[Arachnida • 2025] Amblyomma kappa • A New Species of reptile tick (Acari: Ixodidae) from subtropical East Asia closely related to the Oriental turtle tick (Amblyomma geoemydae) from tropical Southeast Asia

 

Amblyomma kappa Kwak, 

in Kwak, Qiu, Heath, Takano, Takahashi, Kelava, Tamura, Taya & Nakao, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107499 

x.com/MLKWAK

Abstract

The correct delineation of tick species is critical for efforts aimed at safeguarding One Health. Historically, the Asian turtle tick (Amblyomma geoemydae sensu lato) has been regarded as a geographically widespread species across much of Asia. However, based on morphological and phylogenomic data, the subtropical lineage (from Japan, Taiwan, and parts of China) of A. geoemydae is recognised as a new species: Amblyomma kappa sp. n., and all life stages are described. The tropical lineage of A. geoemydae sensu stricto is recharacterized and a differential diagnosis is provided to distinguish the two species. The ecology, host associations, and medical importance of A. kappa are also discussed.

East Asian turtle tick (Amblyomma kappa n. sp.)

Family: Ixodidae Murray, 1877

Genus: Amblyomma Koch, 1844

Amblyomma kappa n. sp. Kwak, 2025

Amblyomma malayanum Keegan and Toshioka, 1957

Amblyomma geoemydae Yamaguti et al., 1971

Amblyomma geoemydae Fujita and Takada, 2007

Type host: Geoemyda japonica Fan 1931 (Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle)

Other hosts: Cuora flavomarginata Gray, 1863, Mauremys japonica Temminck and Schlegel 1832, Mauremys mutica Cantor, 1842, Lycodon semicarinatus Cope, 1860, ...

Differential diagnosis: Although A. kappa and A. geoemydae are closely related, they can be distinguished fairly easily based on a range of key morphological differences. Female: (i) when unengorged, A. kappa (∼4000 μm in length) is approximately half the size of A. geoemydae (∼7500 μm in length) (Fig. 12A); (ii) In A. kappa the scutum is almost as long as wide (width-length ration of ∼1:0.95), while in A. geoemydae the scutum is distinctly wider than long (width-length ration of ∼1:0.75) (Fig. 12B); (iii) a pair of ...

 

Mackenzie L. Kwak, Yongjin Qiu, Allen C.G. Heath, Ai Takano, Mamoru Takahashi, Samuel Kelava, Hisao Tamura, Yurie Taya and Ryo Nakao. 2025. Amblyomma kappa sp. n. (Acari: Ixodidae), A New Species of reptile tick from subtropical East Asia closely related to the Oriental turtle tick (Amblyomma geoemydae) from tropical Southeast Asia. Acta Tropica. 261, 107499. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107499

 x.com/MLKWAK/status/1877278011604480328

[Herpetology • 2023] A Taxonomic Hide and Seek: Phylogenetic and Phylogeographic Relationships in the Southeast Asian Box Turtle, Cuora amboinensis (Riche in Daudin, 1801)

 

in Blanck, Gaillard, Protiva, Wheatley, Shi, Liu, Ray & Anders, 2023.

DOI: 10.30906/1026-2296-2023-30-6-S-1-52

  Researchgate.net/publication/375683378

Abstract

Cuora amboinensis is considered to be the most wide-ranging member of its genus and has one of the widest distributions of all geoemydid turtle species. The range of Cuora amboinensis spans major biogeographic barriers and encompasses diverse habitats. The genetics (nuDNA and mtDNA) and morphometry of 288 Cuora amboinensis sensu lato (s.l.) specimens from across its range were analyzed, and we identified five divergent species-level clades and two subspecies-level clades. One of the two identified potential subspecies lacked reliable locality data, requiring further field research before taxonomic steps can be undertaken. We designate a neotype for Cuora amboinensis sensu stricto and elevate both Cuora amboinensis couro and Cuora amboinensis lineata to species-level taxa. In addition, we describe two new species and one new subspecies from the «Cuora amboinensis» complex. The wide distribution of Cuora amboinensis s.l. is problematic because it is indigenous to many Pacific and Indian Ocean islands. We sought to clarify plausible dispersal hypotheses across islands using phylogeographic analyses.

Keywords: Testudines; Geoemydidae; Cuora; taxonomy; phylogeography; phylogenetics; conservation; species description; neotype; species complex; cryptic species

Cuora amboinensis​ aurantiae ssp. nov.

Cuora praschagi sp. nov.

 

 

Torsten Blanck, Daniel Gaillard, Tomáš Protiva, Madeleine Wheatley, Haitao Shi, Lin Liu, Parimal Chandra Ray and Ben Anders. 2023. A Taxonomic Hide and Seek: Phylogenetic and Phylogeographic Relationships in the Southeast Asian Box Turtle, Cuora amboinensis (Riche in Daudin, 1801). Russian Journal of Herpetology. 30(6-S); 1-52. DOI: 10.30906/1026-2296-2023-30-6-S-1-52

  Researchgate.net/publication/375683378_Phylogen_Phylogeogr_Cuora_amboinensis

 facebook.com/100088301342746/posts/303415369278506

[Herpetology • 2020] First Description of Neonate Batagur trivittata (Testudines: Geoemydidae)

