DOCSLIB.ORG

Studbook Breeding Program Coahuilan Box Turtle (Terrapene Coahuila)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Studbook Breeding Program Coahuilan Box Turtle (Terrapene Coahuila) Studbook breeding program Coahuilan Box Turtle (Terrapene coahuila) Photo: M. Jones Annual report 2007 H. Meijer, studbook coordinator ANNUAL REPORT 2007 Terrapene coahuila Contents; 1] Introduction studbook Terrapene coahuila 2007 2] Status in natural habitat: Endangered (IUCN Red List) in entire range 3] Studbook population 2007 4] Locations with Terrapene coahuila 5] Births 6] Deaths 7] Transfers 8] Husbandry of juvenile Coahuilan box turtles (Terrapene coahuila) Attachment 1 Attachment 2 9] Goals studbook Terrapene coahuila 2008 10] Publications 11] Locations Terrapene coahuila outside studbook 1] INTRODUCTION STUDBOOK TERRAPENE COAHUILA 2007 In summer 2007 I received the permission from the ESF (European Studbook Foundation) board to become the studbook keeper for the species Terrapene coahuila and to set up the studbook Terrapene coahuila . Main goal is to build, together with the studbook members, a healthy captive population of Terrapene coahuila in Europe. Because this species is threatened in the wild, a genetically healthy population in captivity is important. The ESF studbook is classified as category A, which the classification that has the highest priority. The suspicion is that there are less than 10 bloodlines or less than 100 Terrapene coahuila present in Europe, and because there are no imports it is important to be very careful with this great species in captivity, and for this reason this studbook was set up. Cuatro Cienegas (photo Troy Hibbit) 2] STATUS IN NATURAL HABITAT: ENDANGERED (IUCN RED LIST) IN THE ENTIRE RANGE In the middle of the water-scarce Chihuahuan desert is a special place: the Cuatro Cienegas valley. A unique habitat with freshwater springs, streams and wetlands. This is the only place in the world where Terrapene coahuila lives. The unique hydrological system is very delicate and each change by man has a big impact on this environment and the wildlife living there, like Terrapene coahuila . Although it is a National Wildlife Refuge in Mexico, and therefore protected, there are threats. Increased extraction of surface and ground water, for use for farmland in the surrounding area is the main problem. The spread of exotic plants/animals and illegal pet-industries are also threats because of the negative impact they have on the Cuatro Cienegas ecosystems and the Terrapene coahuila populations. Acquisition from private land is the main focus to protect the Cuatro Cienegas valley. A very important organization is Pronatura Noreste (PNE), which has been working on conservation in the Cuatro Cienegas area for more than 20 years. Pronatura Noreste has enhanced the habitat in more than 150 pools, with the surrounding wetland areas. This is the critical habitat for Terrapene coahuila. By constructing water control and raising water levels, they improve this habitat, thereby supporting the Terrapene Coahuila. Cuatro Cienegas (photo Troy Hibbitts) 3] STUDBOOK POPULATION 2007 December 31, 2007 the total studbook population existed of 14.21.4 (39) animals December 31, 2007 the total live population existed of 14.19.4 (37) animals 4] LOCATIONS WITH TERRAPENE COAHUILA There are 7 locations 2 locations in the Netherlands 1 location in Germany 3 locations in England 1 location in Austria 5) BIRTHS In 2007 births were recorded at one location. At this location 3 hatchling were born. 6] DEATHS In 2007 2 animal deaths were reported A female died suddenly from unknown causes. A female died of old age (wild caught animal imported as an adult by Hausman in 1960) 7] TRANSFERS Because the studbook only started in 2007, no transfers were reported. I would like to thank the Durrell Wildlife Conservation, for their request to become studbook members to the new owners that they found for their Terrapene coahuila in 2007. 