Biology
provided by Arkive
Due to its rarity and only relatively recent rediscovery, virtually nothing is known about this species in the wild (2). Captive individuals are apparently omnivorous, feeding on bananas, strawberries, romaine lettuce, earthworms and newborn mice (2), but hunters have reported that vegetation, fruit, and mushrooms constitute the bulk of the diet in the wild (6).
Conservation
provided by Arkive
The Arakan forest turtle is listed as a Protected Species in the Protection of Wildlife, Wild Plants and Conservation of Natural Areas Law of Myanmar, which was enacted in 1994. Furthermore, two large areas in the Arakan Yoma Hill range, Thanlwe-ma-e-chaung and Taungup Pass/Thandwe-chaung, have been proposed for official protected status. These areas are found just south of known Arakan forest turtle inhabited zones and possess similar habitat types as those currently used by the species (5). This turtle may already occur in the vicinity of these proposed protected areas, although no records exist, or could potentially be introduced to the regions should they be given protected status. Good numbers of this species exist in captivity, where attempts are being made to better understand its biology, which could help to guide effective conservation plans or possibly even lead to captive breeding and reintroduction programmes in the future (4). In the meantime, captive stock acts as an insurance population that buffers against total extinction. Nevertheless, it is imperative that every effort is now made to protect this little-known species, which managed to elude detection for so long, if we are to prevent it from disappearing from the wild forever.
Description
provided by Arkive
The Arakan forest turtle was long thought to be extinct, having last been seen in 1908, until it was rediscovered in 1994 when a few specimens were spotted in a Chinese food market (4). The carapace of this medium-sized turtle is light brown, with some individuals exhibiting black mottling or a black border, and the shell edge is distinctly serrated at the back (2) (5). The yellow to tan coloured plastron is marked with dark brown to black blotches or radiating streaks on each scute (2) (5). The head is uniformly grey to brown, the soft skin of the neck, limbs and tail is pale yellowish-brown, while the large scales on the legs are nearly black (2) (5). The claws are large and strong, with half-webbed toes on the forelimbs, but only basal webbing on the hindlimbs (5).
Habitat
provided by Arkive
This species occurs in evergreen, deciduous and bamboo forests, usually near permanent and intermittent streams (6).
Range
provided by Arkive
Endemic to the Arakan Yoma Hill range of western Myanmar (6).
Status
provided by Arkive
Classified as Critically Endangered (CR A2cd, B1+2c) on the IUCN Red List 2004 (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).
Threats
provided by Arkive
The greatest threat thought to face the Arakan forest turtle is over-collection from the wild, both for local consumption and commercial export to the Asian food markets, particularly those of China and Thailand (5) (7). Not only are these turtles consumed, but their shells are also sold for traditional medicinal use (5). Hunting usually involves using trained dogs to search out the turtles, but limited burning of bamboo forests to intercept and capture fleeing turtles also takes place. Fortunately, the market demand for this species is relatively low and current harvesting levels are thought to be minimal. Extensive tracts of habitat remain and the human population density of the region is amongst the lowest in Southeast Asia (6). Nevertheless, habitat loss and degradation may represent additional threats, due to logging operations, road construction, forest clearance for agriculture, large-scale bamboo harvesting for a proposed paper mill, and uncontrolled forest fires (5) (6). Furthermore, this turtle's restricted geographic range, low population density, late onset of sexual maturity and low reproductive output render it vulnerable to overexploitation (5) (6). These combined threats have left the species in grave danger of extinction, so much so that it was officially recognised in 2003 as one of the world's top 25 most endangered turtles (4).
Distribution
provided by ReptileDB
Continent: Asia
Distribution: Myanmar (= Burma) (hills in Arakan)
Type locality: "Arakan," Myanmar (= Burma); restricted to "Akyab, near Arakan," Myanmar (= Burma), by Smith 1931:95.
Arakan forest turtle
provided by wikipedia EN
The Arakan forest turtle (Heosemys depressa) is a critically endangered turtle species native to the Arakan Hills in western Myanmar[1] and the bordering Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.[3] The Arakan forest turtle is a semiterrestrial turtle, meaning it can survive in aquatic as well as terrestrial habitats, but adults prefer living in terrestrial habitats.
