Molecular identification and phylosenetic position of Cuora yunnanensis

The Yunnan box turtle （Cuora yunnanensis, Boulenger, 1906）, which has drawn much attention in conservation biology, was regarded as extinct since it was previously known only from 12 specimens collected in Yunnan, China, before 1908. Recently, live specimens have been discovered which are suggested to be C. yunnanensis. To determine whether the newly discovered specimens are really C. yunnanensis, we have established a molecular phylogeny, with a 1725-bp fragment of mitochondrial DNA, using samples from three live individuals of C. yunnanensis, together with sequence data from a museum specimen of C. yunnanensis （MNHN 1907.10） and other members of the genus Cuora. We found that the three newly discovered individuals and the old museum specimen of C. yunnanensis are very similar both in morphology and in mitochondrial DNA sequence, suggesting that the three new individuals are the very C. yunnanensis, and thus the species is not extinct. Our phylogenetic analysis also demonstrates that C. yunnanensis is not of recent hybrid origin, but rather represents a distinct evolutionary lineage.     

Molecular identification and phylogenetic position of Cuora yunnanensis

The Yunnan box turtle (Cuora yunnanensis, Boulenger, 1906), which has drawn much attention in conservation biology, was regarded as extinct since it was previously known only from 12 specimens collected in Yunnan, China, before 1908. Recently, live specimens have been discovered which are suggested to be C. yunnanensis. To determine whether the newly discovered specimens are really C. yunnanensis, we have established a molecular phylogeny, with a 1725-bp fragment of mitochondrial DNA, using samples from three live individuals of C. yunnanensis, together with sequence data from a museum specimen of C. yunnanensis (MNHN 1907.10) and other members of the genus Cuora. We found that the three newly discovered individuals and the old museum specimen of C. yunnanensis are very similar both in morphology and in mitochondrial DNA sequence, suggesting that the three new individuals are the very C. yunnanensis, and thus the species is not extinct. Our phylogenetic analysis also demonstrates that C. yunnanensis is not of recent hybrid origin, but rather represents a distinct evolutionary lineage.     

广西存在安布闭壳龟的初步查考

作者于１９９１年在１９９２年两次带着安布闭壳龟的活动标本，深入上思县思阳镇，钦州市大直镇等地进行了野外调查和访问，获得安布闭壳龟的幼体背甲标本２个，一背甲标本１个。在调查中虽没获得活体标本，但两次调查所得资料表明广西的十万大山很可能生存有安布闭壳龟。     

光照强度与三线闭壳龟活动的关系

通过实验证明光照强度对三线闭壳龟的活动有很大的影响,在适宜三线闭壳龟生长的温度范围内,当光照强度在４００ｌｘ以下时,它能出洞外正常地活动;当光照逐渐增强时,其洞外活动逐渐减弱;当光照强度超过５０００ｌｘ时,则停止洞外的一切活动,躲进洞穴蛰息。采用人工方法改变环境条件,降低光照强度,可延长三线闭壳龟的洞外活动时间,加速它的生长。