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.
Highlights
The reproductive biology of a species is an important component of its overall life history strategy (Gibbons, 1982)
Understanding reproductive ecology is important for turtle management and conservation (Tucker & Moll, 1997; Horne et al, 2003)
Many turtle species spend less than three hours out of water during the nesting process (Doody et al, 2009; Booth, 2010)
Summary
The reproductive biology of a species is an important component of its overall life history strategy (Gibbons, 1982). Understanding reproductive ecology is important for turtle management and conservation (Tucker & Moll, 1997; Horne et al, 2003). Studies of turtle reproductive ecology have revealed important direct and indirect effects on fitness and demography (Bobyn & Brooks, 1994; Weisrock & Janzen, 1999; Valenzuela, 2001; Spencer & Thompson, 2003; Janzen, Tucker & Paukstis, 2007). The Beal’s-eyed Turtle (Sacalia bealei), endemic to southeastern China, is distributed in Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Anhui, Guizhou, Jiangxi Provinces, and Hong Kong (Shi et al, 2008). It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List (van Dijk et al, 2012) and Appendix II of CITES. Due to illegal poaching and trade, S. bealei has become extremely rare in the field
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