Reproductive ecology of the endangered Beal’s-eyed turtle, Sacalia bealei

PeerJ

article

Liu Lin¹  Qingru Hu¹  Jonathan J. Fong²  Jiangbo Yang¹  Zhongdong Chen³  Feiyu Zhou³  Jichao Wang¹  Fanrong Xiao¹  Haitao Shi¹ 

[1] Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University;Science Unit, Lingnan University;Administration Bureau, Fujian Huboliao National Nature Reserve

关键词: Nesting behavior;    Conservation;    Incubation;    Beal’s Eyed Turtle;    Ecology;    Turtle conservation;    Animal behavior;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.4997

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

The Beal’s-eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei) is endemic to southeastern China and endangered due to poaching and habitat loss. Knowledge of S. bealei ecology is lacking and this study provides baseline information of its reproduction in a natural environment. We studied the reproductive ecology of S. bealei using X-ray, spool-and-line tracking, and direct observation. Six nesting females were successfully tracked and their nesting behaviors are documented in detail. Females produced a mean clutch size of 2.2 eggs (range 1–3). The hard-shelled eggs were ellipsoidal with a mean length of 45.50 mm, a mean width of 23.20 mm, and mean weight of 14.8 g. The relative clutch mass was 9.47%, while the relative egg mass was 4.60%. The mean incubation period was 94.7 days with a mean nest temperature of 25.08 °C. Hatchlings had a mean weight of 9.7 g, carapace length of 40.1 mm, carapace width of 33.3 mm, carapace height of 17.4 mm, plastron length of 31.6 mm, and plastron width of 25.4 mm. The results of this study provide important information to inform conservation plans and ex-situ breeding for this endangered species.

【 授权许可】

CC BY