Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle

Japanese Name: ヤエヤマイシガメ
Chinese Name: 八重山柴棺龜、黃喉擬水龜
English Name: Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle
Origin: Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, and Yonaguni Island

The Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle (Mauremys mutica kami) is a subspecies of the Yellow Pond Turtle, found on Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, and Yonaguni Island. In 2018, the Yellow Pond Turtle was assessed as a Critically Endangered (CR) species by the IUCN and requires protection.

While the Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle is designated as a rare wild species in Okinawa Prefecture, it has become an invasive species in other areas, such as the Miyako Islands and Daitō Islands. On Miyako Island, the Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle may prey on the locally endemic and rare Miyako Freshwater Crab (Geothelphusa miyakoensis).

The nominate subspecies of the Yellow Pond Turtle is found in northern Vietnam, southern China, and Taiwan, but it has also become invasive on some islands in Okinawa. These populations likely originated from escaped captive individuals.

Reference

• The potential predation of Miyako Freshwater Crab by the Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle (ecoisland)
• Non-native distribution of the Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle (Japan Invasive Species Database)
• Non-native distribution of the nominate subspecies of Yellow Pond Turtle (Japan Invasive Species Database)