Geoemyda spengleri

Geoemyda spengleri (Information about this image)

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Cladus: Archelosauria
Division: Pan-Testudines
Division: Testudinata
Ordo: Testudines
Subordo: Cryptodira
Superfamilia: Testudinoidea

Familia: Geoemydidae
Subfamilia: Geoemydinae
Genus: Geoemyda
Species: Geoemyda spengleri
Name

Geoemyda spengleri Gmelin 1789:1043
Holotype: unknown
Type locality: unknown

Synonymy

Testudo spengleri Gmelin 1789:1043
Testudo tricarinata Bory 1804:308
Geoemyda spengleri Gray}} 1834: 100
Emys Spengleri Duméril & Bibron 1835:307
Geomyda tricarinata Blyth 1856:714 (in error)
Nicoria spengleri Boulenger 1889:120
Geoemyda spengleri Stejneger 1907:501
Geoemyda spengleri sinensis Fan 1931
Geoemyda spengleri spengleri Pope 1934
Geoemyda spengleri spengleri Manthey 1983
Geoemyda spengleri Xiangkui 1994
Geoemyda spengleri Manthey & Grossmann 1997:446
Geoemyda spengleri TTWG 2014

References

Gmelin, J.F. 1789. Caroli a Linné Systema naturae. 13. ed., Tom 1 Pars 3. G. E. Beer, Lipsiae. 1033-1516 pp.
Duméril, A.M.C. & Bibron, G. 1835. Erpétologie Générale ou Histoire Naturelle Complète des Reptiles. Tome Second. Paris: Roret, 680 pp. PDF. Reference page.
Reptile Database
Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (Rhodin, A.G.J., Iverson, J.B., Bour, R., Fritz, U., Georges, A., Shaffer, H.B. & van Dijk, P.P.). 2017. Turtles of the World: Annotated Checklist and Atlas of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status (8th Ed.). Chelonian Research Monographs 7: 1–292. ISBN 978-1-5323-5026-9. DOI: 10.3854/crm.7.checklist.atlas.v8.2017. Paywall. Full article (PDF). Reference page.

Vernacular names
čeština: Želva Spenglerova
Deutsch: Chinesische Zacken-Erdschildkröte, Spenglers Zacken-Erdschildkröte
English: Black-breasted leaf turtle

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.
References

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.
"Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
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.
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.
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.
"Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle Attraction | CFZ Animals". Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
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.
Beolens, Bo; Grayson, Michael; Watkins, Michael (2011). The eponym dictionary of reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.
"Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle | Our Animals | Fort Wayne Children's Zoo". 19 February 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
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.
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.
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
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.
Pierlioni, Anthony (13 July 2016). "The Vietnamese Black-breasted Leaf Turtle". Reptiles Magazine. Retrieved 19 February 2024.

"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.