Batagur trivittata Duméril & Bibron, 1835

in Platt, Lwin, Win, et al., 2020. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4821.2.10

The Burmese Roofed Turtle (Batagur trivittata Duméril & Bibron, 1835) is a large (straight-line carapace length [CL] to 620 mm; Platt et al., 2019), aquatic, herbivorous turtle endemic to the major river systems of Myanmar (Smith 1931; TTWG 2017). Although historically widespread and apparently abundant, long-term population declines resulted from chronic egg collecting, subsistence harvesting of adults, and loss of critical nesting habitat (Platt et al. 2017a). By the late 1990s B. trivittata was considered a candidate for Extinct status (Bhupathy et al. 2000) until a living specimen purchased in a Chinese wildlife market came into the possession of an American turtle collector in the early 2000s (Platt et al. 2005; W.P. McCord, pers. comm.). Shortly thereafter, field surveys “rediscovered” two remnant populations in the Dokhtawady and upper Chindwin Rivers (Platt et al. 2005; Kuchling et al. 2006). Intense ex- and in-situ recovery efforts were launched shortly thereafter and continue today (Kuchling & Tint Lwin 2004; Çilingir et al. 2017).

Batagur trivittata Duméril & Bibron, 1835

Steven G. Platt, Tint Lwin, Myo Min Win, Kalyar Platt, Nathan A. Haislip, Peter Paul van Dijk, Thomas R. Rainwater. 2020. First Description of Neonate Batagur trivittata (Testudines: Geoemydidae). Zootaxa. 4821(2); 394–400. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4821.2.10

[Invertebrate • 2019] Placobdelloides sirikanchanae • A New Species of Glossiphoniid Leech (Hirudinea, Rhynchobdellida) and A Parasite of Turtles from lower southern Thailand

Placobdelloides sirikanchanae (arrows) 
on the Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata (Gray, 1831)) (left) and the dark-bellied leaf turtle (C. enigmatica Fritz et al., 2008) (right).

 Trivalairat, Chiangkul & Purivirojkul, 2019
ปลิงอาจารย์ประไพสิริ  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.882.35229

Abstract

 A new species of glossiphoniid leech, Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov., is reported in the Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata) and the dark-bellied leaf turtle (C. enigmatica) from Songkhla Province, southern Thailand. The examination of morphological characters revealed that this new species is similar to P. siamensis (Oka, 1917), a common turtle leech species found in Thailand. Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov. demonstrates distinct morphological characters, with an elongated, narrow body, 13–17 well-developed knob papillae on each annulus, dark brown to greenish dorsal color with a crimson median line, the absence of a scarlet dot, different male and female gonopore distributions, a rough posterior sucker with a random pit distribution, and 104–115 eggs per clutch. The phylogenetic relationships of COI-ND1 genes were clarified and shown to be distinct from those of P. siamensis. Additionally, habitat preferences tended toward low oxygen conditions such as puddles or water patches on rubber plantations.

Keywords: Clitellata, Cyclemys, Glossiphoniidae, Hirudinea, leaf turtle, Songkhla

Placobdelloides Sawyer, 1986

Type species: Placobdelloides multistriata (Johansson, 1909) by original designation.

Genus diagnosis: eyes one pair, esophageal organ, crop caeca seven pairs, mouth pore terminal (Oosthuizen 1979).

Genus distribution: Placobdelloides species can be found in Africa (P. fimbriata (Johansson, 1909); P. jaegerskioeldi (Johansson, 1909); P. multistriata (Johansson, 1909)), Australia and United States, eastward to India (P. fulva (Harding, 1924); P. emydae (Harding, 1920); P. undulata (Harding, 1924); P. horai (Baugh, 1960); P. indica (Baugh, 1960)), Southeast Asia (P. siamensis in China and Thailand; P. okadai (Oka, 1925) in China; P. okai (Soós, 1969); P. stellapapillosa Govedich et al., 2002 in Malaysia and Singapore), and throughout Australia and New Zealand (P. octostriata (Grube, 1866); P. maorica (Benham, 1907); P. bancrofti (Best, 1931); P. bdellae (Ingram, 1957)).

Figure 2. Dorsal surface (upper) and ventral surface (lower) of the live holotype of Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov.

Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov.

Material examined: Holotype (ZMKU-ANN-0006), puddle on rubber plantation, Sadao District, Songkhla Province, Thailand , 21 October 2018. Paratypes (nine individuals, ZMKU-ANN-0007 to 0015), same locality data as the holotype. All collected specimens were kept in 70% alcohol and deposited at the Zoological Museum of Kasetsart University (ZMKU), Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University on 23 November 2018.

Diagnosis: This species can be recognized from its elongated, narrow body, crimson median dorsal line, rich dark green pigmentation, 13–17 well-developed knob papillae on each annulus, symmetrical dorsal papillae between the left and right body sides, male gonopore on XIa1/a2, female gonopore on XIa3/XIIa1, amorphous salivary glands, smooth surface with random pits inside the anterior sucker, and rugged surface with randomly distributed pits inside the posterior sucker.

Etymology: The species is named in honor of Associate Professor Prapaisiri Sirikanchana, the pioneer aquatic parasitologist of Thailand. The following common names, Sirikanchana’s leech (English), Pling Arjan Prapaisiri (Thai: ปลิงอาจารย์ประไพสิริ), and Sirikanchanas Plattegel (German) are suggested.

