The four-eyed turtle[4] (Sacalia quadriocellata) is a reptile of the order Testudines. Its name refers to two bright yellow or green spots that occur on the back of its head that can look like another pair of eyes.
This species of turtle occurs in southern China and Hainan, in the Annamite Mountains and northeastern region of Laos, and in the mountains of northern and central Vietnam.[5]
Hybridizationedit
A male of this species has successfully produced hybrids with the Golden coin turtle in captivity. Given that the "four-eye" pattern is inherited by these hybrids, it seems well possible that the mysterious Chinese false-eyed turtle (Sacalia pseudocellata) is actually based on a hybrid specimen.[6]
Descriptionedit
The four-eyed turtle can grow to a carapace length of 15 cm (5.9 in). Its carapace typically ranges in color from a yellowish-tan to a deep chocolate-brown, and all turtles have a distinct pattern of lines. The turtle's head is often colorful with yellow or green eyes, yellow stripes, and a pink or red throat. Two (sometimes four) eye-like ocelli occur on the back of the head, hence the turtle's name.[7][verification needed][8]
Ecologyedit
Four-eyed turtles occur in freshwater streams, brooks, and ponds in woodland, often mountainoushabitats. As a result of their rugged surroundings, they have adapted to become adept climbers.
While their dietary preferences have not been studied in detail, it is known that they do eat a wide variety of animals and plants including crickets, worms, snails, trout chow, aquatic plants, greens and lettuces, and certain fruits.[5]
A main factor in the decline of the four-eyed turtle is trade and demand for their shells.[9] Therefore, species recovery programs are needed to ensure the future of the species. There is currently an extensive communication between zoo and conservation personnel in Vietnam whose goal is to coordinate recovery programs. The recovery programs will include legal protection for the turtles which will affect turtle trading.[10][11]
Large quantities of turtle shell are used as an ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). For instance, Taiwan confirmed that 940 tons of hard shelled turtle bone and 200 tons of soft shell turtle bones were imported between 1992 and 1998. The plastron - the belly shell - is used in TCM prescriptions. Some TCM scientists argue that there is no difference between plastron and carapace (back shell) bone. So, if both plastron and carapace bone are utilized, the demand of TCM for freshwater turtles, including four-eyed turtles, could decrease by 50% or even more, since the carapace is larger than the plastron.[12] Current TCM research also suggests that there is no pharmaceutical difference in the effects of bone from animals produced on farms and animals captured in nature. As a result, farm production of turtle bone for TCM is likely to increase. In addition, TCM research could help find alternatives to turtle bone such as herbs.
Conservation effortsedit
The Asian Turtle Program has helped publicize turtle conservation all throughout Asia.[13] The ATP, a branch of Indo-Myanmar Conservation, has a regularly updated website with up-to-date news that helps spotlight the status of endangered turtles throughout Asia.
Referencesedit
^Fong, J.; Hoang, H.; Li, P.; McCormack, T.; Rao, D.-Q.; Shi, H.; Wang, L. (2021). "Sacalia quadriocellata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T19797A2507554. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T19797A2507554.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 247–248. ISSN 1864-5755. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-01. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
^Sometimes confused with a related and similar species, Beale's four-eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei ).
^ abc. Asian Turtle Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2007-05-08.
^. The Asian Turtle Consortium. Archived from the original on 2007-06-10. Retrieved 2007-05-15.
^"Chinese Four-Eyed Turtles, genus Sacalia". Hopson, Mary. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
^Gray, Jordan (June 2017). . Turtle Survival Alliance. Archived from the original on 2018-07-19.
^(PDF). Asian Turtle Program. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-01-27.
^(PDF). Turtle Survival org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-01-27.
^"Conclusions from the Workshop on Trade in Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles in Asia". Asian Turtle Trade Working Group. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
^. Archived from the original on 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
Parham, James Ford; Simison, W. Brian; Kozak, Kenneth H.; Feldman, Chris R. & Shi, Haitao (2001). New Chinese turtles: endangered or invalid? A reassessment of two species using mitochondrial DNA, allozyme electrophoresis and known-locality specimens. Animal Conservation4 (4): 357–367. HTML abstract Erratum: Animal Conservation5 (1): 86 HTML abstract
Siebenrock, Friedrich. (1903). "Schildkröten des östlichen Hinterindien". Sitzungsberichte der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Klasse der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften [Vienna] 112: 333-353. ("Clemmys bealii Gray nov. var. quadriocellata", pp. 336–338).
