Region 2 Other Emphasis Species List Yellow Mud Turtle

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Region 2 Other Emphasis Species List Yellow Mud Turtle Region 2 Other Emphasis Species List Yellow Mud Turtle (Kinosternon flavescens flavescens) Recommendation Rationale: Not R2 SS, But Should Be Considered For Other Emphasis Species Lists The core of this species range is the southern Great Plains. Within that core (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas) the species is ranked as secure. Nebraska, on the northern periphery, considers the species vulnerable; and Colorado on the western periphery, ranks the species as critically imperiled. This ranking is likely a reflection of that state's position on the periphery of the species range. Even then, Hammerson's assessment of the species status does not seem to be consistent with the Heritage ranking. He considers this species to be relatively common in localized areas within several of Colorado's far eastern plains drainages. Distribution here is patchy. Habitats used by this species seem fairly broad. Hammerson states that they use both perennial and intermittent streams, permanent and temporary ponds (even those far from permanent water), irrigation ditches and soggy fields. Surrounding sand hills are used extensively in the summer for nesting and mid-summer dormancy. Hammerson further states "No major existing threats are known. Present populations should persist into the foreseeable future under current land use patterns." Consequently, there does not seem to be a basis for retention of this species on the Regional sensitive species list. However, because of the species limited and patchy distribution on the northern and western periphery of its range, individual populations could be vulnerable on certain NFS units. The yellow mud turtle is known or believed to occur on the Comanche NG in Colorado, the Cimarron NG in Kansas, and the Samuel R. McKelvie and Halsey National Forests in Nebraska. We recommend these units evaluate the status of the species on and in the vicinity of their units, and determine whether the species would be benefited by special management status on those units. Revised on January 29, 2003 by Gary Patton .
Recommended publications
  • AN INTRODUCTION to Texas Turtles
    TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE AN INTRODUCTION TO Texas Turtles Mark Klym An Introduction to Texas Turtles Turtle, tortoise or terrapin? Many people get confused by these terms, often using them interchangeably. Texas has a single species of tortoise, the Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlanderi) and a single species of terrapin, the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). All of the remaining 28 species of the order Testudines found in Texas are called “turtles,” although some like the box turtles (Terrapene spp.) are highly terrestrial others are found only in marine (saltwater) settings. In some countries such as Great Britain or Australia, these terms are very specific and relate to the habit or habitat of the animal; in North America they are denoted using these definitions. Turtle: an aquatic or semi-aquatic animal with webbed feet. Tortoise: a terrestrial animal with clubbed feet, domed shell and generally inhabiting warmer regions. Whatever we call them, these animals are a unique tie to a period of earth’s history all but lost in the living world. Turtles are some of the oldest reptilian species on the earth, virtually unchanged in 200 million years or more! These slow-moving, tooth­ less, egg-laying creatures date back to the dinosaurs and still retain traits they used An Introduction to Texas Turtles | 1 to survive then. Although many turtles spend most of their lives in water, they are air-breathing animals and must come to the surface to breathe. If they spend all this time in water, why do we see them on logs, rocks and the shoreline so often? Unlike birds and mammals, turtles are ectothermic, or cold- blooded, meaning they rely on the temperature around them to regulate their body temperature.
