The Indochinese box turtle, Vietnamese box turtle, or flowerback box turtle (Cuora galbinifrons) is a species of Asian box turtles from China (Hainan and Guangxi), northern and central Vietnam, Laos, and possibly northeastern Cambodia. It is found in high altitude woodland where it tends to hide in the undergrowth. There is considerable confusion as to the taxonomy of this species with several subspecies being recognised by some authorities. and not by others. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as "critically endangered".
The northern Vietnamese box turtle C. g. galbinifrons was described by Bourret in 1939, but it took nearly 40 years until the first specimens were imported to Europe and the United States. This subspecies occurs in extreme southern Guangxi Province, China, northern Vietnam, and probably northern Laos and on Hainan Island (China). The population from Hainan was once considered to represent a distinct species[4] or at least subspecies,[5]C. (galbinifrons) hainanensis.[6] Li, 1958, was not aware of the description from Bourret (1939) of C. galbinifrons and thus believed to have a new subspecies of Cuora flavomarginata the only Cuora species known at this time with at least some similarities. According to some, specimens from Hainan do not always have fully black plastrons (always the case in mainland C. g. galbinifrons), but sometimes lighter parts. Furthermore, their carapaces show more red pigmentation and brown spots. Genetic and morphologic studies believe it to be a synonym of C.g. galbinifrons, however.
The central Vietnamese flowerback box turtle (Cuora (galbinifrons) bourreti) occurs in central Vietnam and adjacent Laos, and possibly in northeastern Cambodia. The most notable difference to the nominate race is the distinct plastral pattern, where only smaller black blotches (sometimes none at all) occur.
Described as a subspecies[7] of C. galbinifrons, genetic studies[8] have shown it to be quite distinct, possibly to the extent of a separate species, i.e., Cuora bourreti as is the case with Cuora picturata,[9] once also considered a subspecies of C. galbinifrons. However, osteologic studies[10] have shown that C. g. bourreti probably better remains as a subspecies of C. galbinifrons. This is also substantiated by the finding of intergradation zones in north-central Vietnam, where hybrid populations of C. g. galbinifrons and C. g. bourreti are known to exist.[11] The status of C. picturata is uncertain, while this is the morphologically and phenotypically the most distinct variety, authors[12] treat it as a subspecies of C. galbinifrons again. Herein, it is treated as a separate but closely related species.
Specimens of at least the northern and central Vietnamese taxahybridize—apparently in the wild—with keeled box turtle males to produce the turtles once considered a separate species or subspecies, Cuora serrata.
Statusedit
All populations of Indochinese box turtle are in decline and the conservation situation is made more acute by the diversity of subspecies. Without trying to resolve these taxonomic issues, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated the conservation status of the species as "critically endangered".[1]
Galleryedit
C. g. galbinifrons, dorsal view (Hainan)
C. g. galbinifrons, plastral view (Vietnam)
C. g. bourreti, lateral view, light-colored variety (Cambodia/Laos)
C. g. bourreti, plastral view of the dark-colored Vietnamese variety
C. g. bourreti, lateral view of the dark-colored Vietnamese variety
Referencesedit
^ abLi, P.; McCormack, T.; Rao, D.-Q.; Shi, H.; Stuart, B.L.; Wang, L. (2020). "Cuora galbinifrons". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T97357437A123816666. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T97357437A123816666.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
Fritz, Uwe; Auer, Markus & Petzold, Antje (2006). "Osteology in the Cuora galbinifrons complex suggests conspecificity of C. bourreti and C. galbinifrons, with notes on shell osteology and phalangeal formulae within the Geoemydidae". Amphibia-Reptilia. 27 (2): 195–205. doi:10.1163/156853806777240029.
Fritz, U., Ziegler, T., Herrmann, H.-W., Lehr, E., 2002. Intergradation between subspecies of Cuora galbinifrons Bourret, 1939 and Pyxidea mouhotii (Gray, 1862) in southern North Vietnam. Faun. Abh. Mus. Tierk. Dresden, 23: 59–74.
