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Octa Journal of Environmental Research Jul. – Sept., 2018 International Peer-Reviewed Journal ISSN 2321 3655 Oct. Jour. Env. Res. Vol. 6(3): 115-121 Available online http://www.sciencebeingjournal.com Review Article

CONSERVATION PLAN FOR INDIAN FLAPSHELL , punctata ( ) Ashok K Rathoure Eco Chem Sales & Services, Gujarat, *Corresponding author’s E-mail: [email protected] Received: 5th Jul. 2018 Revised: 19th Aug. 2018 Accepted: 16th Sept. 2018 Abstract: The , Lissemys punctata belongs to family Trionychidae. It is a small softshell fresh water turtle found in rivers and streams to reservoirs, marshes, ponds, lakes, and even salt marshes, rice fields, gutters, and canals, etc. Rapid development and urbanization has lost many water bodies and hence this has threat to vanished. There is a vital requirement to conserve the species in captive as well as wild. Keywords: Conservation; Flapshell Turtle; Industrial Development; Urbanization; Threat. Postal Address: Mayashivraj Sadan, Gupta Colony, Hardoi (UP) India

INTRODUCTION punctata (Family Trionychidae), is a relatively small softshell turtle with a carapace length of up Freshwater are , like snakes, to 350 mm. Three intergrading are crocodilians and lizards. They are ectothermic, or confined to the Indian subregion. Individuals are cold-blooded, meaning that their internal adaptable and durable, occurring in a variety of temperature matches that of their surroundings. aquatic habitats, ranging from rivers and streams They also have a scaly skin, enabling them, as to reservoirs, marshes, ponds, lakes, and even opposed to most , to live outside of salt marshes, rice fields, gutters, and canals in water. Also like many species, turtles lay metropolitan areas. It is common in brackish eggs (they are oviparous). But what makes them water lagoons on the east coast of India and is different to other reptiles is that turtles have a often abundant in irrigation canals and tanks and shell. This shell, composed of a carapace in the paddy fields with stagnant water. The species is back and a plastron on the belly, is made of bony not plentiful in the main channels of rivers or in plates. These bones are covered by horny scutes large canals, but seems to prefer relatively made of keratin (like human fingernails) or shallow waters. Lissemys punctata is omnivorous leathery skin, depending on the species. The and can survive periods of drought by estivating shell is considered perhaps the most efficient for a long time on land. Nesting generally occurs form of armour in the kingdom, as adult in late summer and extends into the monsoon turtles are very likely to survive from one year to season, July through November. Clutch size the next. Indeed, turtles have an impressively varies from 4–15 eggs, which generally have a long life for such small . Our freshwater prolonged incubation period of >300 days. turtles come in a variety of shapes, colours and Despite extensive exploitation by man as a food sizes. In some species, adult males are smaller source for many years, these turtles are still fairly than adult females, or the reverse, but most common and seem to be holding their own, with species show very little , so populations relatively stable. males and females are almost identical. Typically, freshwater turtles are smaller than their The specific status of L. punctata has not marine counterparts and their looks are more been questioned since the original description, varied. The Indian Flapshell Turtle, Lissemys but the species has been recognized by several