8) INTRODUCTION TO THIS ARTICLE Seeing a lot of Terrapene coahuila in captivity and talking to owners from Terrapene coahuila, I have concluded that there is one problem in raising Terrapene coahuila . There is often a difference between the carapaces in captive-raised Terrapene coahuila , compared to those raised in the wild . A group of animals raised in captivity that I saw in 2007, however, have grown like if they were raised in nature: they have beautiful carapaces. Because we can learn from each others experiences, I asked the owner to write down his experience raising this group for the studbook. The article below is his contribution. HUSBANDRY OF JUVENILE COAHUILA BOX TURTLES TERRAPENE COAHUILA No emydid species has as restricted a natural range as does the Coahuila or aquatic box turtle, Terrapene coahuila, of northern Mexico. It is restricted to fragile spring-fed wetlands in portions of the Cuatrociénegas basin where several other endemic life forms, from fish to invertebrates and plants, endure despite anthropogenic disturbances. As the fame of this “desert Galápagos” spreads, human presence in the basin has increased, such that the casual removal of specimens has become a problem rivaling that of habitat loss. Ironically, this species has proven not only to be hardy, but prolific in captivity as well. Institutional and private breeders of the species have long reported high fertility of eggs and survival of juveniles, and F3 generations are known. It has proven difficult in the United States to find suitable placement for juveniles in some instances. There is no proposal yet to introduce captive bred specimens to re-occupy selected habitat or to launch a local recovery program to increase the species’ numbers, but should such a project come about, the importance of appropriate captive husbandry of the young is increased. The writer here summarizes his own experiences without reference to literature, nor with the intent to proclaim that his methods are faultless or superior to any others. Surely questions and criticism will arise from this account of my experiences, and I congratulate anyone who does better with regard to raising young T. coahuila. My own conclusions, implicit or explicit, concerning practices carried out by others accomplished in the husbandry of this species are simply my own opinions. BACKGROUND: On 30 September 2005, five newly hatched T. coahuila were given to me. They had been incubated in sub-saturated vermiculite at 28 - 29°C and apparently hatched synchronously. The father was wild-caught whereas the mother had been an F1 specimen. The parents, and other females (all CB) in the breeding group, had produced an undisclosed number of offspring from earlier clutches, raised by other people including the breeder. HOUSING CONDITIONS: The five neonates have been housed indoors the year round. Originally they were housed together in an opaque plastic tub measuring 57 x 36 x 15 cm into which tap water to a depth of about 5 cm was added. Rather than a land area, a piece of driftwood and broken terra cotta pots were placed to provide both underwater refuges and dry places for basking. Half an overturned dried gourd (Cucurbitaceae), of the type used as a water recipient or dipper in tropical countries, was also placed in the tub to provide an additional light-weight “cave.” Strands of java moss were placed in the water to enhance the natural appearance of an admittedly artificial set-up, and to allow another medium of concealment for the small turtles. Illumination and warmth were provided by a 60 watt full spectrum incandescent bulb suspended about 6 cm above an exposed portion of the wood. The light is not controlled by a timer but rather by only somewhat regular human agency. The artificial photoperiod has varied from about 7 to 10 hours, and is admittedly erratic. During the winter months, an electric heating pad beneath the tub was sometimes used, particularly overnight. The humidity of the room in which the T. coahuila have been kept has varied from about 50 to 85%. The tub has not been covered at night. Natural, unfiltered morning sunlight has been seasonally but irregularly available to the young turtles by opening an adjacent door when weather conditions are appropriate. Such sunlight has usually been subsequently filtered through the opaque plastic tub. During the first few weeks of life, the young were occasionally placed outdoors for 30 minutes or so in a small tub to enhance their synthesis of vitamin D3. However, any disturbance of the turtles since then by moving them about has been kept to a minimum. Not only photoperiod, but temperature variations have been considerable in this set- up. Daily water temperatures have fluctuated between 15.1° and 23.6° during the cool months of the year, the air temperatures themselves being somewhat lower and higher, respectively. The highest water temperature reached is estimated to be around 30°. The tap water used has a pH of 7.0. That in the tubs, exposed to organic compounds in the driftwood, has been as low