Kuang Yang Lue

Unregulated Trade in Turtle Shells for Chinese Traditional Medicine in East and Southeast Asia: The Case of Taiwan

Abstract Based on customs trade statistics from 1999 to 2008, a total of 1989 metric tons of shells of hard-shelled chelonians have been imported into Taiwan for consumption in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) market, with an average of 198.9 metric tons/y. The total amount of soft-shell turtle shells imported was 290 metric tons, averaging 29.0 metric tons/y. This volume indicates that millions of turtles and tortoises have been killed annually for the TCM market in Taiwan alone. The trade of turtle shells for TCM has existed in huge volumes for a long time, with no significant decrease in the market size through Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora listing of the main target species. Although the customs trade records were not species-specific, in the market survey conducted in 1996–2002, a total of 39 species of turtles and tortoises, mainly originating from China, Southeast and South Asia, were identified. Only 3 non-Asian species were found. The larger number and numerous species of origin in turtle-shell trade for the TCM market indicate blatant disregard by traders for law and authority of responsible agencies from both source and consumer countries. Observed levels of usage and trade of turtle shells appear to be highly unsustainable and may have a great impact on the chelonian fauna in source areas. For the sustainability of chelonian fauna in Asia, clear policies and close international cooperation for the regulation of turtle-shell trade are urgently needed.

Growth patterns of the yellow-margined box turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) in northern Taiwan

Abstract Growth of the yellow-margined box turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) was studied in northern Taiwan on the basis of recapture data and estimates using the age-carapace length relationship. The growth rate obtained using mark-recapture data from May 1996 to June 2000 was inversely correlated with the body size in both males and females. Growth trends in individuals for whom sex could be determined (i.e., large juveniles and adults) did not significantly differ between sexes. Growth rate in smaller juveniles, although highly variable compared to that of larger individuals, was collectively greater than in the latter. Mean carapace length of females was consistently greater than that of males of the same age. We used nonlinear regression to describe male and female growth trajectories, and the logistic model better fit data on C. flavomarginata than the von Bertalanffy model. Individuals younger than 11 years old occupied no more than 10.3% of the population, 28.8% of which was considered to exceed 18 years of age.

Activity, movement patterns, and home range of the yellow-margined box turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) in northern Taiwan

Estimates were made of the activity, movement patterns, habitat use, and home range size of adult yellow-margined box turtles (Cuora flavomarginata) in the Feitsui Reservoir Protected Area, northern Taiwan. Data collected from May 1996 to February 1998 by mark-recapture and radiotelemetry indicated that C. flavomarginata is exclusively terrestrial. The distribution of captures and relocations offered no evidence of aquatic habits. The activity and movement patterns varied seasonally and between sexes. From April to July, females were captured more frequently than males, suggesting that the activity of females was greater than that of males. By contrast, males were captured more frequently than females from August to October. Seasonal habitat preference also was observed for both sexes. Gravid females usually stayed near the border of evergreen forests during the nesting season of April to July (61.5%), and then moved back into the forests interior (56.3%). Males tended to remain in the densely vegetated areas of evergreen forest throughout the year. Although the home range size varied greatly among individuals (0.07-6.39 ha), males tended to have larger home range sizes (3.53 ha) than females (0.53 ha). Activity of C. flavomarginata reduced dramatically after October. Most individuals selected areas with dense vegetation as overwintering sites, where they buried themselves under leaf litter or fallen logs, or used abandoned burrows of other animals

TWO NEW CRYPTIC SPECIES OF TAKYDROMUS (SQUAMATA: LACERTIDAE) FROM TAIWAN

Two new grass lizard species, previously confused with Takydromus formosanus, were identified in Taiwan using mitochondrial DNA sequences. In the present study, 40 morphological characters and their taxonomic significances were assessed using principal components analysis and discriminant analysis. The three species can be distinguished by morphology of body sizes, dorsal and caudal scales, and most importantly, by male coloration during the breeding seasons. The present study increases the total number of Takydromus to 19 species, of which 10 are insular endemics, with six only occurring in Taiwan.