    [Show full text]
  • Life History and Demography of the Common Mud Turtle, Kinosternon
    Ecology, 72(6), 1991, pp. 2218-2231 © 1991 by the Ecological Society of America LIFE HISTORY AND DEMOGRAPHY OF THE COMMON MUD TURTLE KINOSTERNON SUBR UBR UM IN SOUTH CAROLINA, USA' NAT B. FRAZER Department of Biology, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia 31207 USA J. WHITFIELD GIBBONS AND JUDITH L. GREENE Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802 USA Abstract. This paper presents a life table for the common mud turtle, Kinosternon subrubrum, in a fluctuating aquatic habitat on the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina, USA, using data gathered in a 20-yr mark-recapture study. Data on survivorship and fecundity (clutch size, per capita clutch frequency) were assessed and compared to previ- ously published life table statistics for the slider turtle, Trachemys scripta, in the same body of water and for the yellow mud turtle, K. flavescens, in Nebraska. The annual survival rate for adult female Kinosternon (87.6%) is significantly higher than that of adult female Trachemys (77.4%). Similarly, male Kinosternon exhibit an annual survival rate (89.0%) significantly higher than that of male Trachemys (83.4%). The mean annual proportion of female Kinosternon that are reproductively active (50.7%) also is significantly higher than that of Trachemys (37.2%). In addition, survival rate from the time eggs are laid by Kinosternon until the hatchlings enter the aquatic environment (26.1 %) is significantly higher than that for Trachemys (10.5%). Comparisons of our findings with those for K. flavescens indicate that these geograph- ically separate populations of congeneric species also differ substantially in age at maturity, mean generation time, and the mean proportion of females that are reproductively active in any given year.
    [Show full text]
  • In AR, FL, GA, IA, KY, LA, MO, OH, OK, SC, TN, and TX): Species in Red = Depleted to the Point They May Warrant Federal Endangered Species Act Listing
    Southern and Midwestern Turtle Species Affected by Commercial Harvest (in AR, FL, GA, IA, KY, LA, MO, OH, OK, SC, TN, and TX): species in red = depleted to the point they may warrant federal Endangered Species Act listing Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) – AR, GA, IA, KY, MO, OH, OK, SC, TX Florida common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina osceola) - FL Southern painted turtle (Chrysemys dorsalis) – AR Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) – IA, MO, OH, OK Spotted turtle (Clemmys gutatta) - FL, GA, OH Florida chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia chrysea) – FL Western chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia miaria) – AR, FL, GA, KY, MO, OK, TN, TX Barbour’s map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) - FL, GA Cagle’s map turtle (Graptemys caglei) - TX Escambia map turtle (Graptemys ernsti) – FL Common map turtle (Graptemys geographica) – AR, GA, OH, OK Ouachita map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis) – AR, GA, OH, OK, TX Sabine map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis sabinensis) – TX False map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) – MO, OK, TX Mississippi map turtle (Graptemys pseuogeographica kohnii) – AR, TX Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra) – GA Texas map turtle (Graptemys versa) - TX Striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii) – FL, GA, SC Yellow mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) – OK, TX Common mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) – AR, FL, GA, OK, TX Alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) – AR, FL, GA, LA, MO, TX Diamond-back terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) – FL, GA, LA, SC, TX River cooter (Pseudemys concinna) – AR, FL,
    [Show full text]
  • Turtles of the Upper Mississippi River System
    TURTLES OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER SYSTEM Tom R. Johnson and Jeffrey T. Briggler Herpetologists Missouri Department of Conservation Jefferson City, MO March 27, 2012 Background: A total of 13 species and subspecies of turtles are known to live in the Upper Mississippi River, its backwaters and tributaries. There are a few species that could be found occasionally, but would likely account for less than 5% of the species composition of any area. These species are predominantly marsh animals and are discussed in a separate section of this paper. For additional information on turtle identification and natural history see Briggler and Johnson (2006), Christiansen and Bailey (1988), Conant and Collins (1998), Ernst and Lovich (2009), Johnson (2000), and Vogt (1981). This information is provided to the fisheries field staff of the LTRM project so they will be able to identify the turtles captured during fish monitoring. The most current taxonomic information of turtles was used to compile this material. The taxonomy followed in this publication is the Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding (6th edition) by Crothers (2008). Species Identification, Natural History and Distribution: What follows is a synopsis of the 13 turtle species and subspecies which are known to occur in the Upper Mississippi River environs. Species composition changes between the upper and lower reaches of the LTRM study area (Wisconsin/Minnesota state line and southeastern Missouri) due to changes in aquatic habitats. For example, the Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) is abundant in the northern portion of the river with clearer water and abundant snail prey.
