WH207 (Reptile Ecology)

There are only five species of freshwater turtles in Taiwan. Threatened by habitat loss and degradation as well as rampant poaching and trafficking in the past decade, yellow-margined box turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) and Asian yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) have become critically endangered, and Chinese stripe-necked turtle (M. sinensis) endangered. Effective conservation actions are urgently needed for the persistence of endangered turtle species. We have studied on the population ecology of the endangered freshwater turtles for more than 20 years.

Green iguana ( Iguana iguana) was introduced to Taiwan as pet, however this medium-sized lizard has established feral populations in central and southern Taiwan. The feral populations of green iguanas have exploded in abundance and range in the past decade, we have worked with the responsible agencies to manage and control the nuisance lizards.

yellow-margined box turtle

• management and anti-poaching practices of box turtle populations in the wildlife refuge
• impacts of poaching and habitat succession on box turtle populations
• nesting habitat management
• translocation of rehabilitated box turtles
• long-term site fidelity
• thermal ecology

Asian yellow pond turtle

• home range, activity patterns and habitat use
• itransloction of rehabilitated pond turtles
• management of nesting sites and aquatic habitats

Chinese stripe-necked turtle

• impacts of illegal harvest
• home range and habitat use
• impacts of habitat disturbance on population persistence

invasive green iguana

• invasion patterns and management of green iguanas
• impacts of invasive iguanas on agriculture and environment
• invasive biology of green iguanas

Theses of master degree students

• Chen, Chun-Hung (2023) Variation in Interpond Movements between Resident and Translocated Asian Yellow Pond Turtles (Mauremys mutica) and Feasibility of Using Artificial Nesting Environment.
• Wan, Bo-Lin (2023) Monitoring the Invasive Green Iguana Populations in Pingtung: Changes in Density and Body Size.
• Chung, Min-Chang (2023) Population Characteristics and Dynamics of the Yellow-margined Box Turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) in the Yellow-margined Box Turtle Wildlife Refuge in Northern Taiwan.
• Kao, Chung-Hao (2022) Diet of the Endangered Chinese Stripe-necked Turtle (Mauremys sinensis) Inhabiting Semi-artificial Aquatic Habitats on an University Campus, Southern Taiwan
• Huang, Yu-Kai (2022) Translocation of the Endangered Yellow-margined Box Turtle (Cuora flavomarginata): The Effects of Overwintering Habits on Movement and Retained Rate.
• Huang, Ling (2019) Population Composition and Movement Patterns of the Chinese Stripe-necked Turtle (Mauremys sinensis) on a Suburban University Campus in Southern Taiwan.
• Hsu, Hsin-Jou (2019) Seasonal Thermal Ecology of the Yellow-margined Box Turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) in a Wildlife Refuge of Northern Taiwan.
• Tsai, Cheng-Ru (2019) Home Range, Habitat Use and Microhabitat Selection of the Yellow-margined Box Turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) in the Feitsui Reservoir Yellow-margined Box Turtle Wildlife Refuge.
• Hsu, Wei-Chieh (2018) Epidermal Structure of Four Species Lizards That Active Near Water.
• Tsai, Shih-Bin (2018) The Status and Food Habits of the Invasive Green Iguana In Southern Taiwan.
• Lien, Wei-Chih (2015) Diet Analysis of the Yellow-margined Box Turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) Inhabiting a Subtropical Moist Forest of Northern Taiwan, with Notes on Tick Infestation.
• Chang, Shu-Xun (2015) Habitat Use, Movement Patterns and Home Range of the Asian Yellow Pond Turtle (Mauremys mutica) in the Feitsui Reservoir Yellow-margined Box Turtle Wildlife Refuge.
• Liang, Wei (2015) Body Mass Condition in the Yellow-Margined Box Turtle (Cuora flavomarginata): Variation in Wild and Captive Environments.
• Lee, Wen-Shuan (2013) Thermoregulation, Microhabitat Use and Home Range of the Yellow-margined Box Turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) in Southern Taiwan.