Obst, F.J., Reimann, M., 1994. Bemerkenswerte Variabilität bei Cuora galbinifrons Bourret, 1939, mit Beschreibung einer neuen geographischen Unterart: Cuora galbinifrons bourreti subsp. nov. Zool. Abh. Mus. Tierk. Dresden, 48: 125–138.
Stuart, Bryan L & Parham, James Ford (2004). "Molecular phylogeny of the critically endangered Indochinese box turtle (Cuora galbinifrons)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 31 (1): 164–177. doi:10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00258-6. PMID 15019617.
External linksedit
Cuora galbinifrons galbinifrons - Visual Determination of Subspecies by Chris Tabaka, DVM. Retrieved 2007-SEP-1.
January 01, 1970
indochinese, turtle, vietnamese, turtle, flowerback, turtle, cuora, galbinifrons, species, asian, turtles, from, china, hainan, guangxi, northern, central, vietnam, laos, possibly, northeastern, cambodia, found, high, altitude, woodland, where, tends, hide, un. The Indochinese box turtle Vietnamese box turtle or flowerback box turtle Cuora galbinifrons is a species of Asian box turtles from China Hainan and Guangxi northern and central Vietnam Laos and possibly northeastern Cambodia It is found in high altitude woodland where it tends to hide in the undergrowth There is considerable confusion as to the taxonomy of this species with several subspecies being recognised by some authorities and not by others The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as critically endangered Indochinese box turtle Northern Vietnamese box turtleCuora galbinifrons galbinifrons Conservation status Critically Endangered IUCN 3 1 1 CITES Appendix I CITES 2 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Order Testudines Suborder Cryptodira Superfamily Testudinoidea Family Geoemydidae Genus Cuora Species C galbinifrons Binomial name Cuora galbinifronsBourret 1939 Synonyms 3 Cuora galbinifrons galbinifrons Cuora galbinifrons Bourret 1939 Cyclemus flavomarginata hainanensis Li 1958 Cuora hainanensis Zhao 1975 Cyclemys flavomarginata hainanensis Wermuth amp Mertens 1977 Cistoclemmys galbinifrons Bour 1980 Cistoclemmys hainanensis Iverson 1985 Cuora flavomarginata hainanensis Obst 1985 Cistoclemmys flavomarginata hainanensis Groombridge 1988 Cuora galbinifrons galbinifrons Iverson amp McCord 1992 Cuora galbinifrons hainanensis Iverson amp McCord 1992 Cistoclemmys galbinifrons galbinifrons Bour 2002 Cistoclemmys galbinifrons hainanensis Bour 2002 Cuora galbinifrons bourreti Cuora galbinifrons bourreti Obst amp Reimann 1994 Cistoclemmys galbinifrons bourreti Bour 2002 Cuora bourreti Stuart amp Parham 2004 Cistoclemmys bourreti Vetter 2006 Cuora galbinifrons picturata Cuora galbinifrons picturata Lehr Fritz amp Obst 1998 Cistoclemmys galbinifrons picturata Bour 2002 Cuora picturata Stuart amp Parham 2004 Cistoclemmys picturata Vetter 2006 Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Status 3 Gallery 4 References 5 External linksTaxonomy editThe northern Vietnamese box turtle C g galbinifrons was described by Bourret in 1939 but it took nearly 40 years until the first specimens were imported to Europe and the United States This subspecies occurs in extreme southern Guangxi Province China northern Vietnam and probably northern Laos and on Hainan Island China The population from Hainan was once considered to represent a distinct species 4 or at least subspecies 5 C galbinifrons hainanensis 6 Li 1958 was not aware of the description from Bourret 1939 of C galbinifrons and thus believed to have a new subspecies of Cuora flavomarginata the only Cuora species known at this time with at least some similarities According to some specimens from Hainan do not always have fully black plastrons always the case in mainland C g galbinifrons but sometimes lighter parts Furthermore their carapaces show more red pigmentation and brown spots Genetic and morphologic