as 6.8. The water is not filtered but is drained and replaced every 4 weeks; periodically, fecal material is removed with a dipnet. Tap water is added as needed to maintain an approximately equal water depth at all times. Even after 4 weeks without being changed, the water is not malodorous. The choice of freshwater driftwood rather than commercial cork bark or some synthetic material is based on convenience, economics, and esthetics. Not everyone has access to weathered non-coniferous, water-logged wood but wonderful pieces sometimes reward the searcher. Some of mine originated in streams inhabited by freshwater turtles. One piece leaches tannin into the water, darkening it within days, but without apparent harm to the turtles. Like the terra cotta pieces and the gourd, wood is selected which scarcely diminishes the area of the aquatic milieu, while providing both an underwater cover site and a basking platform. As the turtles began to grow, in May 2006 the three largest ones were placed in an opaque tub measuring 59 x 40 x 15 cm., kept at the original place.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Dispersal in the Coahuilan Box Turtle
    1 Running title: Dispersal in the Coahuilan box turtle In press, Molecular Ecology 2 3 4 CONTRASTING DEMOGRAPHIC AND GENETIC ESTIMATES OF DISPERSAL IN THE 5 6 ENDANGERED COAHUILAN BOX TURTLE: A CONTEMPORARY APPROACH TO 7 8 CONSERVATION 9 10 Jennifer G. Howeth1,4, Suzanne E. McGaugh2, Dean A. Hendrickson1,3 11 12 MEC-08-0399 Final 13 1 Section of Integrative Biology 14 University of Texas at Austin 15 1 University Station C0930 16 Austin, Texas 78712 17 Phone: 512 475 8669 18 Fax: 512 471 3878 19 20 2 Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology 21 Iowa State University 22 251 Bessey Hall 23 Ames, Iowa 50011 24 25 3 Texas Natural Science Center, Texas Natural History Collection 26 University of Texas at Austin 27 PRC 176 / R4000 28 10100 Burnet Road 29 Austin, Texas 78758 30 31 4 Corresponding author: [email protected] 32 Abstract: 249 / 250 words 33 Main text: 7,641 / 8,000 words 34 Figures: 5; Supplementary Figures: 2 35 Tables: 3; Supplementary Tables: 2 36 37 38 Keywords: connectivity, isolation by distance, metapopulation, microsatellite, mark-recapture, 39 habitat fragmentation 40 Abstract 41 42 The evolutionary viability of an endangered species depends upon gene flow among subpopulations 43 and the degree of habitat patch connectivity. Contrasting population connectivity over ecological and 44 evolutionary timescales may provide novel insight into what maintains genetic diversity within 45 threatened species. We employed this integrative approach to evaluating dispersal in the critically 46 endangered Coahuilan box turtle (Terrapene coahuila) that inhabits isolated wetlands in the desert- 47 spring ecosystem of Cuatro Ciénegas, Mexico.
    [Show full text]
  • Glyptemys Muhlenbergii) and the Need for a Regional Approach to Turtle Conservation Author(S): Kevin T
    Genetic Connectivity among Populations of the Threatened Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) and the Need for a Regional Approach to Turtle Conservation Author(s): Kevin T. Shoemaker and James P. Gibbs Source: Copeia, 2013(2):324-331. Published By: The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1643/OT-12-022 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1643/OT-12-022 BioOne (www.bioone.org) is a nonprofit, online aggregation of core research in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. BioOne provides a sustainable online platform for over 170 journals and books published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Web site, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/page/terms_of_use. Usage of BioOne content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non-commercial use. Commercial inquiries or rights and permissions requests should be directed to the individual publisher as copyright holder. BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. Copeia 2013, No. 2, 324–331 Genetic Connectivity among Populations of the Threatened Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) and the Need for a Regional Approach to Turtle Conservation Kevin T. Shoemaker1,2 and James P. Gibbs1 The threatened Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) is considered among the most sedentary of turtles, yet with population sizes generally below 50 individuals, gene flow among populations is clearly necessary to maintain healthy levels of genetic diversity.