Ecology of the Chinese Stripe-Necked Turtle, Ocadia sinensis (Testudines: Emydidae), in the Keelung River, Northern Taiwan

An intensive ecological study of a large population of the Chinese stripe-necked turtle, Ocadia sinensis, was conducted in northern Taiwan from February 1995 to May 1996. Of 661 turtles captured and measured, there were 136 unsexedjuveniles, 289 males, and 233 females; the sex ratio was significantly male-biased. Significant sexual size dimorphism was evident. Females grew larger than males; mean body size of females over four years was consistently larger than that of coeval males. Xray photography revealed that females were gravid from March to May. Clutch size averaged 12.6 and varied from 7 to 17. Stomach contents collected from June to October 1995 revealed sexual differences in diet: males tended to consume animal

TEMPORAL ASPECTS OF THE AMPLEXUS AND OVIPOSITION BEHAVIOR OF THE FANGED FROG RANA KUHLII FROM TAIWAN

Amplexus among anurans, during which the male grasps the female for a period prior to, during, and after oviposition, varies interspecifically in duration, from less than 1 hour to more than 100 days (Wells, 1977; Duellman and Trueb, 1986). Why such variation exists is an interesting theme in the breeding biology of anurans. Detailed observations of mating behavior after pair formation, however, have been conducted for only a few species (Townsend and Stewart, 1986; Marquez and Verrell, 1991; Tsuji and Kawamichi, 1998). In particular, very little is known of the behavior during amplexus of some species that exhibit reversed sexual size dimorphism wherein the males are larger than the females.

TWO NEW HYNOBIUS (CAUDATA: HYNOBIIDAE) SALAMANDERS FROM TAIWAN

The species diversity of Taiwan Hynobius salamanders has long been debated. In this study, we analyzed morphological and molecular data from these taxonomically problematic salamanders. Our results show that, based on mitochondrial sequence data, there are five distinct clades of Taiwanese Hynobius. This result is consistent with morphologically-based analyses. Three of the clades have been described as distinct species, and our results corroborate their recognition, while the other two are described as new species in this paper. The first new species described is a moderately large, five-toed species. Coloration of dorsum is yellowish brown with irregular, black, short stripes and a gray ventral surface. This species is found in the northern Central and Syueshan Mountain Range at elevations above 3000 m, and has an average cytochrome b sequence divergence from other Taiwanese species ranging from 5.2% to 10.1%. The second new species described is small but robust, has a short tail and limbs, and has four-toes on each foot. Its dorsal color is dark brown with white spots and it has 11 costal grooves. This species is distributed in the northern and central part of the Syueshan Mountain Range. The average cytochrome b sequence divergence between this new species and other Taiwan species ranges from 9.8% to 11.1%.

Thermal preference of the yellow-margined box turtle ( Cuora flavomarginata ) (Testudines: Geoemydidae) inhabiting a mesic lowland forest, northern Taiwan

Thermal preference of free-living yellow-margined box turtle, Cuora flavomarginata , was studied in a mesic forested habitat using a combination of radiotransmitters and temperature dataloggers attached to individual turtles. Patterns of mean weekly shell surface temperature variation of selected individuals were highly related to seasonal change of environmental temperature, with a peak temperature of 24.5-25.1°C in males and 26.0-27.0°C in females during June and July. Minimum shell surface temperature occurred in late January (4.5-7.6°C). Despite a small sample size, there were significantly intersexual differences in mean weekly shell surface temperature during nesting season. Individual females of C. flavomarginata tended to maintain higher shell surface temperature during nesting season (May-July). This difference was mostly pronounced during the day. There were no obviously intersexual differences prior to and after nesting season. Our results do not support the previous predictions that gravid C. flavomarginata may select higher environmental temperatures prior to nesting season.

Polyclony in a triploid gecko, Hemidactylus stejnegeri, from Taiwan, with notes on its bearing on the chromosomal diversity of the H. garnotii-vietnamensis complex (Sauria: Gekkonidae)

Karyological survey for populations of Hemidactylus stejnegeri, a triploid parthenogenetic gecko recently described from Taiwan, revealed the occurrence of chromosomal variation in this species within Taiwan. The significance of the present findings to the process of divergence in the Hemidactylus garnotiivietnamensis complex are discussed.

Population status and distribution of freshwater turtles in Taiwan

Because of burgeoning demand in the Chinese market and extensive habitat loss more than half of the freshwater turtle and tortoise species in Asia are categorized as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. To investigate the distribution and status of the native freshwater turtle species of Taiwan a trapping programme was conducted during 2001–2007, yielding a total of 1,828 individuals of four native species at 103 sites. Mauremys sinensis was the most abundant and widely distributed species; it was collected from 70 sites and accounted for 78.6% of all turtles captures. Mauremys mutica comprised 17.8% at 46 sites. Pelodiscus sinensis were captured in low numbers at 19 sites. No Mauremys reevesii were collected on the main island of Taiwan but the species was found on Kinmen Island near mainland China. Capture success was low at most sites and overall sex ratios were significantly male-biased in all species, suggesting that the freshwater turtles have suffered from the negative effects of habitat disturbance and extensive exploitation. Effective conservation measures are urgently required to ensure the viability of the native freshwater turtle species of Taiwan.