Figure 1. Live Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov. (arrows) on the Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata (Gray, 1831)) (left) and the dark-bellied leaf turtle (C. enigmatica Fritz et al., 2008) (right): carapace (lower), plastron (upper).

Type host: Dark-bellied leaf turtles (Cyclemys enigmatica).

Additional host: Asian leaf turtles (C. dentata).

Habitat: Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov. can be found attached on the shell surface, both the carapace and plastron, of C. dentata and C. enigmatica, which inhabit the bottom of enclosed shallow muddy puddles on rubber plantations. In the rainy season, several puddles will be connected due to an increase in the water level. Numerous small vertebrates are present in these puddles, such as small fishes or tadpoles. In the dry season, the puddles will be disconnected as the shallower waters disappear from evaporation. These aquatic ecosystems usually have low oxygen due to decomposition of leaf litter and nonflowing water.

 Poramad Trivalairat, Krittiya Chiangkul and Watchariya Purivirojkul. 2019. Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov., A New Species of Glossiphoniid Leech and A Parasite of Turtles from lower southern Thailand (Hirudinea, Rhynchobdellida). ZooKeys. 882: 1-24. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.882.35229

[Herpetology • 2009] Batagur affinis edwardmolli • A New Subspecies of Batagur affinis (Cantor, 1847) (Testudines: Geoemydidae), One of the World’s Most Critically Endangered Chelonians

Batagur affinis affinis (Cantor, 1847) ||  เต่ากระอาน, River Terrapin
Batagur affinis edwardmolli Praschag, Holloway, Georges, Päckert, Hundsdörfer & Fritz, 2009

|| เต่ากระอานเขมร, Cambodian River Terrapin

 (c) west coast form of B. affinis, male, Klong La-ngu River, Satun Province, Thailand – photo: B. Horne; (d) west coast form of B. affinis, female, Perak River, Malaysia – photo: E.O. Moll;
(e) east coast form of B. affinis, male, Dungun River, Malaysia – photo: E.H. Chan; (f) east coast form of B. affinis, female, Terengganu River, Malaysia – photo: E.O. Moll; (g) Cambodian Batagur male, Sre Ambel River system, Cambodia – photo: R. Holloway; (h) Cambodian Batagur female, Sre Ambel River system, Cambodia – photo: B. Horne.

 Note differences in head shape, soft part and iris coloration.

Abstract

Estuarine Batagur are among the most critically endangered chelonian species. We assess the taxonomic status of the recently discovered Cambodian relic population of Batagur by phylogenetic analyses of three mitochondrial (2096 bp) and three nuclear DNA fragments (1909 bp) using sequences from all other Batagur species and selected allied geoemydids. Furthermore, we calculated haplotype networks of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene for Cambodian terrapins, B. affinis, B. baska, and B. kachuga and compare external morphology of estuarine Batagur populations. Genetically, Cambodian Batagur are closely related with, but distinct from B. affinis from Sumatra and the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Morphologically, Cambodian Batagur resemble the distinctive B. affinis populations from the eastern Malay Peninsula that were not available for genetic study. We suggest that the Batagur populations from the eastern Malay Peninsula and Cambodia represent a new subspecies of B. affinis that once was distributed in estuaries surrounding the Gulf of Thailand (Batagur affinis edwardmolli subsp. nov.). Its patchy extant distribution is most probably the result of large-scale habitat alteration and century-long overexploitation. In addition, our phylogenetic analyses suggest repeated switches between riverine and estuarine habitats during the evolution of the extant Batagur species.

Key words: Southeast Asia, South Asia, Batagur affinis affinis, Batagur affinis edwardmolli subsp. nov., Batagur baska, Batagur kachuga, endangered species

Batagur affinis edwardmolli

Etymology. The new subspecies is named in recognition of Professor Edward O. Moll, one of the foremost experts on river turtles, who substantially contributed to the knowledge of Batagur affinis and its natural history.

Diagnosis. Adults differ from nominotypical subspecies of Batagur affinis by their distinctly more

elongated head with upturned snout; males with chocolate brown to almost black head (east coast of peninsular Malaysia) or sometimes rusty brown to reddish head (Sre Ambel River system, Cambodia), edges of mouth orange; iris golden or bright yellow. Females and juveniles with conspicuous whitish grey to silvery blotches in temporal and parietal region; hatchlings with distally yellow marginal scutes. For corresponding characters of B. a. affinis, see Table 2.

 Description of holotype. Specimen slightly macerated; some epidermal scutes detached from shell. Carapace roundish when viewed from above, with weakly serrated central and posterior marginal scutes; medial keel distinct, with posteriorly directed, slightly pointed spines. Plastron anteriorly truncated, posteriorly with anal notch. Straight line carapace length approximately 86 mm, carapace width 84 mm; medial plastron length 74 mm, maximum plastron length (to tips of anal scutes) 78 mm. 

Range: East coast of peninsular Malaysia and adjacent Thailand; Sre Ambel River system, Cambodia (Fig. 5).

