Texas Map Turtle

Cowboy_Ken

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1) Texas Map Turtle- Graptemys versa Stejneger 1925 – Chelonian Research Monograph. A Part of Series of Turtle Species Monographs produced by “Conservation Biology of FreshWater Turtles and Tortoises Published 3/4/16

Peter V. Lindeman1, James N. Stuart2, and Flavius C. Killebrew3

1 Department of Biology and Health Services, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, Pennsylvania 16444 USA [[email protected]]; 2New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Conservation Services Division, P.O. Box 2 5112, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 USA [[email protected]];
3Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412 USA [[email protected]]
Summary. – The Texas Map urtle, Graptemys versa (Family Emydidae), is a small freshwater turtle (carapace length to 204 mm in females, 116 mm in males) that is endemic to the Colorado River basin of Texas. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in body size and large females are adapted to a highly molluscivorous diet. The species occurs mainly in lotic habitats but also inhabits reservoirs. Commercial and incidental collection of this turtle is possibly the most significant threat in some locations, although fragmentation and modification of its riverine habitat by dams are also of concern. It receives some protection under CITES and state regulations for commercial collection. The systematics, reproductive biology, diet, and morphology of the species have been investigated, although a rangewide study of its conservation status is needed.
Distribution. – USA. Restricted to the Colorado River drainage system in Texas.
Synonymy. – Graptemys pseudogeographica versa Stejneger 1925, Graptemys versa, Malaclemys versa.
Subspecies. – None recognized.
Status. – IUCN 2015 Red List: Least Concern (LC, assessed 2013); CITES: Appendix III (USA, as Graptemys spp.); US ESA: Not Listed; Texas: Not Listed.
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2 Pearl River Map Turtle - Chelonian Research Monograph. A Part of Series of Turtle Species Monographs produced by “Conservation Biology of FreshWater Turtles and Tortoises Published 3/4/16
Joshua R. Ennen1, Jeffrey E. Lovich2, and Robert L. Jones3
1Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute,
201 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402 USA [[email protected]];
2Southwest Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey,
2255 North Gemini Drive, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 USA [[email protected]];
3Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Museum of Natural Science,
2148 Riverside Drive, Jackson, Mississippi 39202 USA [[email protected]]
Summary. – The Pearl River Map Turtle, Graptemys pearlensis (Family Emydidae), is a moderate-sized aquatic turtle endemic to the Pearl River drainage of Louisiana and Mississippi. This taxon has long been a cryptic species, as it was considered part of G. pulchra before 1992 and part of G. gibbonsi until 2010. Graptemys pearlensis exhibits sexual dimorphism, with adult females being considerably larger (carapace length to 295 mm) than adult males (CL to 121 mm). In the 1960s and 1970s, the species was commonly found in higher abundance than the sympatric G. oculifera, a federally listed species. However, due to habitat degradation and the precipitous decline of native mollusks, the species is now found in lower numbers than G. oculifera throughout much of its range. The current IUCN Red List status is Endangered; however, very little is known about the natural history and ecology of the species, which will make conservation efforts challenging.
Distribution. – USA. Restricted to the Pearl River drainage of Mississippi and Louisiana.
Synonymy. – Graptemys pearlensis Ennen, Lovich, Kreiser, Selman, and Qualls 2010.
Subspecies. – None recognized.
Status. – IUCN 2015 Red List: Endangered (EN A1bcde+4bcde; assessed 2013); CITES: Appendix III (USA; as Graptemys spp.); US ESA: Not Listed.
 
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