studies believe it to be a synonym of C g galbinifrons however The central Vietnamese flowerback box turtle Cuora galbinifrons bourreti occurs in central Vietnam and adjacent Laos and possibly in northeastern Cambodia The most notable difference to the nominate race is the distinct plastral pattern where only smaller black blotches sometimes none at all occur Described as a subspecies 7 of C galbinifrons genetic studies 8 have shown it to be quite distinct possibly to the extent of a separate species i e Cuora bourreti as is the case with Cuora picturata 9 once also considered a subspecies of C galbinifrons However osteologic studies 10 have shown that C g bourreti probably better remains as a subspecies of C galbinifrons This is also substantiated by the finding of intergradation zones in north central Vietnam where hybrid populations of C g galbinifrons and C g bourreti are known to exist 11 The status of C picturata is uncertain while this is the morphologically and phenotypically the most distinct variety authors 12 treat it as a subspecies of C galbinifrons again Herein it is treated as a separate but closely related species Specimens of at least the northern and central Vietnamese taxa hybridize apparently in the wild with keeled box turtle males to produce the turtles once considered a separate species or subspecies Cuora serrata Status editAll populations of Indochinese box turtle are in decline and the conservation situation is made more acute by the diversity of subspecies Without trying to resolve these taxonomic issues the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated the conservation status of the species as critically endangered 1 Gallery edit nbsp C g galbinifrons dorsal view Hainan nbsp C g galbinifrons plastral view Vietnam nbsp C g bourreti lateral view light colored variety Cambodia Laos nbsp C g bourreti plastral view of the dark colored Vietnamese variety nbsp C g bourreti lateral view of the dark colored Vietnamese varietyReferences edit a b Li P McCormack T Rao D Q Shi H Stuart B L Wang L 2020 Cuora galbinifrons IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020 e T97357437A123816666 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2020 2 RLTS T97357437A123816666 en Retrieved 19 November 2021 Appendices CITES cites org Retrieved 2022 01 14 Fritz Uwe Peter Havas 2007 Checklist of Chelonians of the World Vertebrate Zoology 57 2 216 217 doi 10 3897 vz 57 e30895 Zhao 1975 Iverson amp McCord 1992 Li 1958 org desc Cyclemys flavomarginata hainanensis Obst amp Reimann 1994 Stuart amp Parham 2004 Lehr et al 1998 Fritz et al 2006 Fritz et al 2003 Fritz amp Havas 2006 Fritz Uwe Auer Markus amp Petzold Antje 2006 Osteology in the Cuora galbinifrons complex suggests conspecificity of C bourreti and C galbinifrons with notes on shell osteology and phalangeal formulae within the Geoemydidae Amphibia Reptilia 27 2 195 205 doi 10 1163 156853806777240029 Fritz U Ziegler T Herrmann H W Lehr E 2002 Intergradation between subspecies of Cuora galbinifrons Bourret 1939 and Pyxidea mouhotii Gray 1862 in southern North Vietnam Faun Abh Mus Tierk Dresden 23 59 74 Obst F J Reimann M 1994 Bemerkenswerte Variabilitat bei Cuora galbinifrons Bourret 1939 mit Beschreibung einer neuen geographischen Unterart Cuora galbinifrons bourreti subsp nov Zool Abh Mus Tierk Dresden 48 125 138 Stuart Bryan L amp Parham James Ford 2004 Molecular phylogeny of the critically endangered Indochinese box turtle Cuora galbinifrons Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 31 1 164 177 doi 10 1016 S1055 7903 03 00258 6 PMID 15019617 External links editCuora galbinifrons galbinifrons Visual Determination of Subspecies by Chris Tabaka DVM Retrieved 2007 SEP 1 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Indochinese box turtle amp oldid 1209746640, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
