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

Abstract

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.

Assessing the diet of the endangered Beale’s eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei) using faecal content and stable isotope analyses: Implications for conservation

“…Consequently, S. bealei is now categorized as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List (Horne, Poole & Walde, 2012). While recent investigations revealed the species’ habitat use (Hu et al, 2016) and reproductive biology (Lin et al, 2018), much about the ecology of S. bealei remains unknown. This study assessed the diet of two wild S. bealei populations in Hong Kong as part of a continuing territory‐wide survey that began in 2009.…”