Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle

Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 2.3)
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Superfamily:	Testudinoidea
Family:	Geoemydidae
Genus:	Geoemyda
Species:	G. japonica
Binomial name
Geoemyda japonica Fan, 1931
Synonyms[2]
Geoemyda spengleri japonica Fan, 1931 Geoemyda japonica Yasukawa, Ota & Hikida, 1992 Geoemyda japonicus Joseph-Ouni, 2004

The Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle or Ryukyu leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica) is a species of turtles in the family Geoemydidae (formerly Bataguridae) endemic to the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. In 1975, the species was designated a National Natural Monument of Japan.^[3] It grows to about 5–6 inches long. In captivity, it feeds on worms, snails, insects, and fruit. Due to its rarity and very attractive appearance, this species is highly coveted by turtle collectors worldwide.^[4]

At first it was considered a subspecies of Geoemyda spengleri, and named Geoemyda spengleri japonica. It was redescribed as a separate species and given its current binomial name in 1992.^[3]

Hybrids between different genera of Geoemydidae are rather commonplace. This species is known to hybridize with Cuora flavomarginata males in captivity and in the wild.^[5]

• Asian Turtle Trade Working Group (2000). "Geoemyda japonica". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2000. IUCN: e.T9042A97362115. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2000.RLTS.T9042A12952738.en. Listed as Endangered (EN A1ce, B1+2c)
• Buskirk, James R.; Parham, James F. & Feldman, Chris R. (2005): On the hybridisation between two distantly related Asian turtles (Testudines: Sacalia × Mauremys). Salamandra 41: 21–26. PDF fulltext^{[permanent dead link]}

• IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group  » Geoemyda japonica, 002