    [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]
  • 1 B 2 C 3 D 4 A
    ATTACHMENT SS2 REGION 2 SENSITIVE SPECIES EVALUATION FORM Species: Kinosternon flavescens flavescens – yellow mud turtle Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations The yellow mud turtle occurs in west-central Nebraska, southeastern Colorado, and • Ernst et al. 1994 1 B western Kansas. Distribution within R2 Confidence in Rank High South-central U.S. and adjacent northern Mexico; north to Nebraska, west to southern • Ernst et al. 1994 2 C Arizona (Conant and Collins 1991). Isolated population in Illinois-Iowa-Missouri. See Distribution outside R2 Iverson (1989) for information on distribution in Arizona and Sonora. Confidence in Rank High 3 D Confidence in Rank Medium • Dispersal Capability Accurate estimates are unavailable, but based on widespread distribution and • www.natureservce.org 4 A comments on abundance, there are surely many more than 10,000 individuals. Abundance in R2 Generally abundant historically (Pope 1939) and currently (Conant and Collins 1991). In most parts of Southwest, probably more abundant now than historically, due to abundance of small reservoirs for cattle (Iverson 1989). Total population in northeastern Missouri in 1991 was estimated at 600-800 (Figg 1991). Confidence in Rank Low Probably stable, but may be experiencing very slow declines due to changes in the • www.natureservce.org 5 D natural hydrology of native habitats. Even so, this species is at least moderately Population Trend in R2 tolerant of manmade habitats. Bickham et al. (1984) found no evidence of a significant decrease in distribution of the Iowa-Illinois-Missouri population within recent historical time. Herkert (1992) reported declines in Illinois. Confidence in Rank Medium USDA-Forest Service R2 Sensitive Species Evaluation Form Page 1 of 1 ATTACHMENT SS2 Species: Kinosternon flavescens flavescens – yellow mud turtle Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations Not very threatened range-wide.
    [Show full text]
  • Yellow Mud Turtle Best Management Practices
    Best Management Practices for Construction and Development Projects Yellow Mud Turtle Kinosternon flavescens Common name • Yellow Mud Turtle Historical records indicate Yellow Mud Turtles were Scientific name • Kinosternon flavescens never common nor widespread in Missouri. However, destruction of wetlands and marshes, as well Federal status • None as the loss of native grasslands for agriculture and State status • Endangered urbanization projects may eliminate habitat for these turtles. In addition, degradation of remaining habitat Purpose and Use because of nonpoint source pollution and alteration of The information in this document is to be used to help water regimes continue to threaten the status of the avoid and minimize species impacts due to construction Yellow Mud Turtle in Missouri, as well as extensive nest practices. It is not intended to be used as a guide to predation and potential effects of herbicides. manage habitat for a given species. If that is the goal, please contact the Department of Conservation for Specific Recommendations habitat management information. Because every project Maintenance and restoration of wetlands is critical for and location differs, following the recommendations the survival of many species, including the Illinois Mud within this document does not ensure that impacts will Turtle. not occur to the species and additional information might be required in certain instances. Following the Avoid removing or destroying unique habitat recommendations within this document does not features, such as downed trees, that provide habitat complete Endangered Species Act consultation that may for the Yellow Mud Turtle. be necessary for species listed under the federal Draining or destroying known wetland habitat should Endangered Species Act; please contact the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation and Recovery of the Yellow Mud Turtle (Kinosternon Flavescens) in Mason and Tazewell Counties, Illinois
    CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY OF THE YELLOW MUD TURTLE (KINOSTERNON FLAVESCENS) IN MASON AND TAZEWELL COUNTIES, ILLINOIS BY ANDREW JAMES BERGER THESIS Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology in the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010 Urbana, Illinois Adviser: Associate Professor Christopher A. Phillips ABSTRACT The Yellow Mud Turtle, Kinosternon flavescens, is listed as state endangered in Illinois and has suffered severe declines throughout its Midwest range. Trapping surveys were performed to document the presence and distribution of K. flavescens inhabiting Mason and Tazewell counties, Illinois. Previous trapping in the study area from 1992-2001 resulted in a catch per unit effort of 0.1013 compared to recent studies conducted from 2007-2009, that resulted in a catch per unit effort of 0.0120. The results of recent trapping suggest a decline in numbers of K. flavescens in the study area despite protection of suitable habitat. The study area lies in the central Illinois range of K. flavescens, where much of the landscape has been modified for agricultural use, leaving very little terrestrial habitat suitable for aestivation, nesting and overwintering. Because K. flavescens is a philopatric species it is important to focus initial habitat conservation on areas known to be used by K. flavescens. Based on radio-telemetry observations of 25 K. flavescens, 40 terrestrial locations were identified as being suitable for aestivation, nesting and overwintering. These 40 locations occurred on grassland (38) or savannah (2) habitats and 37 of 40 locations occurred on the Plainfield Sand Soil Series.
