{{Short description|Species of turtle}} {{Speciesbox | name = Four-eyed turtle | image = Sacalia quadriocellata.jpg | status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref =<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Fong, J. |author2=Hoang, H. |author3=Li, P. |author4=McCormack, T. |author5=Rao, D.-Q. |author6=Shi, H. |author7=Wang, L. |date=2021 |title=''Sacalia quadriocellata'' |volume=2021 |article-number=e.T19797A2507554 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T19797A2507554.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref> | status2 = CITES_A2 | status2_system = CITES | status2_ref = <ref name="CITES">{{Cite web|title=Appendices {{!}} CITES|url=https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php|access-date=2022-01-14|website=cites.org}}</ref> | genus = Sacalia | species = quadriocellata | authority = Siebenrock, 1903 | synonyms = * ''Clemmys bealii'' var. ''quadriocellata'' <small>Siebenrock, 1903</small> * ''Clemmys quadriocellata'' <small>— Pope, 1934</small> * ''Clemmys bealei quadriocellata'' <br /><small>— Bourret, 1941</small> * ''Clemmys beali insulensis'' <small>Adler, 1962</small> * ''Sacalia quadriocellata'' <br /><small>— Pritchard, 1979</small> * ''Sacalia bealei quadriocellata'' <br /><small>— C. Ernst & R. Barbour, 1989</small> * ''Sacalia quadriocellata quadriocellata'' <small>— Artner, 2003</small> * ''Sacalia quadriocellata insularis'' [sic]<br /><small> Artner, 2003</small> (''ex errore'') | synonyms_ref = <ref name="Fritz 2007">{{Cite journal|journal=Vertebrate Zoology |title=Checklist of Chelonians of the World |year=2007 |author=Fritz, Uwe |author2=Havaš, Peter |volume=57 |issue=2 |pages=247–248 |doi=10.3897/vz.57.e30895 |doi-access=free |issn=1864-5755 }}</ref> }} The '''four-eyed turtle'''<ref>Sometimes confused with a related and similar species, Beale's four-eyed turtle (''Sacalia bealei'' ).</ref> ('''''Sacalia quadriocellata''''') is a reptile of the order Testudines. Its name refers to two bright yellow or green spots that occur on the back of its head that can look like another pair of eyes.
==Geographic range== This species of turtle occurs in southern China and Hainan, in the Annamite Mountains and northeastern region of Laos, and in the mountains of northern and central Vietnam.<ref name=atcn>{{cite web | url = http://www.asianturtlenetwork.org/field_guide/sacalia_quadriocellata.htm | title = ''Sacalia quadriocellata'' | publisher = Asian Turtle Conservation Network | access-date = 2007-05-08 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070825193652/http://www.asianturtlenetwork.org/field_guide/sacalia_quadriocellata.htm | archive-date = 2007-08-25 }}</ref>
==Hybridization== A male of this species has successfully produced hybrids with the Golden coin turtle in captivity. Given that the "four-eye" pattern is inherited by these hybrids, it seems well possible that the mysterious Chinese false-eyed turtle (''Sacalia pseudocellata'') is actually based on a hybrid specimen.<ref>Parham et al. (2001), Buskirk et al. (2005).</ref>
==Description== The four-eyed turtle can grow to a carapace length of {{Convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Its carapace typically ranges in color from a yellowish-tan to a deep chocolate-brown, and all turtles have a distinct pattern of lines. The turtle's head is often colorful with yellow or green eyes, yellow stripes, and a pink or red throat. Two (sometimes four) eye-like ocelli occur on the back of the head, hence the turtle's name.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.turtlepuddle.org/exotics/sacalia.html| title = Chinese Four-Eyed Turtles, genus ''Sacalia'' | publisher = Hopson, Mary | access-date = 2007-05-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Four-eyed Turtle |url=https://turtlesurvival.org/species/four-eyed-turtle/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Turtle Survival Alliance |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Ecology== Four-eyed turtles occur in freshwater streams, brooks, and ponds in woodland, often mountainous habitats. As a result of their rugged surroundings, they have adapted to become adept climbers.