FIGURE 3. (a) Batagur baska, male, Sundarbans, Bangladesh – photo: S.M.A. Rashid; (b) B. baska, semiadult female (the pointed, upturned snout develops only with increasing age), Sundarbans, Bangladesh – photo: P. Praschag;
 (c) west coast form of B. affinis, male, Klong La-ngu River, Satun Province, Thailand – photo: B. Horne; (d) west coast form of B. affinis, female, Perak River, Malaysia – photo: E.O. Moll;
 (e) east coast form of B. affinis, male, Dungun River, Malaysia – photo: E.H. Chan; (f) east coast form of B. affinis, female, Terengganu River, Malaysia – photo: E.O. Moll;
 (g) Cambodian Batagur male, Sre Ambel River system, Cambodia – photo: R. Holloway; (h) Cambodian Batagur female, Sre Ambel River system, Cambodia – photo: B. Horne.

 Note differences in head shape, soft part and iris coloration.

Peter Praschag, Rohan Holloway, Arthur Georges, Martin Päckert, Anna K. Hundsdörfer and Uwe Fritz. 2009. A New Subspecies of Batagur affinis (Cantor, 1847), One of the World’s Most Critically Endangered Chelonians (Testudines: Geoemydidae). Zootaxa. 2233: 57–68. 

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/zt02233p068.pdf

[Herpetology • 2016] Malayemys khoratensis | Khorat Snail-eating Turtle • Integrative Taxonomy of Southeast Asian Snail-Eating Turtles (Geoemydidae: Malayemys) Reveals A New Species and Mitochondrial Introgression

Khorat Snail-eating Turtle |  Malayemys khoratensis

 Ihlow, Vamberger, Flecks, Hartmann, Cota, Makchai, Meewattana, Dawson, Kheng, Rödder & Fritz, 2016

Male specimen of Malayemys khoratensis from Sikhio, northeastern Thailand

photo: F. Ihlow  idw-online.de/-CecmBA

  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153108 

Abstract

Based on an integrative taxonomic approach, we examine the differentiation of Southeast Asian snail-eating turtles using information from 1863 bp of mitochondrial DNA, 12 microsatellite loci, morphology and a correlative species distribution model. Our analyses reveal three genetically distinct groups with limited mitochondrial introgression in one group. All three groups exhibit distinct nuclear gene pools and distinct morphology. Two of these groups correspond to the previously recognized species Malayemys macrocephala (Chao Phraya Basin) and M. subtrijuga (Lower Mekong Basin). The third and genetically most divergent group from the Khorat Basin represents a previously unrecognized species, which is described herein. Although Malayemys are extensively traded and used for religious release, only few studied turtles appear to be translocated by humans. Historic fluctuations in potential distributions were assessed using species distribution models (SDMs). The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) projection of the predictive SDMs suggests two distinct glacial distribution ranges, implying that the divergence of M. macrocephala and M. subtrijuga occurred in allopatry and was triggered by Pleistocene climate fluctuations. Only the projection derived from the global circulation model MIROC reveals a distinct third glacial distribution range for the newly discovered Malayemys species.

Malayemys khoratensis sp. nov. 

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B88DB370-C3D0-4E64-A79A-3A77DDE7BCD8

Holotype: THNHM 25816, young, adult female (Fig 6) from Udon Thani, Udon Thani Province, Thailand (17.36555°N, 102.81427°E, WGS 1984), collected in July 2014 by FI and MC.

Fig 6. (A) Dorsal, (B) ventral, (C) lateral, and (D) frontal views of the holotype of Malayemys khoratensis (THNHM 25816, young, adult female from Udon Thani, Thailand).

  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153108 

Fig 7. Morphological differences in shell characteristics and head colouration patterns of Malayemys khoratensis (orange), Malayemys macrocephala (blue), Malayemys subtrijuga (green).

  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153108  

Diagnosis: Malayemys species with a straight carapace length below 20 cm and a tricarinate, blackish-brown carapace, and a blackish-brown head with distinct yellowish facial stripes. Malayemys khoratensis differs from M. macrocephala by the following characters: (1) first vertebral scute roughly square and not tapered posteriorly (V1W/V1L: 0.83±0.09 vs. 0.74±0.19 in females, 0.83±0.12 vs. 0.69±0.09 in males); (2) lower marginal scutes 8–12 with a pattern of diagonal to cone-shaped blackish brown blotches originating from the outer posterior corner vs. narrow blackish-brown bars at the posterior sutures; (3) infraorbital stripe not or rarely reaching the loreal seam, not broadened at the suture vs. always reaching the loreal seam and usually distinctly broadened at the suture; (4) infraorbital stripes only slightly curved below anterior edge of eyes vs. distinctly curved or angled; (5) short yellowish postocular stripe (between supraorbital and infraorbital stripe) lacking or reduced vs. postocular stripe always present and distinct (Fig 7).

Etymology: The species epithet refers to the Khorat Basin, the watershed to which the range of the new species appears to be restricted. The proposed English common name is Khorat Snail-eating Turtle.

Malayemys khoratensis (orange), Malayemys macrocephala (blue), Malayemys subtrijuga (green).

Distribution: M. khoratensis is so far only known from the Khorat Basin of northeastern Thailand. More precisely from Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, a location drained by the Mun River, and the provinces of Udon Thani (type locality) and Nong Bua Lamphu, in areas associated with the Chi River, a tributary of the Mun River.

