Ecomorphological correlates of microhabitat selection in two sympatric Asian Box Turtle species (Geoemydidae: Cuora)

Abstract

Closely related species that co-occur in homogeneous environments often possess differing morphologies, which can result in niche divergence that minimizes interspecific competition. In the present study, we examined the relationship between ecomorphological characteristics and microhabitat selection of two Asian box turtle species, the Keeled Box Turtle (Cuora mouhotii (Gray, 1862)) and the Indochinese Box Turtle (Cuora galbinifrons Bourret, 1940), that have sympatric distributions in the rainforest of Hainan, People’s Republic of China. We found that C. mouhotii had a relatively flat shell and preferred microhabitats with rock crevices and steep slopes in the field, whereas C. galbinifrons had a domed shell and was restricted to microhabitats of deciduous leaves under bamboo growing on gentle slopes. We conclude that morphological divergence allows the two Cuora spp. to use different microhabitats and, thereby, to successfully co-occur.

Habitat Use and Activity Patterns of a Terrestrial Turtle (Rhinoclemmys rubida perixantha) in a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest

“…The body plan of terrestrial forest turtles restricts them from occupying microhabitats immediately above the surface. Some terrestrial species have become specialized to particular microhabitats, such as the crevice-dwelling Pancake Tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri), but small forestdwelling turtles tend to be generalists with respect to microhabitats at the surface (Xia et al 1983;Lue and Chen 1999;Vogt et al 2009;Xiao et al 2017). Structural characteristics on the SDTF forest floor include herbaceous vegetation, vines, shrubs, woody debris, leaf litter, burrows, trees (included fallen trees), or rocky outcrops.…”

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

“…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.…”

“…obs). In Hainan Province, China, where a native population of C. galbinifrons resides, the average highest temperature is 28°C (Xiao, Wang, Shi et al ., ); therefore, temperatures in enclosures should rarely exceed 32°C. In human care, populations of C. galbinifrons and C. bourreti are regularly cooled to 7–10°C (Borek et al ., ; Leone, ; L. Augustine & N. Haislip, pers.…”