    [Show full text]
  • Sequence-Based Molecular Phylogenetics and Phylogeography of the American Box Turtles (Terrapene Spp.) with Support from DNA Barcoding ⇑ Bradley T
    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 68 (2013) 119–134 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Molec ular Phylo genetics and Evolution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev Sequence-based molecular phylogenetics and phylogeography of the American box turtles (Terrapene spp.) with support from DNA barcoding ⇑ Bradley T. Martin a, , Neil P. Bernstein b, Roger D. Birkhead c, Jim F. Koukl a, Steven M. Mussmann d, John S. Placyk Jr. a a Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75799, USA b Deptartment of Natural and Applied Sciences, Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, USA c Alabama Science in Motion, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA d Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA article info abstract Article history: The classification of the American box turtles (Terrapene spp.) has remained enigmatic to systematis ts. Received 31 December 2012 Previous comp rehensive phylogenetic studies focused primarily on morphology. The goal of this study Accepted 8 March 2013 was to re-assess the classification of Terrapene spp. by obtaining DNA sequence data from a broad geo- Available online 20 March 2013 graphic range and from all four recogni zed species and 11subspecies within the genus. Tissue samples were obtained for all taxa except for Terrapene nelsoni klauberi . DNA was extracted, and the mitochondrial Keywords: DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b (Cytb) and nuclear DNA (nucDNA) glyceraldehyde-3-phosph ate-dehydrogenase Box turtle (GAPD) genes were amplified via polymera sechain reaction and sequenced. In addition, the mtDNA gene DNA barcoding commonly used for DNA barcoding (cytochrome oxidase c subunit I; COI) was amplified and sequenced to Molecular phylogenetics Phylogeography calculate pairwise percent DNA sequence divergen cecompariso nsfor each Terrapene taxon.
    [Show full text]
  • Spatial Ecology of a Freshwater Turtle in a Temporary Pond Complex
    UNIVERSIDADE DE ÉVORA ESCOLA DE CIÊNCIAS E TECNOLOGIA DEPARTAMENTO DE BIOLOGIA UNIVERSIDADE DE LISBOA INSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE AGRONOMIA Spatial ecology of a freshwater turtle in a temporary pond complex Filipe Alexandre Cabreirinha Serrano Orientação: Doutora Maria Teresa Ferreira Co-orientação: Doutor Pedro Segurado Mestrado em Gestão e Conservação de Recursos Naturais Dissertação Évora, 2014 Acknowledgments À Professora Doutora Teresa Ferreira por me ter encaminhado para o tema e pela disponibilidade sempre que necessitei, um muito obrigado. Ao Doutor Pedro Segurado pela orientação, pela envolvência na discussão de ideias, pelo exemplo mas sobretudo pela paciência e flexibilidade, um muito obrigado. Aos meus pais, Clara e Avelino, por me pagarem as propinas. E, convenhamos, por fazerem de mim muito do que sou hoje e por nunca terem parado de apoiar e de aceitar o que sou e o que faço. A quem me apoiou aquando do trabalho de campo, da Quercus - Paulo Lucas e Dário Cardador, da Duna Maris Natura Residence - Dª Jesus e Senhor Manuel, do PNSACV – Paulo Cabrita e ainda ao João Santana pela companhia e ajuda essencial. Aos meus amigos de sempre: Isabel, JP Sengo, Inês Maltez, João Amaral, João Zorrinho, Carolina Espadinha e Inês Palolo. À Marisa Rodrigues por ser. Aos meus colegas de turma e/ou casa: Tiago Neves, Esmeralda Pereira, Viviana Brambilla, Rita Freitas, Ricardo Branca e Margarida Figueira. To all my friends in El Ventorrillo: Hector Bintanel, Matthijs Hollanders, Tim Leerschool, Wouter Beukema, Octavio Jiménez, Gloria Gómez-Lobo, Camila Monasterio, Verónica Gomes and all the others. À ciência. Ao caminho que ainda falta percorrer. À vida.