While their dietary preferences have not been studied in detail, it is known that they do eat a wide variety of animals and plants including crickets, worms, snails, trout chow, aquatic plants, greens and lettuces, and certain fruits.<ref name=atcn />
==Status and conservation== The species is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.<ref name=atcn /> It is also listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning international trade (including in parts and derivatives) is regulated.<ref name="CITES"/>
A main factor in the decline of the four-eyed turtle is trade and demand for their shells.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.turtlesurvival.org/blog/1-blog/479-species-spotlight-vol-6#.W1AELNIza00|title=Species Spotlight Vol. 6|last=Gray|first=Jordan|date=June 2017|website=Turtle Survival Alliance|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719083904/http://www.turtlesurvival.org/blog/1-blog/479-species-spotlight-vol-6#.W1AELNIza00|archive-date=2018-07-19}}</ref> Therefore, species recovery programs are needed to ensure the future of the species. There is currently an extensive communication between zoo and conservation personnel in Vietnam whose goal is to coordinate recovery programs. The recovery programs will include legal protection for the turtles which will affect turtle trading.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.turtlesurvival.org/storage/documents/magazines/tsa_aug2007_newsletter_web.pdf|title=Turtle Adoption Package - for the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC), Vietnam|website=Asian Turtle Program|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127033258/http://www.turtlesurvival.org/storage/documents/magazines/tsa_aug2007_newsletter_web.pdf|archive-date=2013-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.turtlesurvival.org/storage/documents/magazines/tsa_aug2007_newsletter_web.pdf|title=Turtle Survival Alliance|website=Turtle Survival org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127033258/http://www.turtlesurvival.org/storage/documents/magazines/tsa_aug2007_newsletter_web.pdf|archive-date=2013-01-27}}</ref>
Large quantities of turtle shell are used as an ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). For instance, Taiwan confirmed that 940 tons of hard shelled turtle bone and 200 tons of soft shell turtle bones were imported between 1992 and 1998. The plastron - the belly shell - is used in TCM prescriptions. Some TCM scientists argue that there is no difference between plastron and carapace (back shell) bone. So, if both plastron and carapace bone are utilized, the demand of TCM for freshwater turtles, including four-eyed turtles, could decrease by 50% or even more, since the carapace is larger than the plastron.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://nytts.org/asia/trade-ws.htm | title = Conclusions from the Workshop on Trade in Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles in Asia | publisher = Asian Turtle Trade Working Group| access-date = 2007-05-19}}</ref> Current TCM research also suggests that there is no pharmaceutical difference in the effects of bone from animals produced on farms and animals captured in nature. As a result, farm production of turtle bone for TCM is likely to increase. In addition, TCM research could help find alternatives to turtle bone such as herbs.
===Conservation efforts=== The Asian Turtle Program has helped publicize turtle conservation all throughout Asia.<ref>{{cite web| url =http://www.asianturtleproject.org/| title =Asian Turtle Conservation Network| access-date =2007-05-19| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070529015905/http://www.asianturtlenetwork.org/| archive-date =2007-05-29}}</ref> The ATP, a branch of Indo-Myanmar Conservation, has a regularly updated website with up-to-date news that helps spotlight the status of endangered turtles throughout Asia.
==References== {{reflist}} * {{aut|Parham, James Ford; Simison, W. Brian; Kozak, Kenneth H.; Feldman, Chris R. & Shi, Haitao}} (2001). New Chinese turtles: endangered or invalid? A reassessment of two species using mitochondrial DNA, allozyme electrophoresis and known-locality specimens. ''Animal Conservation'' '''4''' (4): 357–367. [http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=4282B27D084B8B508074F736B4D11AD7.tomcat1?fromPage=online&aid=90491 HTML abstract] Erratum: ''Animal Conservation'' '''5''' (1): 86 [http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=100113&fulltextType=ER&fileId=S1367943002001117 HTML abstract] *Siebenrock, Friedrich. (1903). "''Schildkröten des östlichen Hinterindien''". ''Sitzungsberichte der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Klasse der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften'' [Vienna] '''112''': 333-353. ("''Clemmys bealii'' Gray ''nov. var. quadriocellata''", pp. 336–338).
==External links== *[http://www.asianturtlenetwork.org/project%20profiles/vietnam/cuc_phuong.htm Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20081201210702/http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/reptiles/Sacalia_quadriocellata/more_info.html ARKive] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928063526/http://aseanbiodiversity.org/cgi-bin/abiss.exe/spd?SID=1563249415&spd=1118&tx=RE ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity] *[http://nytts.org/asianturtlecrisis.html The Asian Turtle Crisis]
{{Geoemydidae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2600292}}
Category:Sacalia Category:Reptiles described in 1903 Category:Critically endangered fauna of China