黃緣閉殼龜（Cuora flavomarginata）俗名食蛇龜（snake-eating turtle），原本廣泛分佈於台灣全島的低海拔森林與丘陵地區，是台灣五種原生淡水龜中，唯一陸棲性的物種。近年遭受極大的獵捕壓力，各地族群數量嚴重下降。在南台灣地區，食蛇龜族群的分佈、數量、棲地使用、活動模式及活動範圍均缺乏研究。本研究於 2006 年 2-12 月在南仁山生態保護區，利用繭式線團法追蹤食蛇龜，以了解其每日移動路徑和距離、個體活動範圍、棲地利用以及日活動模式，並估算樣區內之族群量。研究結果顯示：每日平均移動距離不論在個體內或個體之間均有很大的變異，白天的移動距離遠大於夜間的移動距離。各月份間的比較顯示，雄龜每日平均移動距離在十月份最高（84.7 ± 17.8 公尺），而在十二月份時最低。根據 95% 最小凸多邊形法以及 95% kernel 法的計算，顯示雄性食蛇龜活動範圍分別為 0.31-1.89 公頃以及 0.52-2.36 公頃。此外，活動範圍分佈的情形顯示大多數個體的活動區域環繞在樣區內一個暫時性的池塘。在棲地利用方面，雄食蛇龜整年均在森林內部活動，並且避免進入開闊地區（檳榔園或廢耕地），從三月到十月間，個體多使用灌叢和落葉層作為活動的棲地，進入十一月以後，多數則被發現遷移進溪谷且以其作為度冬的場所。食蛇龜活動高峰時段集中在清晨和下午，尤其在晴天特別活躍。依 Jolly-Seber 法估算六月至九月實驗期間，樣區內食蛇龜的數量為 2.7–8.0 隻，平均密度為 1.1-3.2 隻/公頃。南仁山地區食蛇龜的捕獲率與族群估算量均極低，而由殘留的線團證據可以發現違法獵捕在此區域十分盛行，顯示當地族群可能遭受嚴重的威脅。

The yellow-margined box turtles (Cuora flavomarginata: Geoemydidae), distributed widely in lowland area of Taiwan in the past, are now threatened by human exploitation and are rare. However, its distribution, population size, habitats, and activity pattern in southern Taiwan are only anecdotes. In this study, movement patterns, home range, habitat utilization, and daily activity patterns of C. flavomarginata were studied by trailing the turtles with thread cocoons in Nanjenshan Reserve in southern Taiwan. The population size was estimated by mark-recapture method with the Jolly-Seber model. Daily movement rates exhibited tremendous variations within and among individual C. flavomarginata and directions of the movements were non-random. Mean distance traveled during the day time was significantly greater than those during the night time. Distance traveled per day by the male turtles peaked in October (84.7 ± 17.8 m) and dropped to the lowest level in December. Male home range size ranged from 0.31 to 1.89 ha by 95% minimum convex polygon analysis, and was 0.52 to 2.36 ha by 95% fixed kernel estimation. The home ranges distributed around a temporary pond in the study area. In addition, C. flavomarginata stayed in the primary forest in bushes or litter layers and avoided the exposed area, such as forest gaps and areca plantations during March-October. The turtles overwintered in the creek areas and were relative inactive after November. C. flavomarginata was active in early morning and late afternoon and more activities were observed under sunny conditions. The estimated population size and density were 2.7-8.0 and 1.1-3.2 individuals.ha-1 from June to September. Illegal hunting in the area was often seen. The low capture rate and estimated density suggested that population of C. flavomarginata is under severe threat in Nanjenshan Reserve.

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