Octa Journal of Environmental Research Rathoure, 2018; Conservation Plan for Indian Flapshell Turtle, Lissemys punctata (Family Trionychidae) different name combinations. Several authors granosus, Cryptopus granosus, Emyda granosa, assigned the species to the . Gray Emyda granosa granosa, Lissemys punctata (1831) proposed Emyda for this species and granosa, Trionyx punctatus granosus, Duméril and Bibron (1835) changed the generic granulata Daudin 1801, Trionyx coromandelicus and specific names, using Cryptopus granosus, Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire 1809, Emyda dura the specific name stemming from Schoepff’s Anderson 1876. (1801) name Testudo granosa. The name Emyda Sub species: Currently three subspecies are granosa became entrenched as the name for the recognized: Indian Flapshell Turtle in the literature for a while i) Lissemys punctata punctata (Southern Indian through its use by Boulenger (1889), Siebenrock Flapshell Turtle) (distribution: southern (1902, 1909) and Annandale (1912). peninsular India [Kerala, Tamil Nadu]); Distribution: , India, , ii) Lissemys punctata andersoni (Spotted , distributed in the Indian Northern Indian Flapshell Turtle) (synonymy: subregion from the Indus basin of Pakistan Lissemys punctate andersoni Webb 1980, through India, Nepal and Bangladesh to Lissemys andersoni) (distribution: Bangladesh, northeast India and extreme western Myanmar. northern India [Assam, Bihar, Haryana, Jammu, Populations on formerly considered to Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, , Sikkim, belong to this species have recently been Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal], Myanmar, Nepal, recognized as the distinct species L. ceylonensis. Pakistan); Turtles having morphologically intermediate iii) Lissemys punctata vittata (Central Indian patterns on the head and carapace generally Flapshell Turtle) (synonymy: Emyda vittata occur across northern India, mostly south of the Peters 1854, Emyda granosa vittata, Lissemys River drainage. Reported intergrades punctata vittata, Emyda granosa intermedia between L. p. andersoni and L. p. vittata are Annandale 1912) (distribution: central India known from the states of Bihar, West Bengal, [Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Orissa, and Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and the Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kathiwar peninsula, Gujarat. Rashid and Khan Orissa, Rajasthan]). (2000) reported the unspotted subspecies as Appearance: While most freshwater turtles have uncommon in southern Bangladesh. Lissemys p. hard boney shells, three species known as vittata occurs naturally in the south and softshell turtles have fleshy shells adapted for southwest of Bangladesh, but their numbers are swimming. Turtle shells provide protection from very low (<1%) and L. p. andersoni is quite predators. Femoral flaps and nasal septal ridges common there. In analyzing mitochondrial DNA are present. Shell closure (femoral flaps and sequences, a spotted L. p. andersoni specimen moveable anterior plastral lobe) allows for from the Subanarekha River, Orissa, India, complete concealment of head, neck, and limbs showed the same haplotype as an unspotted L. and thus protection from predators and p. vittata and five specimens of unspotted desiccation. specimens from Chilka Lake, Orissa, conflicting Habitat and Ecology: Lissemys punctata occurs with the observed morphology. There is no in a variety of aquatic habitats, ranging from information available about intergradation rivers and streams to reservoirs, marshes, between L. p. punctata and L. p. vittata. ponds, lakes, and even salt marshes, rice fields, Synonymy: Testudo punctata Lacépède 1788 gutters, and canals in metropolitan areas. This (nomen rejectum), Testudo punctata Bonnaterre species appears to tolerate salt water conditions 1789, Trionyx (Emyda) punctatus, Trionyx well, as it is common in brackish water lagoons in punctatus, Emyda punctata, Trionyx punctata, the Sunderbans (West Bengal), Bhitarkanika Lissemys punctata, Lissemys punctata punctata, (Orissa), and Coringa (Andhra Pradesh) of the Trionyx punctatus punctatus, Testudo sonnerati east coast of India. It is often abundant in Meyer 1790, Testudo granulosa Suckow 1798, irrigation canals and tanks, and paddy fields with Testudo scabra Latreille in Sonnini and Latreille stagnant water. Turtles seem to prefer relatively 1801, Testudo granosa Schoepff 1801, Trionyx shallow waters, which may be devoid of aquatic

