Lin Liu, Hu Qingru, Fong Jonathan J, Yang Jiangbo, Chen Zhongdong, Zhou Feiyu, Wang Jichao, Xiao Fanrong, Shi Haitao
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China.
Science Unit, Lingnan University, Hongkong, China.
PeerJ. 2018 Jun 14;6:e4997. doi: 10.7717/peerj.4997. eCollection 2018.
The Beal's-eyed turtle () is endemic to southeastern China and endangered due to poaching and habitat loss. Knowledge of ecology is lacking and this study provides baseline information of its reproduction in a natural environment. We studied the reproductive ecology of 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.
贝氏眼斑水龟（）原产于中国东南部，因偷猎和栖息地丧失而濒危。目前对其生态学的了解尚缺，本研究提供了其在自然环境中的繁殖基础信息。我们通过X射线、缠绕式追踪和直接观察来研究贝氏眼斑水龟的繁殖生态学。成功追踪到6只筑巢雌龟，并详细记录了它们的筑巢行为。雌龟平均窝卵数为2.2枚（范围为1 - 3枚）。硬壳卵呈椭圆形，平均长度为45.50毫米，平均宽度为23.20毫米，平均重量为14.8克。相对窝卵质量为9.47%，而相对卵质量为4.60%。平均孵化期为94.7天，平均巢温为25.08℃。幼龟平均体重为9.7克，背甲长40.1毫米，背甲宽33.3毫米，背甲高17.4毫米，腹甲长31.6毫米，腹甲宽25.4毫米。本研究结果为该濒危物种的保护计划和迁地繁殖提供了重要信息。