    [Show full text]
  • Amphibians and Reptiles of the State of Coahuila, Mexico, with Comparison with Adjoining States
    A peer-reviewed open-access journal ZooKeys 593: 117–137Amphibians (2016) and reptiles of the state of Coahuila, Mexico, with comparison... 117 doi: 10.3897/zookeys.593.8484 CHECKLIST http://zookeys.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity research Amphibians and reptiles of the state of Coahuila, Mexico, with comparison with adjoining states Julio A. Lemos-Espinal1, Geoffrey R. Smith2 1 Laboratorio de Ecología-UBIPRO, FES Iztacala UNAM. Avenida los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, edo. de México, Mexico – 54090 2 Department of Biology, Denison University, Granville, OH, USA 43023 Corresponding author: Julio A. Lemos-Espinal ([email protected]) Academic editor: A. Herrel | Received 15 March 2016 | Accepted 25 April 2016 | Published 26 May 2016 http://zoobank.org/F70B9F37-0742-486F-9B87-F9E64F993E1E Citation: Lemos-Espinal JA, Smith GR (2016) Amphibians and reptiles of the state of Coahuila, Mexico, with comparison with adjoining statese. ZooKeys 593: 117–137. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.593.8484 Abstract We compiled a checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of the state of Coahuila, Mexico. The list com- prises 133 species (24 amphibians, 109 reptiles), representing 27 families (9 amphibians, 18 reptiles) and 65 genera (16 amphibians, 49 reptiles). Coahuila has a high richness of lizards in the genus Sceloporus. Coahuila has relatively few state endemics, but has several regional endemics. Overlap in the herpetofauna of Coahuila and bordering states is fairly extensive. Of the 132 species of native amphibians and reptiles, eight are listed as Vulnerable, six as Near Threatened, and six as Endangered in the IUCN Red List. In the SEMARNAT listing, 19 species are Subject to Special Protection, 26 are Threatened, and three are in Danger of Extinction.
    [Show full text]
  • Terrapene Coahuila Schmidt and Owens 1944 – Coahuilan Box Turtle
    Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project ofEmydidae the IUCN/SSC — TerrapeneTortoise and Freshwatercoahuila Turtle Specialist Group 049.1 A.G.J. Rhodin, P.C.H. Pritchard, P.P. van Dijk, R.A. Saumure, K.A. Buhlmann, J.B. Iverson, and R.A. Mittermeier, Eds. Chelonian Research Monographs (ISSN 1088-7105) No. 5, doi:10.3854/crm.5.049.coahuila.v1.2011 © 2011 by Chelonian Research Foundation • Published 31 December 2011 Terrapene coahuila Schmidt and Owens 1944 – Coahuilan Box Turtle JENNIFER G. HOWET H 1,3 AND WILLIAM S. BROWN 2,4 1Section of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712 USA; 2Department of Biology, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 USA; 3Present Address: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487 USA [[email protected]]; 4Present Address: Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 USA [[email protected]] SUMMARY . – The Coahuilan Box Turtle, Terrapene coahuila (Family Emydidae), endemic to the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin of central Coahuila, Mexico, is internationally recognized as endangered due to its naturally restricted geographic range and substantial loss of habitat in the past half-century. The only extant aquatic member of the genus, T. coahuila is a small species (carapace length to 230 mm) that occupies shallow wetland habitats distributed across the Cuatro Ciénegas valley floor. Water diversion from man-made canals within the basin, and groundwater exploitation in contributing aquifers outside of the basin, have lowered the valley’s water table and resulted in widespread wet- land habitat desiccation, thus jeopardizing the species’ viability.
