Pelodiscus cf. sinensis Wiegmann, 1834

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 : 85-87

Pelodiscus cf. sinensis Wiegmann, 1834 — Non-native; Established.

Trionyx (Aspidonectes) sinensis Wiegmann, 1834: 189–195 . Lectotype: ZMB 38, designated by Stuckas & Fritz (2011: 337); ZMB 37–39 were recognised as syntypes, but ZMB 37 is apparently lost, according to Fritz et al. (1994: 171). Type locality: “kleinen Insel im Tigerflusse, dicht bei Macao” (= small island in the Tiger River near Macao), China.

Chinese Softshell Turtle

( Figure 10D )

Singapore records.

Landemania perocellata — Gray, 1873: 80.

Trionyx ? sinensis —K. Lim & F. Lim, 1988a: 28 (Mandai).

? Trionyx sinensis —K. Lim & F. Lim, 1988b: 51 (Upper Bukit Timah Road).

Trionyx sinensis —K. Lim, 1989b: 21 (Upper Peirce Reservoir).—L.M. Chou & Lam, 1989: 92.— Corlett, 1992: 418.

Pelodiscus sinensis —K. Lim, 1989h: 65 (Kranji Reservoir).—K.K.P. Lim & L.M. Chou, 1990: 56.—Yong, 1990: 27.—K.K.P. Lim & F.L.K. Lim, 1992: 137, 151.—P.K.L. Ng et al., 1993: 20, 21.—L.M. Chou et al., 1994: 105.—R. Subaraj, 1994 (Seletar North Forest [USNF]; Seletar Reservoir).— R.C.H. Teo & Rajathurai, 1997: 393, 394.—Chan-ard et al., 1999: 41.—B.L. Lim & Das, 1999: 52.—Iskandar, 2000: 92.—B.P.L. Goh et al., 2002: 145.— Anonymous, 2003: 92 (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve).— Auliya, 2007: 90–91.—T.Y. Goh & O’Riordan, 2007: 98, 99.—Ramsay et al., 2007: 165.—H.T.W. Tan et al., 2007: 193.—N. Baker & K.P. Lim, 2008: 126, 165.—P.K.A. Ng, 2009: 20, 25, 26, 64, 143, 203.— Das, 2010: 177.—T.H. Ng & Lim, 2010: 121 (Jurong Lake).— D.C.J. Yeo & C.S.W. Chia, 2010: 35.—D.C.J. Yeo et al., 2010: 194.—H.T.W. Tan et al., 2010: 251.—P.K.L. Ng et al., 2011: 462.—N. Baker & K.P. Lim, 2012: 126, 165.—K.K.P. Lim, 2014e: 264 ( Singapore Botanic Gardens).—D.L. Yong et al., 2014: 203.—H.H. Tan, 2015: 99.—W. Wong, 2017: 64.—W. Cheong, 2020: 104 (River Safari).—TTWG, 2021: 33.

Pelodiscus (= Trionyx ) sinensis —P.K.L. Ng, 1992a: 141.—P.K.L. Ng, 1992b: 141.

Remarks. Pelodiscus sinensis is a species complex native to central and eastern China, Hainan, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam, but has been introduced to at least 16 countries (TTWG 2021, Gong et al. 2018). Found commonly in Singapore’s freshwater bodies throughout the country ( Baker & Lim 2012), including the nature reserves (Teo & Rajathurai 1997), P. cf. sinensis was first reported from Singapore by Gray (1873) who examined two specimens collected by Wallace.Assuming that the locality of the Wallace specimens is accurate, these specimens represent an early introduction of P. sinensis into Singapore. These records were not recognised in subsequent publications (e.g., Boulenger 1889), except by Pope (1935) who mentioned that records from “ Singapore, Siam, the Batan Islands and even California” are “highly questionable records”. Present-day specimens of P. sinensis are believed to have been first introduced into Singapore by a farmer who ferried in hatchlings in the 1970s to farm for food (Chou & Jam 1989). Although Singapore has its own native softshell turtles, A. cartilaginea and D. subplana , farmers favour P. sinensis because of its higher fecundity and faster growth rate (Chou & Jam 1989). Thus, individuals in the wild are from escapees and intentional releases (Ng & Lim 2010). The next reported record after Gray (1873), and the first documented field observation of P. cf. sinensis , came 115 years later ( Table 2 ) when a small individual was found hiding in a rusty tin can at Mandai on 28 April 1988 ( Lim & Lim 1988a). As P. cf. sinensis is currently recognised as a species complex, and since individuals in Singapore likely originated from multiple locations, Singapore’s population may be composed of multiple species.

Occurrence. Ubiquitous. Common.

Singapore conservation status. Not Applicable.

Conservation priority. None, non-native species.

IUCN conservation status. Vulnerable [2000].

LKCNHM & NHMUK Museum specimens. Choa Chu Kang : ZRC.2.2525 (17-Mar-1986) , ZRC.2.2526– ZRC.2.2527 (08-Dec-1979) , ZRC.2.2549 (20-Jan-1987) ; Tampines Quarry Lake : ZRC.2.7305 (20-Jul-2014) ; Upper Seletar Reservoir : ZRC.2.6491 (14-Jun-2007) .

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

Singapore localities. Choa Chu Kang—Kranji Reservoir—Jurong Lake—Mandai—River Safari—Seletar Reservoir (not specified)—Singapore Botanic Gardens—Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve—Tampines Quarry Lake—Upper Bukit Timah Road—Upper Peirce Reservoir—Upper Seletar North Forest—Upper Seletar Reservoir.

Order Squamata Oppel, 1811 (117 species)

Squamata Oppel, 1811: 5, 14.

Lizards (40 species)

Family Agamidae Gray, 1827 (7 species)

Agamidae Gray, 1827: 57 (type genus Agama Daudin, 1802 ).

Genus Aphaniotis Peters, 1864 (1 species)

Otocryptis (Aphaniotis) W.C.H. Peters, 1864: 385 (type species: Otocryptis (Aphaniotis) fusca W.C.H. Peters, 1864 , by monotypy; gender feminine).

Figures

FIGURE 10. A) Dogania subplana, B) Pelochelys cantorii, C) Pelochelys cantorii, D) Pelodiscus cf. sinensis, E) Aphaniotis fusca, F) Bronchocela cristatella, G) Calotes versicolor, and H) Draco fimbriatus. Photographs by: Kelvin K.P. Lim [A–B, D–E], Dr. Teo Eng Wah @ Vince Adam [C], Thio Hui Bing [F], Alex Figueroa [G], and Evan S.H. Quah [H].