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Distribution of the big-headed turtle Platysternon megacephalum Gray, 1831 in Thailand and a case study on population status and conservation management at Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang Mai Province |
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| รหัสดีโอไอ | |
| Title | Distribution of the big-headed turtle Platysternon megacephalum Gray, 1831 in Thailand and a case study on population status and conservation management at Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang Mai Province |
| Creator | Kruewan Pipatsawasdikul |
| Contributor | Kumthorn Thirakhupt, Voris, Harold K |
| Publisher | Chulalongkorn University |
| Publication Year | 2552 |
| Keyword | Turtles, Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Abstract | The distribution of the big-headed turtle, Platysternon megacephalum Gray, 1831, in Thailand was studied from December 2006 to April 2009. Mountain streams of protected and unprotected areas throughout Thailand, except in the southern peninsular region, were ground surveyed. This study confirms the occurrence of P. megacephalum in one new river basin, Nan and nine previously reported river basins in the north, northeastern, north central and western parts of Thailand. Among these, twenty-two new localities were reported with elevations between 430 and 1,350 m asl in small, often fast flowing mountain streams in dry dipterocarp and monetane rain forests. During August 2008 to August 2009, their population status, movement, home range and threats of P. megacephalum in Thailand, and a case study on population status and conservation management were studied at Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang Mai Province by radio telemetry and interview. The results revealed that most of the turtles lived near one another with some slight overlaps. Their re-sighting positions were not uniformly distributed within the boundaries of their respective home ranges. No correlations were found among the turtles in terms of the pattern or order of movements but there were significant differences between frequency of movement and the adults (χ2=18.96, p<0.001). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant relationships between the interval adjusted minimum stream distances moved by the turtles and either rainfall or temperature. Significant differences in P. megacephalum hunting was found with human gender (p<0.001), age (p<0.001) and level of education (p=0.006) and with the conservation agreement with gender (p=0.037), age (p<0.001) and level of education (p<0.001). This study recommends a proper management plan that should be implemented rapidly. |
| URL Website | cuir.car.chula.ac.th |
