Turtle Survival

CONSERVATION NOTES
Turtle Biology and Conservation Notes
Peter Paul van Dijk
This section summarizes brief updates on turtle biology and conservation from scattered field records and observations that are unlikely to be formally
published through other outlets. Submissions can include new locality records for species, exceptional size records, noteworthy observations of feeding,
reproduction, predation or other natural history aspects, as well as items to summarize recent developments regarding conservation of tortoises and
freshwater turtles world-wide, including (but not limited to) changes in laws and regulations covering turtles, establishment of protected areas of significance
to turtles, changes in the Red List status of turtles, and proposed changes to turtle taxonomy. Text sections should be short, and where possible link to
sources of more detailed information. Submissions of items for possible inclusion can be made at any time by emailing hlowe@turtlesurvival.org.
Recently proposed changes
of scientific names of turtles
Research into turtle systematics continues to change the scientific names
of turtles. Here follows a summary of noteworthy name changes that have been
proposed since June 2014. Where possible, a Digital Object Identifier (doi)
number is given; the full citation and paper abstract are easily found by entering
the doi into any internet search engine.
Alligator Snapping Turtles: Brian Folt and
Craig Guyer argued against recognition of M.
apalachicolae as distinct from M. temminckii,
while supporting continued acceptance of M.
suwanniensis. — Folt & Guyer, 2015, doi: 10.11646/
zootaxa.3947.3.11
Golden Coin Turtles: Taxonomy of the
Asian box turtle genus Cuora was revised by
Ralph Tiedemann and co-workers, who analyzed
molecular and morphological data and concluded
that Cuora cyclornata, with its distinct subspecies
C. c. meieri, is recognizably different from C.
trifasciata. — Tiedemann et al., 2014, Salamandra
50(3): 139–146.
South American Tortoises: Storrs Olson
and Normand David argued that the linguistic
gender of the genus name Chelonoidis is masculine,
which necessitates changing the endings
of some species names, so that they become
carbonarius, denticulatus, niger, and phantasticus.
The name vicina remains unchanged. — Olson &
David, 2014, Proc.Biol.Soc.Wash. 126(4):393–394.
Asiatic Softshell Turtles: Uwe Fritz and
co-workers analyzed molecular systematics,
morphology, and biogeography of the Amyda
softshells, and recognized at least two species,
each with two subspecies. Amyda cartilaginea
cartilaginea occurs in Java and eastern Borneo,
while a new subspecies A. c. maculosa was
described from Sumatra and western Borneo.
The name ornata was revalidated for the species
of continental Southeast Asia, with the typical
subspecies A. o. ornata inhabiting the Mekong
basin and A. o. phayrei occurring in Thailand and
Myanmar. — Fritz et al., 2014, Vertebrate Zoology
64(2):229-243.
Asian Giant Softshells and Broad-shelled
Snakeneck Turtle: Raymond Hoser named two
new Pelochelys from India and Kalimantan, as
well as a new species and subspecies split out
from Chelodina (Macrochelodina) expansa, plus
a new subgenus for these three. For various reasons
it appears prudent not to use these names
for now. — Hoser, 2014a, Australasian Journal of
Herpetology (AJH) 22:60–64; Hoser, 2014b, AJH
24:3–11.
Seychelles Mud Turtle: After Stuckas,
Gemel & Fritz synonymized Pelusios seychellensis
under P. castaneus, Roger Bour carried out
further analysis and argued that the Seychelles
population merits taxonomic recognition at least
at subspecies level, as Pelusios castaneus seychellensis.
— Stuckas et al, 2013, doi: 10.1371/journal.
pone.0057116; Bour, 2013, Chéloniens 29:27–41.
Turtle Extinctions: Anders Rhodin and
colleagues published a checklist of turtles
known to have existed and gone extinct in the
Pleistocene and Holocene. This period, from
+/-2.6 million years ago, is when humanity arose
and spread across the planet. Of the 84 extinct
chelonians, 69 are tortoises, indicating the severe
impact that humans had on their survival.
Rhodin et al., 2015, doi: 10.3854/crm.5.000e.
fossil.checklist.v1.2015
Conservation Notes
from the field
Pinzón Tortoise (Chelonoidis [niger] duncanensis):
A group of juveniles of this species was
discovered in the wild on Pinzón Island in the
Galapagos, the first in-situ born tortoises in over
100 years. They emerged from natural nests, and
survived, right in the first year after a comprehensive
rat eradication program in 2012 treated
the entire island of Pinzón (1,815 hectares). The
Pinzón Tortoise survives on the island with
about 100 old residents, as well as over 400 surviving
reintroduced headstarted animals from
annual egg collection followed by incubation
and rearing to rat-proof size at the conservation
center on Santa Cruz. http://www.galapagos.
org/blog/pinzon-tortoise-survey-part2/
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
The two Madagascar tortoises Pyxis
arachnoides and Pyxis planicauda, and the
Pacific Pond Turtle (Emys (Actinemys) marmorata
and E.(A). pallida), are under consideration
by the US Fish and Wildlife Service
for possible inclusion in the Endangered
Species Act. Docket Nos. FWS–HQ–ES–
2014–0012 and FWS–HQ–ES–2014–0013.
The Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra
serpentina) and the North American softshell
turtles (genus Apalone: Florida Softshell
A. ferox, Smooth Softshell A. mutica, and
Spiny Softshell A. spinifera) are under consideration
for inclusion in CITES Appendix
III (United States). Docket No. FWS–HQ–
ES–2013–0052. for any of these species
In New Jersey, legislation is moving through
the New Jersey Congress to permanently close
the fishery for Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys
terrapin). New Jersey, 216th Legislature,
Senate Bill S2615, House Bill A3932.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 15 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org