Phylogeography of the Mauremys mutica complex and the implications for conservation management.

For more than three decades, the Asian turtle crisis has resulted in the decline of every native species in China. For some species, such as the yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica), wild populations have dwindled to near functional extinction. Previous studies show there is deep genetic divergence of M. mutica sensu lato between populations north and south of the Pearl River Drainage but no data to show if phylogeographic structure occurs within these two main types. In this study, we found clear phylogeographic structure. In northern types, we found two main clades, corresponding to mainland China and island clades (Taiwan and Yaeyema Islands) with uncorrected p values of 0.00-2.0% divergence in our 2353 bp concatenated mtDNA data set. For the southern types, we found three main clades corresponding to Hainan, Mainland (Vietnam/Guangxi) and the Annam pond turtle (Mauremys annamensis) with divergence ranging from 1.0-1.8% among these three groups. Moreover, the identification of northern and southern types by phenotype was roughly 98% accurate, which, coupling with the deep genetic divergence in mtDNA (5.5-6.7%) and in the 6056 bp nuDNA data set (0.16-0.37%) provide sufficient evidence for northern M. mutica to be an independent species, and individuals from the southern clade should be regarded as subspecies of M. annamensis. Finally, we provide the most comprehensive database to date which can be used to determine the region of origin for captive stock. Making the large captive populations of M. mutica, under the right conditions, potentially valuable for restocking or augmentation of wild populations.

New distributional data on Haemogregarina stepanowi (Apicomplexa) and Placobdella costata (Hirudinea) parasitising the Sicilian pond turtle Emys trinacris (Testudines)

The host-parasite system “Emys trinacris – Placobdella costata – Haemogregarina stepanowi” is known for Sicily, but scarce information is available to date about the distribution of the two parasites on the island. Therefore, an extensive sampling effort through visual census and collection and analysis of blood smears of the endemic Sicilian pond turtle E. trinacris was carried out in 46 water bodies scattered throughout mainland Sicily. Our findings revealed that the distribution of both parasites is limited to the Nebrodi area, where the infection of H. stepanowi has shown a high incidence on the local turtle populations. Our data suggest no correlation between the current distribution of the two parasite species and environmental features. The current distribution of H. stepanowi and P. costata seems not to be relictual, but rather the outcome of a recent colonisation process. Considering the possible negative impact of both H. stepanowi and P. costata on their turtle host, their long-term effect on E. trinacris should be investigated.

Pharmacokinetics of Nebulized Terbinafine in Plasma and Keratin of Northwestern Pond Turtles (Actinemys marmorata) Associated with Emydomycosis

The Northwestern pond turtle ( Actinemys marmorata ) is native to Washington State, USA and has developed a grossly evident form of shell disease affecting a large percentage of the free-ranging population in this state. Emydomyces testavorans is a novel fungus in the order Onygenales that is the presumed causative agent for shell disease in the Northwestern pond turtle. Terbinafine hydrochloride is a lipophilic allylamine broad spectrum antifungal that penetrates keratin and concentrates in the stratum corneum. This study evaluated the drug concentration in the plasma and keratin of 18 Northwestern pond turtles after nebulization with 18 mg terbinafine solution (2 mg/ml) once a day for 28 days. Blood and keratin samples were collected serially during the course of treatment, and for 14 days following the last dose. Plasma and keratin were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. No significant concentrations of terbinafine were found in the plasma of the turtles. Terbinafine in turtle keratin peaked after 16 days of treatment and maintained therapeutic concentrations for 14 days post treatment. Turtle shell lesions also showed signs of clinical improvement post-therapy. Nebulization of terbinafine is recommended for the treatment of shell disease secondary to Emydomyces testavorans , however pulse antifungal therapy is likely needed to prevent disease from reoccurring.

A case of Emys orbicularis (L.) feeding on newts from Bulgaria

Different amphibians and amphibian larvae were already observed and described as part of the diet of the European pond turtle. Few studies report body parts from adult newts in the stomach content of Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) or newts predated by the same pond turtle species. We observed remains of Triturus dobrogicus (Kiritzescu, 1903) and Trituris ivanbureschi Arntzen & Wielstra, 2013 eaten by E. orbicularis inside funnel traps, which strongly suggests, that newts are part of the diet, although not typical and often eaten food by this pond turtle.