Oct. Jour. Env. Res. Vol 6(3):115-121 116 Rathoure, 2018; Conservation Plan for Indian Flapshell Turtle, Lissemys punctata (Family Trionychidae) vegetation, and they may spend long periods hypoplastron, and the middle prong of the shallowly buried in the mud bottoms. Turtles bask posteriomedial process of the hypoplastron on banks of rivers and ponds and on floating interdigitates with the xiphiplastron. vegetation. Activities are geared to the winter Movements and Estivation: Overland (generally November into February), summer movements occur in response to either drought (March into July), and monsoon (July into conditions, or increased water depth during the November) seasons that vary somewhat with rainy season. In the latter instance, turtles move latitude. overland into shallow pools; when these dry up Behavior: Although all turtles are air-breathing they move back into the larger, permanent sites. reptiles, aquatic turtles can hold their breath for Turtles move overland, burrow, and estivate long periods of time. All freshwater turtles lay when shallow ponds and lakes dry up in the eggs on land in holes they have dug. When the summer months (peak in May); larger sites may eggs hatch, the baby turtles (hatchlings) return to go dry in later months if drought conditions water. The bony carapace has a distinctive, persist into the monsoon seasons. Bhupathy and sandpapery or sharkskin texture, contrasting with Vijayan (1994) reported a mean depth (surface to the relatively coarsely pitted texture in most top of carapace) of 5.02 (2–10) cm (n = 304), trionychid species. The carapace has a higher density of estivation sites under bushes prenuchal bone (initially isolated but sutured to closer to dried marshes, and a density of 950 the nuchal in large adults), two neurals between estivating turtles/ha. The maximal duration of the first pair of pleurals, and a diagonally oriented estivation recorded for turtles in wild populations suture between the nuchal and the first pleural. is 160 days. The estivation-site temperature in The nuchal (ventral view) is bifid or notched on open dried marshes during midday hours may be either side. There are six to nine (usually eight) as high as 48ºC exceeding the ambient air neurals with one or two pairs of the posteriormost temperature and is higher than the critical pleurals sutured medially; the last (eighth) pair of thermal maximum of at least some other pleurals is subtriangular in shape. The rear half trionychid turtles ( spinifera aspera, of the bony carapace has posteriorly tapered and 41.05ºC, 39.9–42.3ºC, n = 10, indicating a high somewhat concave lateral margins. There is a temperature tolerance in L. punctata. Annandale series of juxtaposed but unsutured peripheral (1912) reported hibernating turtles (buried in mud elements, the anteriormost being the largest, that substrate) in ponds in winter months in the is not connected to the ribs or to the rest of the northern part of the range. Das (1991) noted carapace, and that may or may not be hibernation from November to February in homologous with the peripherals of hardshelled northern India, with males becoming inactive turtle species. The number of peripherals seems prior to females and emerging later than females. to vary ontogenetically, with the smallest number Diet: The species is an opportunistic . in the largest turtles, the reduction presumably Food items include adult frogs, tadpoles, , occurring by fusion between adjacent elements. crustaceans, molluscs, earthworms, insects, The plastron has well developed callosities on all carrion, and water plants (Das, 1991). Bhupathy bones, except that the isolated entoplastral and Vijayan (1993) quantified the diet analyzing callosity varies greatly in size, and may be scats (n = 71) and found plants (34%), insects absent. The hyo- and hypoplastra are fused on (20%), molluscs (26%), and fish (20%). The each side, without visible suture, and share a molluscs include both snails (Lymnaea, Gyrulus, very large callosity that, in large adults, is Palidomus) and bivalves. Aside from aquatic enlarged anteriorly and almost contacts the insects and larvae, the species eats terrestrial posterolateral enlargement of the epiplastral insects that may fall into the water (Orthoptera, callosity to form the lateral margin of the Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera). Aquatic carapace; thus, replacing the peripheral bones in plants consumed include grass, water lilies this area of the shell. The epiplastra are straight (Nymphoides, Nymphaea), bladderwort (not angular) and sutured to the entoplastron. A (Utricularia), and some seeds and fruits. single prong projects medially from the