    [Show full text]
  • Setting the Stage for Understanding Globalization of the Asian Turtle Trade
    Setting the Stage for Understanding Globalization of the Asian Turtle Trade: Global, Asian, and American Turtle Diversity, Richness, Endemism, and IUCN Red List Threat Levels Anders G.J. Rhodin and Peter Paul van Dijk IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Chelonian Research Foundation, Conservation International Thursday, January 20, 2011 New Species Described 2010 Photo C. Hagen Graptemys pearlensis - Pearl River Map Turtle Louisiana and Mississippi, USA Red List: Not Evaluated [Endangered] Thursday, January 20, 2011 IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group Founded 1980 www.iucn-tftsg.org Thursday, January 20, 2011 International Union for the Conservation of Nature / Species Survival Commission www.iucn.org Thursday, January 20, 2011 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora www.cites.org Thursday, January 20, 2011 Chelonian Conservation and Biology Thomson Reuters’ ISI Journal Citation Impact Factor currently ranks CCB among the top 100 zoology journals worldwide www.chelonianjournals.org Thursday, January 20, 2011 Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises www.iucn-tftsg.org/cbftt Thursday, January 20, 2011 IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group Members: Work or Focus - 2010 274 Members - 107 Countries Thursday, January 20, 2011 Species, Additional Subspecies, and Total Taxa of Turtles and Tortoises 500 Species Add. Subspecies 375 Total Taxa 250 125 0 1758176617831789179218011812183518441856187318891909193419551961196719771979198619891992199420062007200820092010 Currently Recognized: 334 species, 127 add. subspecies, 461 total taxa Thursday, January 20, 2011 Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Species Richness Buhlmann, Akre, Iverson, Karapatakis, Mittermeier, Georges, Rhodin, van Dijk, and Gibbons. 2009. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 8:116–149. Thursday, January 20, 2011 Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Species Richness – Global Rankings 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Proposed Amendment to 21CFR124021
    Richard Fife 8195 S. Valley Vista Drive Hereford, AZ 85615 December 07, 2015 Division of Dockets Management Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061 Rockville, MD 20852 Reference: Docket Number FDA-2013-S-0610 Proposed Amendment to Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Volume 8 Revised as of April 1, 2015 21CFR Sec.1240.62 Dear Dr. Stephen Ostroff, M.D., Acting Commissioner: Per discussion with the Division of Dockets Management staff on November 10, 2015 Environmental and Economic impact statements are not required for petitions submitted under 21CFR Sec.1240.62 CITIZEN PETITION December 07, 2015 ACTION REQUESTED: I propose an amendment to 21CFR Sec.1240.62 (see exhibit 1) as allowed by Section (d) Petitions as follows: Amend section (c) Exceptions. The provisions of this section are not applicable to: By adding the following two (2) exceptions: (5) The sale, holding for sale, and distribution of live turtles and viable turtle eggs, which are sold for a retail value of $75 or more (not to include any additional turtle related apparatuses, supplies, cages, food, or other turtle related paraphernalia). This dollar amount should be reviewed every 5 years or more often, as deemed necessary by the department in order to make adjustments for inflation using the US Department of Labor, Bureau of labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index. (6) The sale, holding for sale, and distribution of live turtles and viable turtle eggs, which are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List as Extinct In Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable (IUCN threatened categorizes).
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology of the Aquatic Box Turtle, Terrapene Coahuila (Chelonia, Emydidae), in Northern Mexico
    ECOLOGY OF THE AQUATIC BOX TURTLE, TERRAPENE COAHUILA (CHELONIA, EMYDIDAE), IN NORTHERN MEXICO WILLIAM S. BROWN' SYNOPSIS: An ecological study of the Coahuilan Box Turtle, Terrapene coahuila, was undertaken between December 1964 and November 1967 in its natural habitat on the northern Mexican Plateau. The species is endemic to an intermontane basin of the Chihuahuan Desert near Cuatro Cienegas, Coahuila. Its geographic range con- sists of disjunct populations in an area that does not exceed 800 km 2. SPreferred habitats of T. coahuila in the area studied are small, north-south trending, spring-fed marshes, characterized by mud bottoms, shallow water, and dense aquatic vegetation, principally Chara spp., Eleocharis rostellata, and Scirpus olneyi. Marshes are distinct aquatic communities surrounded by desert grassland and shrub communities. Ecological adaptations of this species more closely resemble those of other North American aquatic turtles than of terrestrial members of its own genus. Population densities, foraging behavior, food habits, and thermal relationships best exemplify the Saquatic mode of life of T. coahuila. T. coahuila remains active throughout the year except for short periods of en- vironmental extremes. Mating occurs from September to June and appears concen- trated in spring. Copulating pairs of box turtles were found in October, November, December, and April, frequently in shallow water. The ovarian cycle appears to be intermediate between the lengthy cycle of tropical emydid species and the compressed cycle of northern species caused by cold weather. Follicle enlargement occurs be- tween late August and early April when ovulation begins. Egg laying begins in May and continues to September. Complements of 2 or 3 eggs are produced most fre- quently.
