Herbert Meier hunted and exploited with great intensity. All river turtles form a major constituent in the diet of local people and are therefore threatened at least with regard to their population densities long-term. Besides continued hunting for all age groups of these animals, their eggs are collected on a large scale. People living on the banks of the Brazo Casiquiare often have stock of Peltocephalus dumerilianus, but almost as frequently of Podocnemis erythrocephala of all sizes, including juveniles. Large numbers of Peltocephalus dumerilianus are turned into feasts, particularly around New Year. The eggs of Podocnemis erythrocephala, which may be very common in places, are often smoked over open fire as a means of preservation. At present, these species are propagated in captivity only as an exception. The consequence of this is that we know very little about the reproductive biology of these turtles. Sufficient numbers of specimens of both sexes are rarely available for the composition breeding groups. The restrictive export bans of the countries of origin are a major obstacle in this regard, although outlawing the trade in these species in general must be appreciated. It would be both helpful and desirable, however, if exceptions were made for the serious enthusiast. Acknowledgements Particular thanks are due to Ingo Pauler and Dr. Michael Reimann for their kind loaning of various specimens for the purpose of forming breeding colonies. References Barrio-Amorós, C. & Í. Narbaiza (2008): Turtles of the Venezuelan Estado Amazonas. – Radiata (English edition), Lingenfeld, 17 (1): 2-19. Castaño-Mora, O. V., P. A. Galvis-Peñuela & J. G. Molano (2003): Reproductive ecology of Podocnemis erythrocephala (Testudines: Podocnemididae) in the lower Inirida River, Colombia. – Chel. Cons. Biol., Lunenburg, 4 (3): 664-670. Ferreira, P.D.J., A. Malvasio & O. S. Guimarāes (2003): Influence of geological factors on reproductive aspects of Podocnemis unifilis (Testudines, Pelomedusidae) on the Javaes River, Arraguaia National Park, Brazil – Chel. Cons. Biol., Lunenburg, 4 (3): 626-634. Hofmeyr, M. D. (2004): Egg Production in Chersina angulata: An Unusual Pattern in a Mediterranean Climate. – J. Herpetol., St. Louis, 38 (2): 172-179. Knaack, J. (2003): Schienenschildkröten Teil 2. Das Schutzprojekt und dessen Ergebnisse sowie das Verhalten der Schlüpflinge von Podocnemis expansa und P. unifilis im Río Iténez. – Das Aquarium, Bornheim, 410: 61-66. — (2004): Bemerkungen zur aktuellen Situation der Schienenschildkröten Podocnemis expansa und Podocnemis unifilis in Bolivien. – Reptilia, Münster, 9 (4): 56-64. Pritchard, P.C.H. & P. Trebbau (1984): The Turtles of Venezuela. – Ithaca (Soc. Study Amph. Rep.), 403 pp. Shanbhag, B. A. (2003): Reproductive strategies in the lizard Calotes versicolor. – Current science, Bangalore, 84 (5): 646- 652. Author & Photographs Herbert Meier Fliederweg 8 90617 Puschendorf Germany E-Mail: h.meier@online.de 16 RADIATA 17 (3), 2008
The Matamata, Chelus fimbriata Herbert Meier & Ingo Schaefer The Matamata, Chelus fimbriata (Schneider, 1783). Field Observations, Husbandry and Breeding Preface A detailed account on Chelus fimbriata was already published in RADIATA in 2003 (Meier & Schaefer 2003a, b). Since then, many new observations have been made. We have therefore taken the mentioned papers and complemented them with novel realizations. Although recent years saw an increase in oviposition events (pers. comms. Zwartepoorte 2005, 2006, 2007, Bielan 2006), hatching rates have remained low. Particularly pleasing are the continued breeding results achieved by Zwartepoorte at the Rotterdam Zoo, as these are based on Schaefer’s specimens that used to be reproducing in his care since 1986. Introduction Despite the fact that Chelus fimbriata ranks amongst the most popular turtle species, many details of its natural history are still unknown. Owing to its unique and bizarre appearance it is widely recognized and not only by enthusiasts and specialists. Nevertheless it is rather rarely seen in human care because the size of the tank required for its proper keeping easily exceeds what can be set up in a normal living room. While it may be kept with relative ease, only a few enthusiasts have so far managed to successfully propagate this species. And nobody seems to know as yet what motivates it to reproduce. The present authors have been taking an interest in Chelus fimbriata for many years, Fig. 1. Portrait of a semiadult matamata from the Casiquiare River. RADIATA 17 (3), 2008 17