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Sexual Maturity: Specific data on size and/or : Aside from human exploitation for age at attainment of sexual maturity in this food, mortality is caused by a variety of species are few. Yadava and Prasad (1982) predators. Antipredator adaptations include the reported turtles with CL < 160 mm as immature, ability to completely close the shell (concealing and males are smaller in size at maturity soft body parts), and to secrete from the two compared to females. pairs of Rathke’s glands an egg-yolk like fluid Reproduction: The reproductive cycle of L. that has an objectionable odor and presumably punctate differs according to geographic region bad taste. and it seems that it is closely correlated with Population Status: General surveys in many monsoon seasons and heavy rains. Aquatic parts of the range of the species, including mating occurs in April involving the male with several sites in India and Bangladesh have head extended circling the female, head-bobbing revealed L. punctata as common and/or the most of both sexes that face each other with necks frequently observed of any turtle species and extended, and copulation on the bottom with Das (1991) reported that it may be the most subsequent rotation of the male to face the common species in the Indian sub-region. No opposite direction. However, Bhupathy has data are available to document historic changes observed the male biting the anterior edge of the in abundance. A literature compilation indicates female’s carapace, and turtles in copula floating that this species is recorded from at least 150 at the surface. localities within India, and is common at 88, Nesting: Nesting generally occurs in late uncommon at two, with status unknown at the summer, extending into the monsoon season, remaining localities. Choudhury et al. (2000) July through November. Turtles inhabiting considered the species common and stable in perennial rivers may move through canals to find India. As approximately one third of the locality suitable nesting sites in loamy soil. Minton (1966) records are from protected areas, such as wildlife reported nest excavation (slow movement of hind sanctuaries and national parks where hunting is limbs) about seven feet from the pond edge. Das prohibited, the population status of this species (1985, 1991) reported nests 8–10 cm deep, close within India may be considered stable. to water, either under cover of thorny bushes or Threats to Survival: Lissemys punctata and its fully exposed. Sandy areas are not preferred for eggs are rather heavily exploited for food and it is nesting. Rashid and Swingland (1997) noted one of the most frequently observed species in bowl-shaped nests (15–18 cm deep), 10–30 m markets. Some 50–70 thousand are sold each from water, in backyard gardens, bamboo year (early 1980s) in the Howrah Market near groves, pond banks, and even in fallow land Kolkata. Choudhury et al. (2000) noted that L. separating paddy fields. Mishra (1986) reported a punctata was the most common Indian softshell nest depth of 23 cm (egg depth, 19 cm) in muddy in the meat trade, and that habitat loss was not a soil and 220 cm from the edge of the Chambal major concern. In 1995 in the south Indian city of River. Clutch size varies from 2–15 eggs. Larger Coimbatore, turtles weighing 2–4 kg were sold at females tend to deposit more eggs than smaller Indian Rupees 100–150. Turtles are caught by females, with egg size decreasing with increasing nets, hooks, or by hand, with burrowed turtles clutch size. The eggs are white, nearly spherical, located by probing with an iron-tipped bamboo and brittle-shelled. Minton (1966) reported egg stick. Rashid and Swingland (1997) noted turtles diameters of 24–30 mm, Rashid and Swingland were easily collected at night, when they (1997) 24–33 mm [mean 26 mm, mass 14.75 g, approach the shore in response (and seeming n = 105], Mishra (1986) 27.3 mm (n = 7, mass 11 attraction) to the search lights. Recognizing that g) and Yadav (1989) an average of 23.9 mm (n = the trade in this species, despite its wide 14, 8.75 g). Rashid and Swingland (1997) occurrence, is technically illegal, Choudhury and recorded three nests, on 26 August (28 eggs, Bhupathy (1993) reported that wildlife authorities probably two clutches), 26 December (14 eggs), had confiscated 4053 individuals in Kolkata in and 11 March (12 eggs). 1991, 2735 in 1992 and 1134 in the first three months of 1993. One kg of turtle meat in the

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Kolkata market was sold at Rs. 50. Choudhury et TFTSG Draft Red List: Least Concern (LC, al. (2000) noted that some illegal exports occur. assessed 2011) CITES: Appendix II Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act: Schedule I IUCN 2013 Red List: Least Concern (LC, assessed 2000)

Figure 1. Status on IUCN (Source: IUCN)

Figure 2. Freshwater Flapshell Turtle Many freshwater turtle species have complex developing solutions that reduce reliance on habitat requirements, requiring large and diverse management methods requiring direct human mosaics of upland, wetland, and aquatic habitats involvement such as moving nests or raising with high ecological integrity. As a consequence hatchlings in captivity. Feeding and nesting of this as well as their individual longevity and grounds must be protected, and a public wildlife marked fidelity to certain landscape features, conservation ethic must be fostered that can turtles often fall through the cracks when withstand gaps in government regulations, standard coarse filter metrics are applied to land pressure from private interests, and changes in conservation prioritization. It is necessary that the political climate. some turtle species continue to be protected Recommendations using a fine-filter approach, specifically tailored to a) Crack down on illegal trade in freshwater their unique life history characteristics and habitat turtles and their products by enforcing needs. Because of their habitat requirements and laws and agreements. localized distributions, their conservation requires b) Decrease the turtle deaths caused by coordination among many partners and an on- commercial fishing through enforcement the-ground sampling effort. of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) and gill Conservation Action Plan net regulations. To truly protect turtles around the world, many c) Protect nesting by establishing parks and different countries and cultures must cooperate refuges or through regulations combined and share responsibility. International laws and with public education initiatives. agreements, research, and the work of dedicated d) Eliminate disturbances at nesting by organizations and individuals each must play a decreasing artificial lighting, halting part. Long-term protection of turtles also means beach armoring, regulating beach