    [Show full text]
  • Chelonian Advisory Group Regional Collection Plan 4Th Edition December 2015
    Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Chelonian Advisory Group Regional Collection Plan 4th Edition December 2015 Editor Chelonian TAG Steering Committee 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Mission ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Steering Committee Structure ........................................................................................................... 3 Officers, Steering Committee Members, and Advisors ..................................................................... 4 Taxonomic Scope ............................................................................................................................. 6 Space Analysis Space .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Survey ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Current and Potential Holding Table Results ............................................................................. 8 Species Selection Process Process ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Decision Tree ........................................................................................................................... 13 Decision Tree Results .............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Turtles of the World, 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status
    Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation ProjectTurtles of the IUCN/SSC of the World Tortoise – 2010and Freshwater Checklist Turtle Specialist Group 000.85 A.G.J. Rhodin, P.C.H. Pritchard, P.P. van Dijk, R.A. Saumure, K.A. Buhlmann, J.B. Iverson, and R.A. Mittermeier, Eds. Chelonian Research Monographs (ISSN 1088-7105) No. 5, doi:10.3854/crm.5.000.checklist.v3.2010 © 2010 by Chelonian Research Foundation • Published 14 December 2010 Turtles of the World, 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status TUR T LE TAXONOMY WORKING GROUP * *Authorship of this article is by this working group of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, which for the purposes of this document consisted of the following contributors: ANDERS G.J. RHODIN 1, PE T ER PAUL VAN DI J K 2, JOHN B. IVERSON 3, AND H. BRADLEY SHAFFER 4 1Chair, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Chelonian Research Foundation, 168 Goodrich St., Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462 USA [[email protected]]; 2Deputy Chair, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, Virginia 22202 USA [[email protected]]; 3Department of Biology, Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana 47374 USA [[email protected]]; 4Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California 95616 USA [[email protected]] AB S T RAC T . – This is our fourth annual compilation of an annotated checklist of all recognized and named taxa of the world’s modern chelonian fauna, documenting recent changes and controversies in nomenclature, and including all primary synonyms, updated from our previous three checklists (Turtle Taxonomy Working Group [2007b, 2009], Rhodin et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Endoscopic Hepatic Biopsy in Coahuilan Box Tdrtles, Terrapene Coahuila Gary West, DVM San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium 3903 N
    C linical T echniques Endoscopic Hepatic Biopsy in Coahuilan Box Tdrtles, Terrapene coahuila Gary West, DVM San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium 3903 N. St. Mary’s Street San Antonio, TX 78212 USA Abstract: Endoscopic procedures are becoming standard diagnostic tools for reptile practitioners. However, Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/jhms/article-pdf/11/2/28/2207106/1529-9651_11_2_28.pdf by guest on 26 September 2021 endoscopic examinations in chelonia have been only briefly reported in the literature. Turtles and tortoises are ideal candidates for endoscopic examination of the coelomic cavity. A Coahuilan box turtle, Terrapene coahuila, from a breeding group at the San Antonio Zoo was found dead. Post-mortem examination of this tur­ tle revealed mycobacterial hepatitis. Coelomic cavity endoscopic exams were then performed on the rest of the breeding group. Hepatic biopsies from all turtles were performed. Key W ords: Coahuilan box turtle, Terrapene coahuila, hepatic biopsy, endoscopic examination, hepatic lipi­ dosis. INTRODUCTION After anesthetic induction an assistant held each turtle in left lateral recumbency. An endoscopic approach to the The Coahuilan box turtle, Terrapene coahuila, is an endan­ coelomic cavity is similar to a surgical approach previously gered reptile endemic to a drainage area basin of Cuatro described (Brannian, 1984). This inguinal or preformal loca­ Cienegas in the state of Coahuila, Mexico. Due to the arid tion was more recently described for endoscopy of the environment of this region this species became tertiairily coelomic cavity in turtles (Taylor, 1999). aquatic and is often called the aquatic box turtle (Pritchard, A right inguinal approach was made to the coelomic cavity.
    [Show full text]