External linksedit
Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center
The Asian Turtle Crisis
April 11, 2024
four, eyed, turtle, four, eyed, turtle, sacalia, quadriocellata, reptile, order, testudines, name, refers, bright, yellow, green, spots, that, occur, back, head, that, look, like, another, pair, eyes, conservation, statuscritically, endangered, iucn, cites, ap. The four eyed turtle 4 Sacalia quadriocellata is a reptile of the order Testudines Its name refers to two bright yellow or green spots that occur on the back of its head that can look like another pair of eyes Four eyed turtleConservation statusCritically Endangered IUCN 3 1 1 CITES Appendix II CITES 2 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass ReptiliaOrder TestudinesSuborder CryptodiraSuperfamily TestudinoideaFamily GeoemydidaeGenus SacaliaSpecies S quadriocellataBinomial nameSacalia quadriocellataSiebenrock 1903Synonyms 3 Clemmys bealii var quadriocellata Siebenrock 1903 Clemmys quadriocellata Pope 1934 Clemmys bealei quadriocellata Bourret 1941 Clemmys beali insulensis Adler 1962 Sacalia quadriocellata Pritchard 1979 Sacalia bealei quadriocellata C Ernst amp R Barbour 1989 Sacalia quadriocellata quadriocellata Artner 2003 Sacalia quadriocellata insularis sic Artner 2003 ex errore Contents 1 Geographic range 2 Hybridization 3 Description 4 Ecology 5 Status and conservation 5 1 Conservation efforts 6 References 7 External linksGeographic range editThis species of turtle occurs in southern China and Hainan in the Annamite Mountains and northeastern region of Laos and in the mountains of northern and central Vietnam 5 Hybridization editA male of this species has successfully produced hybrids with the Golden coin turtle in captivity Given that the four eye pattern is inherited by these hybrids it seems well possible that the mysterious Chinese false eyed turtle Sacalia pseudocellata is actually based on a hybrid specimen 6 Description editThe four eyed turtle can grow to a carapace length of 15 cm 5 9 in Its carapace typically ranges in color from a yellowish tan to a deep chocolate brown and all turtles have a distinct pattern of lines The turtle s head is often colorful with yellow or green eyes yellow stripes and a pink or red throat Two sometimes four eye like ocelli occur on the back of the head hence the turtle s name 7 verification needed 8 Ecology editFour eyed turtles occur in freshwater streams brooks and ponds in woodland often mountainous habitats As a result of their rugged surroundings they have adapted to become adept climbers While their dietary preferences have not been studied in detail it is known that they do eat a wide variety of animals and plants including crickets worms snails trout chow aquatic plants greens and lettuces and certain fruits 5 Status and conservation editThe species is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN 5 It is also listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species CITES meaning international trade including in parts and derivatives is regulated 2 A main factor in the decline of the four eyed turtle is trade and demand for their shells 9 Therefore species recovery programs are needed to ensure the future of the species There is currently an extensive communication between zoo and conservation personnel in Vietnam whose goal is to coordinate recovery programs The recovery programs will include legal protection for the turtles which will affect turtle trading 10 11 Large quantities of turtle shell are used as an ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM For instance Taiwan confirmed that 940 tons of hard shelled turtle bone and 200 tons of soft shell turtle bones were imported between 1992 and 1998 The plastron the belly shell is used in TCM prescriptions Some TCM scientists argue that there is no difference between plastron and carapace back shell bone So if both plastron and carapace bone are utilized the demand of TCM for freshwater turtles including four eyed turtles could decrease by 50 or even more since the carapace is larger than the plastron 12 Current TCM research also suggests that there is no pharmaceutical difference in the effects of bone from animals produced on farms and animals captured in nature As a result farm production of turtle bone for TCM is likely to increase In addition TCM research could help find alternatives to turtle bone such as herbs Conservation efforts edit The Asian Turtle Program has helped publicize turtle conservation all throughout Asia 13 The ATP a branch of Indo Myanmar Conservation has a regularly updated website with up to date news that helps spotlight the status of endangered turtles throughout Asia References edit Fong J Hoang H Li P McCormack T Rao D Q Shi H Wang L 2021 Sacalia quadriocellata IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021 e T19797A2507554 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2021 1 RLTS T19797A2507554 en Retrieved 19 November 2021 a b Appendices CITES cites org Retrieved 2022 01 14 Fritz Uwe Havas Peter 2007 Checklist of Chelonians of the World PDF Vertebrate Zoology 57 2 247 248 ISSN 1864 5755 Archived from the original PDF on 2011 05 01 Retrieved 29 May 2012 Sometimes confused with a related and similar species Beale s four eyed turtle Sacalia bealei a b c Sacalia quadriocellata Asian Turtle Conservation Network Archived from the original on 2007 08 25 Retrieved 2007 05 08 Parham et al 2001 Buskirk et al 2005 Sacalia bealei Four eyed turtle The Asian Turtle Consortium Archived from the original on 2007 06 10 Retrieved 2007 05 15 Chinese Four Eyed Turtles genus Sacalia Hopson Mary Retrieved 2007 05 09 Gray Jordan June 2017 Species Spotlight Vol 6 Turtle Survival Alliance Archived from the original on 2018 07 19 Turtle Adoption Package for the Turtle Conservation Centre TCC Vietnam PDF Asian Turtle Program Archived from the original PDF on 2013 01 27 Turtle Survival Alliance PDF Turtle Survival org Archived from the original PDF on 2013 01 27 Conclusions from the Workshop on Trade in Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles in Asia Asian Turtle Trade Working Group Retrieved 2007 05 19 Asian Turtle Conservation Network Archived from the original on 2007 05 29 Retrieved 2007 05 19 Parham James Ford Simison W Brian Kozak Kenneth H Feldman Chris R amp Shi Haitao 2001 New Chinese turtles endangered or invalid A reassessment of two species using mitochondrial DNA allozyme electrophoresis and known locality specimens Animal Conservation 4 4 357 367 HTML abstract Erratum Animal Conservation 5 1 86 HTML abstract Siebenrock Friedrich 1903 Schildkroten des ostlichen Hinterindien Sitzungsberichte der Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftlichen Klasse der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften Vienna 112 333 353 Clemmys bealii Gray nov var quadriocellata pp 336 338 External links editCuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center ARKive ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity The Asian Turtle Crisis Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Four eyed turtle amp oldid 1205503733, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
