Cuora flavomarginata (Gray 1863) – Yellow-Margined Box Turtle

Abstract

The yellow-margined box turtle, Cuora flavomarginata, (Family Geoemydidae), is a small species (carapace length to 190 mm), that occurs in eastern and southern continental China, Taiwan, and the southern Ryukyus of Japan. The species is mainly terrestrial and is found in and around primary and dense secondary forests, feeding on both small animals and plant materials, such as insects, earthworms, and berries. Clutch size usually ranges from one to four, and the female tends to be larger in body mass than the male, sometimes exceeding 1000 g. The yellow-margined box turtle is threatened by deforestation in its natural habitat, and large numbers have been exploited for food and traditional Chinese medicine and also exported from continental China for pets. This exploitation has caused the decline of many populations of this turtle. Capture and trade in Japanese and Taiwanese populations are currently regulated by national laws, but habitat destruction progresses in both countries. There is thus urgency that areas of habitat be set aside and protected. In order to devise effective conservation measures, it is also important to undertake research on life history and population status of the species; information on these aspects is insufficient, especially for the non-Taiwanese populations. distribution.-China (Continental), China (Taiwan), Japan. Distributed on Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima islands of the southern Ryukyu Archipelago (Japan), Taiwan, and Minjiang, Fuchun, and Yangtze River drainages of eastern continental China. sYnonYmY.-Cistoclemmys flavomarginata Gray 1863, Cuora flavomarginata, Terrapene flavomarginata, Cyclemys flavomarginata, Geoemyda flavomarginata, Cyclemys flavomarginata sinensis Hsü 1930, Terrapene culturalia Yeh 1961. subspecies.-Two currently recognized by us: Cuora flavomarginata flavomarginata (Common Yellow-Margined Box Turtle) (synonymy: Cyclemys flavomarginata flavomarginata, Cuora flavomarginata flavomarginata, Cistoclemmys flavomarginata flavomarginata, Cyclemys flavomarginata sinensis, Cuora flavomarginata sinensis, Cistoclemmys flavomarginata sinensis) and Cuora flavomarginata evelynae (Ryukyu Yellow-Margined Box Turtle) (synonymy: Cuora evelynae Ernst and Lovich 1990, Cistoclemmys flavomarginata evelynae). status.-IUCN 2009 Red List: Endangered (EN A1cd+2cd) (assessed 2000); CITES: Appendix II (as Cuora spp.). Figure 1. Cuora flavomarginata flavomarginata, adult female from Nantou, central Taiwan. Photo by Tien-Hsi Chen. 035.2 Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises • Chelonian Research Monographs, No. 5

Turtles of the World: Annotated Checklist and Atlas of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status (8th Ed.)

“…11:9. Cuora flavomarginata evelynae: In previous checklists we had overlooked that Ota et al (2009) had transferred evelynae back to subspecies status under Cuora flavomarginata, but we now follow them here.…”

Turtles of the World, 2011 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status

“…9. Cuora flavomarginata evelynae: In previous checklists we had overlooked that Ota et al (2009) had transferred evelynae back to subspecies status under Cuora flavomarginata, but we now follow them here.…”

Husbandry and reproduction of the Indochinese box turtle Cuora galbinifrons, Bourret's box turtle Cuora bourreti and Southern Vietnam box turtle Cuora picturata in North America

“…Furthermore, these species, and a few others within the genus, differ from most in that they show a preference for nesting within the leaf‐litter layer (Wang, Gong et al ., ; L. Augustine & N. Haislip, pers. obs), rather than excavating and constructing the typical underground nest as observed in many other chelonians, including other Cuora (Ota et al ., ). Live plants can be used to create hiding spots and shade; however, plants must be protected as these box turtles are omnivores and may consume the vegetation (Table ).…”

“…Augustine & N. Haislip, pers. obs), rather than excavating and constructing the typical underground nest as observed in many other chelonians, including other Cuora (Ota et al, 2009). Live plants can be used to create hiding spots and shade; however, plants must be protected as these box turtles are omnivores and may consume the vegetation (Table 1).…”

“…These structures provide cool refugia in the heat of summer and warm hibernacula in winter. In the wild, many semi‐terrestrial Cuora species spend the majority of their time in the leaf litter (Ota et al ., ) and the microhabitat of C. galbinifrons is deciduous leaf litter under dense bamboo (Wang, ; Xiao, Wang, Shi et al ., ). Therefore, we recommend that a thick layer of leaves is provided to both aid in reducing stress and simulate a natural environment.…”