Cyclemys dentata (Gray, 1831)

Figueroa, Alex, Low, Martyn E. Y. & Lim, Kelvin K. P., 2023, Singapore’s herpetofauna: updated and annotated checklist, history, conservation, and distribution, Zootaxa 5287 (1), pp. 1-378 : 77

Cyclemys dentata (Gray, 1831) — Native.

Emys dentata Gray, 1831: 20 , unnumbered errata page (between pp. 78 and 79), unnumbered pl. caption, pls. 8, 9. Lectotype: BMNH 1946.1 .22.62 (formerly 1828.5.12.1), designated by Fritz et al. (1997: 188); paralectotypes (8): BMNH 1946.1 .22.63, designated by Fritz et al. (1997: 188), OUM 8512– 13 and 8867, according to Nowak-Kemp & Fritz (2010: 11), and RMNH.RENA.6062–63, 6067, and 40474, according to Hoogmoed et al. (2010: 166); all of these specimens are listed as syntypes in Iverson (2022: 23); OUM 8512–13 are also syntypes of Cyclemys orbiculata (Nowak-Kemp & Fritz 2010: 11 ), and RMNH.RENA.6062 has been identified as C. enigmatica by Hoogmoed et al. (2010: 167). Type locality: “Bengal … Java” (= Bangladesh and Java, Indonesia); later restricted to “Java”, Indonesia by Smith (1931: 80) .

Asian Leaf Terrapin

( Figure 9C )

Singapore records.

Cyclemys dentata —K.K.P. Lim & L.M. Chou, 1990: 56.—K.K.P. Lim & F.L.K. Lim, 1992: 151.—L.M. Chou et al., 1994: 105.—van Dijk, 2000: 20.— Auliya, 2007: 46–47.—K.K.P. Lim et al., 2008: 174, 266 (Central Catchment Reserve; Western Catchment Area).—N. Baker & K.P. Lim, 2008: 122, 159.—T.H. Ng & K.K.P. Lim, 2010: 119.—N. Baker & K.P. Lim, 2012: 122, 159.—Thomas & N. Baker, 2014: 176 ( Lower Peirce Forest ).—TTWG, 2021: 221.

“ Cyclemys ” — P.K.L. Ng et al., 2011: 480.

Remarks. No publication exists recounting the first record of C. dentata from Singapore, but it first appeared in Lim & Chou’s (1990) checklist. The only published records are of an individual seen at WC in 2006, one observed at CCNR in 2007 (Lim et al. 2008), and one photographed in a stream at LPF on 1 June 2014 ( Fig. 9C) (Thomas & Baker 2014). One was also seen at NSSF on 10 December 2016 (I.S. Law pers. comm.). However, LKCNHM has two specimens from Pulau Senang dated June 1951 and MNHN has a specimen that was collected at an unknown date. As C. dentata inhabits forest streams, which are absent from Pulau Senang, the two individuals were evidently released there. There is a possibility that specimen MNHN-RA-0.1309 may be the oldest record of C. dentata from Singapore given that all of MNHN Singapore specimens were collected prior to the early 1900s. Cyclemys dentata was listed as possibly extinct from Singapore by Auliya (2007), but the above records prove that it still thrives in Singapore.

Occurrence. Restricted to a few locations in CCNR and WC. Rare.

Singapore conservation status. Critically Endangered.

Conservation priority. Highest.

IUCN conservation status. Near-Threatened [2021].

LKCNHM & NHMUK Museum specimens. Pulau Senang: ZRC.2.80–ZRC.2.81 (Jun-1951).

Additional Singapore museum specimens. Singapore (no locality): MNHN.

Singapore localities. Central Catchment Reserve—Lower Peirce Forest—Nee Soon Swamp Forest—Pulau Senang*—Western Catchment Area.

Figures

FIGURE 9. A) Batagur borneoensis, B) Cuora amboinensis, C) Cyclemys dentata, D) Heosemys grandis, E) Heosemys spinosa, F) Notochelys platynota, G) Siebenrockiella crassicollis, and H) Amyda cartilaginea. Photographs by: Marjorie Chong [A], Law Ing Sind [B], Nick Baker [C, F], Joys Tan [D], Kelvin K.P. Lim [E], Marcus A.H. Chua [G], and Alex Figueroa [H].