Climatic niche modelling and genetic analyses highlight conservation priorities for the Spotted Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus variegatus)

M. Le, Dennis Rödder, T. Nguyen, Cuong The Pham, T. Nguyen, A. Ong, Timothy E. M. McCormack, Thang Tai Nguyen, Mai Huyen Le, H. T. Ngo, Thomas Ziegler
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Abstract

The Spotted Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus variegatus) has been recognised since 2019 from Vietnam and Hainan Island, China, but little information about its population status and distribution range is currently available. The species has been provisionally listed as Critically Endangered by the Turtle and Tortoise Working Group, although the status has not been officially accepted by the IUCN, due to the threats the species is facing, including habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation for food, competition with other non-native softshell turtles and pollution. To identify conservation priority sites for P. variegatus in mainland Indochina, this study combines molecular analyses and species distribution modelling. Our results show that, in Vietnam, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has the largest suitable area and high probability of species occurrence, followed by Vu Quang National Park and Song Thanh and Ke Go Nature Reserves. In addition, the central provinces, from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue in Vietnam, constitute a key part of the species distribution and should be prioritised for conservation actions. According to the study’s findings, although P. variegatus is possibly found in Laos, the probability decreases sharply at the border between both countries and there is also a gap in the occurrence of wetlands, arguing for strong natural barriers. Unfortunately, to date, only part of the species potential distribution is protected, while no records are known from protected areas, highlighting the need for extended or even new reserves. To recover natural populations of the species and following the IUCN’s One Plan Approach to Conservation, breeding programmes have been established in Vietnam with a potential to expand to other facilities in the country and abroad. Once suitable sites are identified, offspring can be released into the protected areas to improve the current conservation status of this highly-threatened softshell turtle.
气候生态位建模和遗传分析凸显斑纹软壳龟(Pelodiscus variegatus)的保护重点
斑纹软壳龟(Pelodiscus variegatus)自 2019 年起在越南和中国海南岛被确认,但目前有关其种群状况和分布范围的信息很少。由于该物种面临的威胁,包括栖息地丧失和退化、过度开发食物、与其他非本地软壳龟的竞争以及污染,龟鳖工作组已将该物种暂时列为极度濒危物种,尽管世界自然保护联盟尚未正式接受这一地位。为了确定印度支那大陆变色龟的优先保护地点,本研究结合了分子分析和物种分布模型。研究结果表明,在越南,丰芽-金边国家公园(Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park)拥有最大的适宜区域和较高的物种出现概率,其次是武广国家公园(Vu Quang National Park)、松青自然保护区(Song Thanh Nature Reserves)和Ke Go自然保护区(Ke Go Nature Reserves)。此外,从清化省到顺化省的中部省份是物种分布的关键地区,应优先采取保护措施。研究结果表明,虽然老挝可能发现了变色龙,但在两国边境的可能性急剧下降,湿地的出现也存在差距,这说明老挝有强大的天然屏障。遗憾的是,迄今为止,该物种的潜在分布区只有一部分受到保护,而保护区内没有任何记录,这突出表明有必要扩大甚至建立新的保护区。为了恢复该物种的自然种群,并遵循世界自然保护联盟的 "一个计划保护方法",越南已经建立了繁殖计划,并有可能扩展到国内外的其他设施。一旦找到合适的地点,就可以将后代放归保护区,以改善这种濒临灭绝的软壳龟目前的保护状况。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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