Flora Ihlow, Melita Vamberger, Morris Flecks, Timo Hartmann, Michael Cota, Sunchai Makchai, Pratheep Meewattana, Jeffrey E. Dawson, Long Kheng, Dennis Rödder and Uwe Fritz. 2016. Integrative Taxonomy of Southeast Asian Snail-Eating Turtles (Geoemydidae: Malayemys) Reveals A New Species and Mitochondrial Introgression.
 PLoS ONE.  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153108

New turtle discovered in Asia! http://www.idw-online.de/-CecmBA

ResearchGate.net/publication/299800789_Integrative_Taxonomy_of_Southeast_Asian_Snail-eating_Turtles_Geoemydidae_Malayemys_Reveals_a_New_Species_and_Mitochondrial_Introgression
ResearchGate.net/publication/299800256_Diversity_in_Southeast_Asian_Snail-eating_Turtles_Geoemydidae_Malayemys_implications_for_phylogeography_and_taxonomy

[Herpetology • 2016] Malayemys isan | เต่านาอีสาน | Isan Snail-eating Turtle • A New Snail-eating Turtle of the Genus Malayemys Lindholm, 1931 (Geoemydidae) from Thailand and Laos

เต่านาอีสาน |  Malayemys isan  

Sumontha, Brophy, Kunya, Wiboonatthapol & Pauwels, 2016  siamensis.org |  TAPROBANICA. 8(1)

Abstract

We describe a snail-eating turtle, Malayemys isan sp. nov., from the Mekong River Basin in northeastern Thailand (Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai and Udon Thani provinces) and the adjacent Vientiane area in Laos. The new species is readily distinguishable from M. subtrijuga by its two (vs. six to nine) nasal stripes, and from both M. subtrijuga and M. macrocephala by its thin, often discontinuous, infraorbital stripe that never reaches the loreal seam. This geographically-restricted new species is sold in several food markets throughout the species' distribution and is in urgent need of conservation measures.

Keywords: Aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity, herpetofauna, Mekong, snail-eating turtle

เต่านาอีสาน |  Malayemys isan  

Sumontha, Brophy, Kunya, Wiboonatthapol & Pauwels, 2016

siamensis.org 

Diagnosis: The new species is a medium-sized Malayemys species reaching a maximum carapace length of at least 152 mm in males and 206 mm in females, characterized by the consistent combination of (1) only two nasal stripes, (2) a thin, often discontinuous, infraorbital stripe that never reaches the loreal seam, (3) an uninterrupted supraorbital stripe, and (4) the absence of stripes or light spots between the infra- and supraorbital stripes.

การจำแนกชนิด: มีขีดสีขาวที่จมูก 2 ขีด แต่ละเส้นมักไม่ชนริมฝีปาก เส้นสีขาวที่ผ่านแนวใต้ตาโค้งขึ้นเล็กน้อยถึงระดับหลังจมูก ไม่ชนเส้นขาวที่ผ่านขอบบนของหัว ไม่มีเส้น/ขีดสีขาวระหว่างเส้นสีขาวที่ผ่านเหนือตาและใต้ตาในส่วนที่อยู่หลังตา ส่วนท้ายของกระหม่อมเป็นเส้นโค้งไปทางท้ายทอยชัดเจนและไม่เป็นมุมป้านยื่นไป สีท้องโดยรวมมีพื้นที่สีดำเข้มมากกว่าเต่านาชนิดอื่นๆ โดยเฉพาะเต่านาวัยเด็ก

siamensis.org

Etymology: “Isan”  is a Thai word designating the northeastern region of Thailand, where the type locality of the new species lies. It is here used as a noun in apposition, invariable.
We suggest the following common names: เต่านาอีสาน, Tao na Isan (Thai), Isan Snail-eating Turtle (English), Isan-Schneckenfresser (German), and Malayémyde d’Isan (French).

