TRACKING CUORA MCCORDI ERNST, 1988: THE FIRST RECORD OF ITS NATURAL HABITAT; A RE-DESCRIPTION; WITH DATA ON CAPTIVE POPULATIONS AND ITS VULNERABILITY.

After an overall perspective supporting the validity of Cuora mccordi as a species, results of three partially successful Guangxi Province field trips by the authors, in search of the species are given. Surveys of turtle farms in five provinces and Shanghai uncovered many forms of hybrids, but only one non-breeding pair of C. mccordi. Habitat is hilly terrain at 50-150 m elevation, usually amongst bamboo in the vicnity of streams. Detailed morphological description of the species is presented, the known maximum carapace length being 18.4 cm. We also discuss ontogenetic changes in the keels and the unique colouration of the head, shell and soft parts, followed by the present status of Cuora mccordi both in captivity and in the wild, with recommendations for conserving the species.