Turtles in Malaysia: A Review of Conservation Status and a Call for Research

Abstract

Approximately 356 species of turtles inhabit saltwater and freshwater habitats globally, except in Antarctica. Twenty-four species of turtles have been reported in Malaysia, four of which are sea turtles. The state of Terengganu harbored the highest number of turtles, with 17 different reported species. Based on the IUCN Red List, 29% of turtle species in Malaysia are critically endangered. In comparison, another 25% are classified as endangered. Likewise, CITES reported that 67% of Malaysia's turtles are threatened, while 25% are classified as critically endangered. This review discusses the checklists, molecular genetics work, conservation status, recent trends, and recommendations for future research. Factors contributing to their population declines and current endangered status are also discussed.

Keywords: CITES; IUCN Red List; checklist; endangered; genetic; sea turtles; taxonomic.

Figure 2

The critically endangered turtles in Malaysia. Top left to right: Chitra chitra [116], Manouria emys [117], Eretmochelys imbricata [118], Batagur borneensis [119], Indotestudo elongata [120], Orlitia borneensis [121], and Batagur affinis [122].

Figure 3

Chart of IUCN Red List status on turtles.

Figure 1

The diversity of turtles in Malaysia.

Figure 4

Chart of CITES’s appendices on turtles.

Figure 5

These threat factors were compiled from IUCN data, the DOF Report, DWNP Report, TRAFFIC South-east Asia Report, species-recovery plans, federal-agency re-sponses, and miscellaneous publica-tions on species’ life history. A complete list of documents used to assign biological attributes to endangered species is available from the authors.