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nourishment and limiting the impacts of REFERENCES people on the nest ground. Agarwal A.K. (1987). Observations on the sexual Education programs should be implemented dimorphism in Indian freshwater to inform local populations and fishermen of the Lissemys punctata punctata. Geobios 14:277– usefulness of these turtles in consuming carrion 280. and their negligible effect as predators on active Annandale N. (1912). The Indian mud-turtles (Trionychidae). Records of the Indian Museum healthy fish (most fish-eating seems to involve 7(2)(16):151–180. dead or dying fish and carrion); although such Bhupathy S. and Vijayan, V.S. (1991). The freshwater observations need to be more thoroughly turtle fauna of Eastern Rajasthan. Journal of the documented. Some conservation effort is Bombay Natural History Society 88:118–122. required to restrict wholesale commercial Bhupathy S. and Vijayan, V.S. (1993). Aspects of the exploitation, and especially the collecting of eggs feeding ecology of Lissemys punctata (Reptilia: and gravid females during the nesting season. As Trionychidae) in Keoladeo National Park, the species thrives in captivity, a captive Bharatpur, India. Hamadryad 18:13–16. breeding program for limited commercial Bhupathy S. and Vijayan, V.S. (1994). Aestivation of exploitation might be feasible to relieve the stress turtles in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur with on wild populations. Currently, several special reference to Lissemys punctata (Reptilia: Trionychidae). Journal of the Bombay Natural infrastructure development projects such as History Society 91:398–402. highway construction are being executed in India. Boulenger, G.A. (1889). Catalogue of the Chelonians, It is suggested that appropriate plans should be Rhyncocephalians, and Crocodiles in the British made to avoid or reduce mortality of Museum (Natural History). London: Taylor and herpetofauna, including turtles. Francis, pp 311 Captive Husbandry: Lissemys punctata thrives Choudhury B.C. and Bhupathy, S. (1993). Turtle trade in captivity; thus, the species is amenable to in India: a study of and freshwater successful captive breeding programs. Artificial turtles. New Delhi: World Wildlife Fund-India incubation of eggs and hatching has been (prepared by TRAFFIC-India). accomplished at the Madras Crocodile Bank Choudhury, B.C., Bhupathy, S., and Hanfee, F. Trust (MCBT), with the last author noting the (2000). Status information on the tortoises and freshwater turtles of India. In: van Dijk, P.P., feasibility of rearing turtles in village ponds Stuart, B.L., and Rhodin, A.G.J. (Eds.). Asian because of their scavenging tendencies and Turtle Trade: Proceedings of a Workshop on subsistence on household garbage such as Conservation and Trade of Freshwater Turtles vegetable wastes. During the mid-1980s, as part and Tortoises in Asia. Chelonian Research of the Turtle Rehabilitation Project, eggs of Monographs 2:86–94. Lissemys (and other softshell turtles) were Das I. (1985). Indian Turtles. A Field Guide. Calcutta: maintained and hatched in artificial hatcheries in World Wildlife Fund-India (Eastern Region), 119 Uttar Pradesh, such as the Saranath Turtle pp. Breeding Centre, Varanasi, and at a captive Das I. (1991). Colour Guide to the Turtles and rearing center at Kukrail near Lucknow with Tortoises of the Indian Subcontinent. Portishead: ultimate release in the Ganges River. Lissemys R & A Publishing Limited, 133 pp. Duda P.L. and Gupta, V.K. (1981). Courtship and punctata is one of the most common turtles found mating behaviour of the , in Indian zoological gardens. Of the 140 Indian Lissemys punctata punctata. Proceedings of the zoos, many of them possess this species. Indian Academy of Sciences (Animal Science)

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