Asian leaf turtle

The Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata) is a species of turtle found in Southeast Asia. They are quite common in the pet trade; their carapaces resemble that of a Cuora amboinensis hybrid.

This article is about the species. For the genus collectively known as 'Asian leaf turtles', see Cyclemys.

Asian leaf turtle
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Superfamily: Testudinoidea
Family: Geoemydidae
Genus: Cyclemys
Species:
C. dentata
Binomial name
Cyclemys dentata
(Gray, 1831)
Cyclemys dentata range map
Synonyms[3]
  • Emys hasseltii Boie, 1826 (nomen nudum)
  • Emys dhor Gray, 1831
  • Emys hasselti Boie, 1831 (ex errore)
  • Cyclemys orbiculata Bell, 1834
  • Cistudo diardii Duméril & Bibron, 1835
  • Clemmys (Clemmys) hasseltii Boie, 1835
  • Cistudo (Cyclemys) dentata Gray, 1844
  • Emys diardii Schlegel, 1849
  • Cyclemys dentata Gray, 1856
  • Cyclemys bellii Gray, 1863
  • Cyclemys ovata Gray, 1863
  • Cistudo orbiculata Giebel, 1866
  • Cyclemys dhor Gray, 1870
  • Cistudo diardi Smith, 1931 (ex errore)
  • Cyclemys belli Smith, 1931 (ex errore)
  • Cyclemis dentata Goode, 1967
  • Cyclemys ovala Taylor, 1970 (ex errore)
  • Cyclemys dentata dentata Bonin, Devaux & Dupré, 1996
  • Cyclemys dentate Zhou, 2006 (ex errore)

Feeding

This species is omnivorous and feeds on vegetation and fruits, and also mollusks, crustaceans and fish. It is also known to be scavenger and very often seen to take carrion.

Behavior

The Asian leaf turtle is quite elusive and sighting is uncommon.[4] It is not strong swimmer preferring instead to walk on the bottom of a body of water rather than swimming freely. According to Das, the adult spends its nights on land and moves to water during the day.[5] It will squirt its digestive system contents when it feels threatened.[6]

Size

Asian leaf turtles can grow 6 to 9.5 inches (15 to 24 cm) long and 4.5 to 6.5 inches in width.

Distribution

The turtle can be found in North India, North-east India (Manipur), Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, West Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Bali), Philippines (Palawan: Calamian Islands etc.), and China.[7]

This species is found up to 1,200 m of elevation, but the depth range is unknown.[8]

References
  1. As-singkily, M.; Guntoro, J.; Kusrini, M.D.; Schoppe, S. (2021). "Cyclemys dentata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T195849722A2929066. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T195849722A2929066.en.
  2. "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  3. Fritz Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 220. ISSN 1864-5755. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  4. "Asian Leaf Terrapin – Cyclemys dentata". ecologyasia.com. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  5. "Cyclemys Care – The Leaf Turtles – Chris Tabaka and Darrell Senneke". chelonia.org. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  6. Virata, John (20 October 2015). "Philippine Authorities Arrest 3 For Possessing Threatened Turtles". Reptiles Magazine. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  7. "Cyclemys dentata". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  8. "Cyclemys dentata". Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  • Farkas B.; Gyurján I. (1998). "Geographic Distribution. Cyclemys dentata". Herpetological Review. 29 (1): 50.
  • Fritz U.; Gaulke M.; Lehr E. (1997). "Revision der südostasiatischen Dornschildkröten-Gattung Cyclemys Bell 1834, mit Beschreibung einer neuen Art". Salamandra. 33 (3): 183–212.
  • Gaulke Maren (1995). "On the distribution of Emydid turtles and the Anuran genus Microhyla in the Philippines Asiatic". Herpetological Research. 6: 49–52. doi:10.5962/bhl.part.7986.
  • Gaulke Maren; Fritz Uwe (1998). "Distribution patterns of batagurid turtles in the Philippines (Testudines: BataguridaCuora, Cyclemys, Heosemys)". Herpetozoa. 11 (1/2): 3–12.
  • Gray, J.E. 1857 Notice of some Indian tortoises (including the description of a new species presented to the British Museum by Professor Oldham). Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (2) 19: 342-344
  • Gray, J.E. 1864 Observations on the box tortoises, with the description of three new Asiatic species. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (3) 13: 105-111
  • Gray, J.E. 1873 On the original form, development, and cohesion of the bones of the sternum of chelonians; with notes on the skeleton of Sphargis. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (4) 11: 161-172
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