Distribution and natural history: The species is nocturnal, aquatic and lives in shallow, stagnant or slow-moving freshwater bodies. The type series was collected in the Lampaniang River, which is part of the Nam Phong River system. The river has its source near Ban Na Klang and runs N-NE along Regional Roads 2097-2098-2020 towards Tha Bo District in Nong Khai Province where it flows into the Mekong marking the boundary between Thailand and Laos. The Malayemys macrocephala-morphotype from northeastern Thailand, mentioned without further details by Claude & Naksri (2014), is probably referrable to Malayemys isan sp. nov. We also refer the individual illustrated by Stuart & Platt (2004: 135: fig. 18), from Vientiane Municipality, Laos and identified by them as a M. subtrijuga, to the new taxon based on its lateral head color pattern showing a thin infraorbital stripe ending below the loreal seam. Kubota et al. (2015: 23) illustrated (under the name M. subtrijuga) a group of Malayemys isan sp. nov. on sale among snails in Thong Khan Kham market in Vientiane. Tha Bo is about 15 airline km south of Vientiane, and about 65 airline km from the type locality of Malayemys isan sp. nov. One can expect that the new species occurs in the entire river between Na Klang and Tha Bo districts. Typical Malayemys macrocephala and M. subtrijuga were also found on sale in the food markets of the Vientiane area by Suzuki et al. (2015). These authors suggested two possibilities for the occurrence of M. macrocephala in Vientiane markets: that individuals were imported from Thailand or Malaysia, or that the species occurs in Laos. In any case, the individual Suzuki et al. (2015) illustrated in their figure 2C is indeed a M. macrocephala, showing four nasal stripes and an infraorbital stripe reaching the loreal seam. There is a possibility that the live individual illustrated by Stuart & Platt (2004) was an escapee from a market. However, it was caught in the wild while crossing a road near a culvert in May 1999 (i.e. a typical habitat for Malayemys) and, zoogeographically speaking, Vientiane is immediately adjacent to the distributional area of Malayemys isan sp. nov. in Thailand. In addition to the series from Ban Na Klang, we observed individuals in ditches in Nong Bua Lamphu, Muang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province and in Udon Thani, Muang District, Udon Thani Province. In Nong Bua Lamphu, the turtles were found in a muddy field flooded with shallow, transparent water, in strict syntopy with the freshwater snakes Homalopsis nigroventralis Deuve, 1970 and Hypsiscopus plumbeus (Boie, 1827) (Homalopsidae) (see Figs. 4, 8, 9A). The broad and flat triturating surface of the upper jaw is an indication that, similar to the other members of this genus, the new species is a specialized snail-eater. In fact, some individuals we kept in captivity readily consumed the indigenous freshwater snail Filopaludina martensi (Frauenfeld, 1864) (Gastropoda: Viviparidae) and exotic freshwater snails of the genus Pomacea Perry, 1810 (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae). This new turtle species is sold in large numbers in the food markets of Ban Na Klang, Nong Bua Lamphu and Udon Thani (MS, pers. obs.; Figs. 9, 10).

.Montri Sumontha, Timothy R. Brophy, Kirati Kunya, Suthep Wiboonatthapol and Olivier S. G. Pauwels. 2016.  A New Snail-eating Turtle of the Genus Malayemys Lindholm, 1931 (Geoemydidae) from Thailand and Laos.  TAPROBANICA. 8(1); 1–9. 

http://taprobanica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1_malayemysisan_spnov_sumonthaetal_taprobanica_8_1_1-9.pdf
ResearchGate.net/publication/299431333_A_new_Snail-eating_Turtle_of_the_genus_Malayemys_Lindholm_1931_Geoemydidae_from_Thailand_and_Laos

[Testudology • 2009] Leaf Turtle Species Cyclemys gemeli (Testudines: Geoemydidae) | Further Specimens from North-eastern India and Phylogenetic Position

Abstract

We describe external morphology and habitat of ten specimens of Cyclemys gemeli, a recently discovered leaf turtle species from north-eastern India, previously known only from its incomplete holotype and photos of a live female. Further, we assess the phylogenetic position of C. gemeli using sequence data of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene as well as of three nuclear DNA fragments (C-mos, Rag2 genes, intron 1 of R35 gene) and confirm its genetic distinctiveness. Mitochondrial data strongly suggest a sister group relationship of C. gemeli and C. fusca, another species occurring in Myanmar. According to our new records, the Naga Hills and the Arakan Mts could constitute the geographical divide between C. gemeli and C. fusca. Morphologically, C. gemeli resembles other dark-bellied Cyclemys species and determination by external morphology alone is quite difficult.

Key words: India, Myanmar, Cyclemys fusca, Cyclemys gemeli, molecular phylogenetics

 Praschag, Peter; Hundsdörfer, Anna K.; Fritz, Uwe. 2009. Further Specimens and Phylogenetic Position of the recently described Leaf Turtle Species Cyclemys gemeli (Testudines: Geoemydidae). Zootaxa. 29 (37). http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/zt02008p037.pdf

Fritz, U.; D Guicking, M Auer, R. S Sommer, M Wink, A. K Hundsdörfer. 2008. Diversity of the Southeast Asian Leaf Turtle genus Cyclemys: how many leaves on its tree of life? Zoologica Scripta. 37(4), 367–390. doi:  10.1111/j.1463-6409.2008.00332.x. 

[Testudology • 2008] Diversity of the Southeast Asian Leaf Turtle genus Cyclemys: How many leaves on its tree of life?

Fig. 9 A–E. Ventral aspects of hatchlings of Cyclemys spp.
(A) Cyclemys atripons (Chanthaburi, Thailand; paratype); (B) C. dentata (Palawan, Philippines); (C) C. pulchristriata (Phuc Son, central Vietnam; holotype); (D) C. enigmatica (western Nias, Indonesia; paratype); (E) C. oldhamii (Thailand).

Not to scale. Juvenile pattern (radiating lines along scute seams) already developing in USNM 94745. Hatchlings of C. fusca and C. gemeli unknown. — Photos: F. Höhler.