Taxonomy
Geoëmyda depressa was the scientific name proposed by Anderson in 1875 who described a zoological specimen collected in Arakan.[4]
Characteristics
The Arakan forest turtle has 18 plastral annuli, a carapace length of 22 cm (8.7 in) and weighs 1.3 kg (2.9 lb).
Distribution and habitat
In 2009, the Arakan forest turtles was discovered in Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range in Myanmar. The scientific team also labeled the area as a good prospective place to focus conservation efforts for the turtle, despite the fact that locals do occasionally hunt and eat them. Even with those activities, this protected area is difficult to access and lacks any human settlement, making any human interference with the turtle merely opportunistic. No large-scale commercial project hunts the turtle, nor would there be a demand for one, since the turtle is too difficult to find compared to the little profit there is for doing so. Furthermore, the area even has a low risk of being exploited for natural resources.[5]
In 2015, a potential population was discovered during a non-governmental organization's citizen science project, suggesting a population of the Arakan turtle may reside in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.[6]
Behaviour and ecology
The Arakan forest turtle is active at night and increases its activity during the early wet season. Local hunters found eggs in June and July when skinning female specimens, possibly revealing the reproductive system and cycle of the species.[5] It remains dormant the majority of the time and hides in leaves and debris. It is an omnivore, feeding on both animals and plants. Although it is considered a relatively reserved animal for the majority of its daily activity, it is aggressive when it comes to eating insects, worms, and fish. It also consumes fruit that falls to the forest floor.[7]
Threats
Arakan forest turtles are being traded by animal pet dealers in China, who catch them in western Myanmar. In 2003, researchers took samples for research from nine Arakan forest turtles that had been imported to the Czech Republic to be kept in a private collection.[8]
Conservation
In captivity
As of 2009, a small number of turtles were present in captivity, and as of 2009, only the Zoo Atlanta has successfully bred the turtles in captivity.[9]
References
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^ a b c d Platt, K.; Rahman, S.C.; Horne, B.D.; Praschag, P. (2020). "Heosemys depressa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T39596A2929864. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39596A2929864.en. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
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^ Uwe, F. & Havaš, P. (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 149–368.
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^ Rahman, S. C.; Rashid, S. M. A.; Datta, R. & Roy, C. J. (2015). "Status, exploitation, and conservation of freshwater turtles and tortoises in Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh". Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 14 (2): 130–135. doi:10.2744/CCB-1146.1.
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^ Anderson, J. (1875). "Description of some new Asiatic mammals and Chelonia". The Annals and Magazine of Natural History; Zoology, Botany, and Geology. 4. 16 (9): 282–285.
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^ a b Platt, S. G.; Myo, K. M.; Ko, W. K.; Maung, A.; Rainwater, T. R. (2010). "Field observations and conservation of Heosemys depressa in the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range of western Myanmar" (PDF). Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 9 (1): 114–119. doi:10.2744/CCB-0813.1.
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^ "Locals lead scientists to new population of near-extinct reptile". Mongabay Environmental News. 2015. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
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^ "Arakan Forest Turtle". Zoo Atlanta. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
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^ Siroky, P. (2006). "Two Eimerian Coccidia (Apicomplexa : Eimeriidae) from the critically endangered Arakan forest turtle Heosemys depressa (Testudines : Geoemydidae), with description of Eimeria arakanensis n. sp" (PDF). Acta Protozoologica. 45 (2): 183–189. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-11. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
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^ "Critically endangered turtles found in Rakhine State (Heosemys depressa)". European Studbook Foundation. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
- Robbins, R. G. and Steven G. Platt. "Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington."Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 103.2 (2001): 1023–1024. <https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/54775>
- Ludwig, M.; Auer, M. & Fritz, U. (2007). "Phalangeal formulae of geoemydid terrapins (Batagur, Callagur, Hardella, Heosemys, Kachuga, Orlitia, Pangshura, Rhinoclemmys) reflect distinct modes of life" (PDF). Amphibia–Reptilia. 28 (4): 574–576. doi:10.1163/156853807782152570.
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Arakan forest turtle: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The Arakan forest turtle (Heosemys depressa) is a critically endangered turtle species native to the Arakan Hills in western Myanmar and the bordering Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. The Arakan forest turtle is a semiterrestrial turtle, meaning it can survive in aquatic as well as terrestrial habitats, but adults prefer living in terrestrial habitats.
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- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
