2016-12-23T18:52:10

Of the 10,272 currently recognized reptile species, the trade of fewer than 8% are regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the European Wildlife Trade Regulations (EWTR). However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List has assessed 45% of the world's reptile species and determined that at least 1390 species are threatened by “biological resource use”. Of these, 355 species are intentionally targeted by collectors, including 194 non-CITES-listed species. Herein we review the global reptile pet trade, its impacts, and its contribution to the over-harvesting of species and populations, in light of current international law. Findings are based on an examination of relevant professional observations, online sources, and literature (e.g., applicable policies, taxonomy [reptile database], trade statistics [EUROSTAT], and conservation status [IUCN Red List]). Case studies are presented from the following countries and regions: Australia, Central America, China, Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Germany, Europe, India, Indonesia (Kalimantan), Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Madagascar, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Western Africa, and Western Asia. The European Union (EU) plays a major role in reptile trade. Between 2004 and 2014 (the period under study), the EU member states officially reported the import of 20,788,747 live reptiles. This review suggests that illegal trade activities involve species regulated under CITES, as well as species that are not CITES-regulated but nationally protected in their country of origin and often openly offered for sale in the EU. Further, these case studies demonstrate that regulations and enforcement in several countries are inadequate to prevent the overexploitation of species and to halt illegal trade activities. (Résumé d'auteur

The bigheaded Pantanal swamp turtle, Acanthochelys macrocephala (Family Chelidae), is a medium-sized aquatic turtle (carapace length to 295 mm), endemic to the Pantanal and Chaco ecoregions of Brazil, Bolivia, and northern Paraguay. It has a limited distribution in the upper Río Paraguai drainage and is apparently restricted to the swampy lowlands of the Pantanal and the arid plains of the northern Chaco. The species inhabits marshes, wetland areas, shallow bays and brackish lagoons (salinas), as well as opportunistically utilizing ephemeral waterbodies, including roadside drainage ditches and farm irrigation reservoirs and artificial ponds in pasturelands (tajamares). Population levels appear relatively robust at present and the species is not uncommon, but ongoing patterns of habitat loss in the Chaco, combined with climate change leading to increased aridity and threat to ephemeral water resources potentially threaten the species, and it is currently categorized as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. distribution.-Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay. Distributed in the upper Río Paraguai drainage, in the Pantanal ecoregion encompassing parts of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil, eastern Bolivia, and northern Paraguay, and in the Chaco ecoregion of southern Bolivia and northern and central Paraguay. synonyMy.-Platemys macrocephala Rhodin, Mittermeier, and McMorris 1984, Acanthochelys macrocephala, Phrynops chacoensis Fritz and Pauler 1992, Acanthochelys chacoensis, Mesoclemmys chacoensis. subspecies.-None currently recognized. stAtus.

The Chaco Side-necked Turtle, Acanthochelys pallidipectoris (Family Chelidae), is a small to medium-sized freshwater turtle (carapace length to ca. 180 mm), endemic to the Chaco ecoregion of Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Its distribution is restricted to the temporarily flooded marshes and lowlands of dry shrub forest with impenetrable soils. The only record outside of the dry Chaco, in Mendoza, Argentina, is likely of anthropogenic origin. The activity period is very short (4-6 months a year), and populations consist of few animals. The species is threatened by habitat loss combined with climatic change leading to increased aridity and diminished ephemeral water resources. The species is currently categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List based on a 1996 evaluation, but has recently been provisionally reassessed as Endangered. disTribuTion.-Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay. Endemic to the Chaco ecoregion of southern Bolivia, western Paraguay, and northern Argentina. synonymy.-Platemys pallidipectoris Freiberg 1945, Acanthochelys pallidipectoris. subsPecies.-None currently recognized. sTaTus.-IUCN 2011 Red List: Vulnerable (VU A1c, D1) (assessed 1996, needs updating); TFTSG Draft 2011: Endangered; CITES: Not Listed.

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