Abstract

In the present study, we use mtDNA sequence data (cyt b gene) in combination with nuclear DNA sequences (C-mos, Rag2 genes, R35 intron), nuclear genomic fingerprints (ISSR) and morphological data to reveal species diversity within the Southeast Asian leaf turtle genus Cyclemys, a morphologically difficult group comprising cryptic species. Two morphologically distinct major groupings exist, a yellow-bellied species group with three taxa (Cyclemys atripons, C. dentata, C. pulchristriata) and a dark-bellied species group. The latter contains besides the morphologically variable C. oldhamii three additional new species (C. enigmatica n. sp., C. fusca n. sp., C. gemeli n. sp.). According to mtDNA data, C. fusca and C. gemeli constitute with high support the sister group of a clade comprising all other species, indicating that the dark-bellied species are not monophyletic, despite morphological similarity. mtDNA sequences of C. enigmatica, being highly distinct in nuclear genomic markers, do not differ from the sympatric C. dentata, suggesting that the original mitochondrial genome of C. enigmatica was lost due to introgressive hybridization. Morphological discrimination of Cyclemys species is possible using multivariate methods. However, gross morphology of most dark-bellied species on the one hand and of C. atripons and C. pulchristriata on the other is so similar that reliable species determination is only possible when genetic markers are used. The high diversity within Cyclemys requires revision of the IUCN Red List Categories for leaf turtles because the former assessment was based on the wrong assumption that in the entire range of the genus occurs only a single species.

Fig. 10 Range of the genus Cyclemys (shaded) and genetically verified records of
 (1) C. atripons, (2) C. dentata, (3) C. pulchristriata, (4) C. enigmatica,
(5) C. fusca, (6) C. gemeli, (7) C. oldhamii and (8) putative C. fusca × C. oldhamii hybrid.
For C. dentata and C. enigmatica genetically not verified records are also shown (grey symbols).

Fig. 9 A–E. Ventral aspects of hatchlings of Cyclemys spp.
(A) Cyclemys atripons (USNM 94745, Khao Sabap, Chanthaburi, Thailand; paratype);
(B) C. dentata (ZMUC E56, Palawan, Philippines); (C) C. pulchristriata (Phuc Son, central Vietnam; holotype); (D) C. enigmatica (ZMA 19029:2, western Nias, Indonesia; paratype); (E) C. oldhamii (SMNS 5355:1, Thailand).

Not to scale. Juvenile pattern (radiating lines along scute seams) already developing in USNM 94745. Hatchlings of C. fusca and C. gemeli unknown. — Photos: F. Höhler.

Fritz, U.; D Guicking, M Auer, R. S Sommer, M Wink, A. K Hundsdörfer. 2008. Diversity of the Southeast Asian Leaf Turtle genus Cyclemys: How many leaves on its tree of life? Zoologica Scripta. 37(4), 367–390. doi:  10.1111/j.1463-6409.2008.00332.x. 

http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Articles/Fritz_etal_2008a.pdf

Louise Durkin, Markus Handschuh, Keo Sovannak, Lizzy Ward, Nikki Hulse and Alistair Mould. 2010. Discovery of a hitherto unknown breeding population of the Asian leaf turtle Cyclemys aff. atripons in Phnom Kulen National Park, northwestern Cambodia.Cambodian Journal of Natural History. 2010 (1) 15-17
http://www.accb-cambodia.org/en/Discovery%20of%20Cyclemys%20in%20PKNP_ACCB%20-%20Durkin%20et%20al.pdf

[Testudology • 2004] Malayemys macrocephala & M. subtrijuga | Geographic variation and systematics in the south-east Asian turtles of the genus Malayemys (Testudines: Bataguridae)

Malayemys macrocephala (Gray, 1859) from the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong river basins, coastal areas of south-eastern Thailand, and the Malay Peninsula

Malayemys subtrijuga (Schlegel and Müller, 1844)  from the Mekong River Basin

Geographic variation was studied in the south-east Asian turtles of the genus Malayemys (Testudines: Bataguridae). Discriminant function analysis of head-stripe and shell characters reveals a clear pattern of geographic variation that is consistent with the topography of south-east Asia and the poor dispersal abilities of these turtles. Two phenotypically and morphologically distinct groups of Malayemys occur allopatrically in lowland areas of mainland south-east Asia, and my data concludes that each should be recognized as a distinct species. Turtles from the Mekong River Basin retain the name Malayemys subtrijuga (Schlegel and Müller, 1844), whereas those from the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong river basins, coastal areas of south-eastern Thailand, and the Malay Peninsula are assigned the name Malayemys macrocephala (Gray, 1859).  Malayemys macrocephala has four or fewer nasal stripes (99%) and an infraorbital stripe that is relatively wide at the loreal seam (98% of InfSW/HW=0.07-0.18) and does not extend or extends only slightly superior to the loreal seam (96%). Conversely, M. subtrijuga has six or more nasal stripes (89%) and an infraorbital stripe that is relatively narrow at the loreal seam (92% of InfSW/HW=0.02-0.06), extends completely superior to the loreal seam (96%), and usually joins the supraorbital stripe (64%). Female M. macrocephala also have relatively longer AnL and relatively shorter Vert5L and PecL than M. subtrijuga. Similarly, male M. macrocephala have relatively longer PPLL and AbdL, relatively shorter Pleu1L and PecL, and greater RLatK values than M. subtrijuga. Both species are potentially threatened by overcollection and habitat destruction, and should be protected as separate taxa of concern. In addition, discriminant function analysis of shell and head-stripe characters suggests that M. subtrijuga on Java are derived by human intervention primarily from the Mekong River Basin.

Keywords: Testudines, systematics, Mekong, Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, Malayemys subtrijuga, Malayemys macrocephala.

