Non-marine turtle plays important functional roles in Indonesian ecosystems

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Herpetology

Background:

• The Southeast Asian box turtle (Cuora amboinensis) is a vulnerable species, heavily exploited globally for food, traditional medicine, and the pet trade.
• Despite its ecological and economic significance, its role in ecosystems remains poorly understood.
• Research is needed to clarify the ecological contributions of this species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the trophic breadth of Cuora amboinensis.
• To assess its capacity for seed dispersal between aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
• To determine if seed ingestion by this turtle enhances germination.

Main Methods:

• Dietary analysis of 200 individual turtles.
• Seed passage and germination experiments.
• Radio-tracking of turtles to determine movement patterns.

Main Results:

• Cuora amboinensis exhibits omnivory with an ontogenetic dietary shift and scavenges on other vertebrates.
• Turtles dispersed seeds 70–313 m, potentially facilitating inter-ecosystem dispersal.
• Ingestion enhanced germination for four of six tested plant species, including two ecologically and economically important ones.

Conclusions:

• Cuora amboinensis plays a significant role in seed dispersal and plant community dynamics.
• Conservation of this species is crucial for maintaining ecological functions and supporting local economies.
• Understanding the ecological importance of exploited species is vital for effective conservation strategies.