma is a hybrid turtle in the family Geoemydidae. Originally described as a new species supposedly endemic to Guangxi/China; it was classified as Data Deficient in the IUCN Red List.

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

<i>Sacalia</i> Genus of turtles

Sacalia is a genus of turtles in the family Geoemydidae. The genus was erected by John Edward Gray in 1870. The Sacalia is native to Southereastern China, Laos, and Vietnam. It was declared an endangered turtle species by the IUCN Red List due to its illegal trade. The sacalia has a carapace of dark-brown color that permits it to camouflage to its habitat. They are believed to select the area of a river that better matches their color.

The Chinese false-eyed turtle is a hybrid species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. It is a hybrid between a male golden coin turtle and a female four-eyed turtle. While formerly considered to be a wild type species believed to be originally from Hainan, it is now known only from pet trade type specimens.

<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.

<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.

References

  1. Fong, J.; Hoang, H.; Li, P.; McCormack, T.; Rao, D.-Q.; Shi, H.; Wang, L. (2021). "Sacalia quadriocellata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T19797A2507554. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T19797A2507554.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 247–248. doi: 10.3897/vz.57.e30895 . ISSN   1864-5755.
  4. Sometimes confused with a related and similar species, Beale's four-eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei ).
  5. 1 2 3 "Sacalia quadriocellata". Asian Turtle Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2007-05-08.
  6. Parham et al. (2001), Buskirk et al. (2005).
  7. "Chinese Four-Eyed Turtles, genus Sacalia". Hopson, Mary. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  8. "Four-eyed Turtle". Turtle Survival Alliance. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  9. Gray, Jordan (June 2017). "Species Spotlight Vol. 6". Turtle Survival Alliance. Archived from the original on 2018-07-19.
  10. "Turtle Adoption Package - for the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC), Vietnam" (PDF). Asian Turtle Program. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-01-27.
  11. "Turtle Survival Alliance" (PDF). Turtle Survival org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-01-27.
  12. "Conclusions from the Workshop on Trade in Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles in Asia". Asian Turtle Trade Working Group. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
  13. "Asian Turtle Conservation Network". Archived from the original on 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2007-05-19.