Brophy, T. R. 2004. Geographic variation and systematics in the south-east Asian turtles of the genus Malayemys (Testudines: Bataguridae). Hamadryad. 29:63-79. 

http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1057&context=bio_chem_fac_pubs

[Testudology • 2011] Interspecific hybridization between Mauremys reevesii and Mauremys sinensis: Evidence from morphology and DNA sequence data

Figure 1. Specimen images of the three suspected hybrids (Hy1, Hy2, Hy3) and the putative parental species (pp1: Mauremys sinensis; pp2: Mauremys reevesii) 

Turtle hybrids have been found in some taxa, but so far, studies on interspecific hybridization between Mauremy reevesii and  Mauremy sinensis have not been reported. Recently, we obtained three specimens (Hy1, Hy2, Hy3) with unusual morphological characteristics from pet trade Market, which are suspected to be hybrids rather than new species, because they were morphologies intermediate between M. reevesii and  M. sinensis. In further study, we analyzed two aspects; morphological characteristics and molecular data, separately. The morphological characteristics showed that the pattern of the carapace, the plastron and neck stripes of the three specimens was between that of M. reevesii and M. sinensis (the morphological features of Hy1 and Hy2 have more resemblance with those of  M. sinensis, and those of Hy3 have more resemblance with those of M. reevesii). In molecular analyses, two mitochondrial genes (12S, cytb) and two nuclear genes (RAG-1, R35) were respectively cloned from each suspected specimen. One sequence was obtained for each mitochondrial gene, while two different sequences were obtained for each nuclear gene. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that mitochondrial genes sequences from each suspected specimen clustered into the corresponding sequences of their putative female parents, while the two pairs nuclear parental alleles sequences were strongly paraphyletic, for they were included in two different genetic lineages (M. reevesii and  M. sinensis). Therefore, we concluded that the three suspected specimens are hybrids (Hy1 and Hy2:  M. reevesii ♂ ×  M. sinensis ♀ ; Hy3: M. sinensis ♂ ×  M. reevesii ♀). It is the first report that interspecies hybridization of M. reevesii and M. sinensis can cross completely. 

Key words: Mauremys reevesii, Mauremys sinensis, hybridization, morphology, DNA sequence.  

Xingquan Xia, Ling Wang, Liuwang Nie, Zhengfeng Huang, Yuan Jiang, Wanxing Jing and 

Luo Liu. 2011. Interspecific hybridization between Mauremys reevesii and Mauremys sinensis: Evidence from morphology and DNA sequence data. African Journal of Biotechnology. 10(35), 6716-6724. 

http://www.academicjournals.org/ajb/PDF/pdf2011/13Jul/Xia%20et%20al.pdf

[Testudology • 2005] On the hybridisation between two distantly related Asian turtles (Testudines: Sacalia × Mauremys)

Fig. 1. Sacalia quadriocellata × Mauremys reevesii hybrids. A) Living specimen in the care of JFP showing head coloration including detail of “eye spots” and malar region; B) same specimen in ventral view; C) The specimen sequenced in this study (MVZ 241502) in ventral view.

Abstract

This is the first report of a hybridisation between Sacalia and Mauremys (Bataguridae). New data and a review of the literature show that 19 batagurid hybridisations are documented. Many more undoubtedly exist, but have not been documented and reported. Most hybrids are members of the Cuora + Mauremys clade and 17 of 19 reported hybrids have at least one member from this clade. The Sacalia × Mauremys hybridisation reported here is only the third hybridisation between a species of the Cuora + Mauremys clade and a species outside of that clade.

Key words. Bataguridae: Mauremys, Sacalia; hybrids.

Buskirk, James R.; Parham, James F. & Feldman, Chris R. 2005. On the hybridisation between two distantly related Asian turtles (Testudines: Sacalia × Mauremys). Salamandra. 41: 21-26.

http://wolfweb.unr.edu/~ophis/Feldman_Lab/Publications_files/Buskirk%2605-SAL.pdf

[Testudology • 2004] An Ocadia sinensis x Cyclemys shanensis hybrid (Testudines: Geoemydidae)

Fig: The captive bred Ocadia sinensis x Cyclemys shanensis hybrid, September 2003 (11 months old). The roofed, distinctly tricarinate shell and the serrated posterior marginals resemble Cyclemys spp. The neck and facial stripes as well as the plastral pattern are similar to O. sinensis. The plastral pattern was more contrasting as a hatchling and has faded during growth. Photos: F. Höhler.

Abstract

A captive bred Ocadia sinensis x Cyclemys shanensis hybrid is described. Its hybrid status was confirmed by a comparison of a 1036 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene with the putative mother (C. shanensis) and genomic ISSR fingerprinting. This is the first report of an intergeneric hybrid between very distantly related geoemydid turtles. All previous geoemydid intergeneric hybrids have been crossings within or between two sister clades containing the currently accepted genera (Chinemys, Mauremys, Ocadia) and (Cuora, Pyxidea).

Key words: Cyclemys, Ocadia, testudines, intergeneric hybrid.

Schilde, Maik, Dana Barth and Uwe Fritz 2004. An Ocadia sinensis x Cyclemys shanensis hybrid (Testudines: Geoemydidae). Asiatic Herpetological Research. 10: 120-125

http://www.asiatic-herpetological.org/Archive/Volume%2010/10_11.pdf