    [Show full text]
  • Care of Mud and Musk Turtles
    CARE OF MUD AND MUSK TURTLES Our Turtle & Tortoise Care Sheets are meant as a general guideline to caring for your Turtle/Tortoise. Every specific species requires its own unique care - while many species are overlapping and can be kept with other species that have similar needs. For even more details about the needs of a specific species - or for ideas about which different species will go well together (many do), please contact us by phone or email. Thank you! GENERAL Most mud and musk turtles are small, hardy, and inquisitive, making them some of the best turtles to keep indoors. A large aquarium with a pair of musk turtles, good filtration, and plenty of driftwood and aquatic plants makes an ideal turtle display. DISTRIBUTION There are nineteen species of mud and musk turtles ranging from the northeastern United States and south to Central and South America. SIZE Most musk turtle hatchlings are very small. These small babies, however, are great feeders and are very hardy. Offer them an enclosure with water that is filtered and warmed to the 74-78° F (23-26° C) range. They need to be able to climb out of the water to bask, so keep the water level low (3-4 inches), offer them plenty of decorations, and place UVB-emitting bulbs over them. The decorations should provide them underwater exploration sites and also break the surface of the water to offer a good basking site. A spotlight with a low-wattage bulb (40-watt or 60-watt) should be placed over the most accessible basking spot.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Missouri's Turtles
    TurtlesMissouri’s By Jeffrey T. Briggler and Tom R. Johnson, Herpetologists 1 Missouri’s Turtles JIM RATHERT urtles and tortoises represent the oldest living species and includes some of the smallest species as well group of reptiles on earth. Reptiles are a class of as the largest freshwater turtle. The soft-shelled aquatic animals that includes crocodiles and alligators, group is represented by two species. The hard-shelled, lizards and snakes. Turtles are generally hard- land-dwelling turtles are represented by two species of Tshelled animals. They are known from fossils as far back box turtles; sometimes called “tortoises,” they are actu- as the Triassic Period—over 200 million years ago—and ally closely related to pond turtles such as cooters, sliders have changed little since they became established. There and painted turtles. are currently more than 260 known species of turtles and Turtle shells have two main parts: upper and lower tortoises in the world. Missouri has a total of 17 species sections, called the carapace and plastron, respectively. of turtles, with several subspecies or geographic races The shell of most species is composed of bony plates that represent four different families. covered by a layer of horny scales called scutes. Softshells, The turtles of Missouri can be divided into one of the however, have reduced bony plates that are covered by following three groups: hard-shelled aquatic turtles, soft- tough skin instead of scutes. shelled aquatic turtles and hard-shelled land turtles. The Aquatic turtles have a variety of habitat require- hard-shelled aquatic group has the greatest number of ments depending on the species.
    [Show full text]
  • The Habitat and Distribution of the Stinkpot, Sternotherus Odoratus, in Iowa
    Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS Volume 106 Number Article 4 1999 The Habitat and Distribution of the Stinkpot, Sternotherus odoratus, in Iowa Kristi K. Sutton Drake University James L. Christiansen Drake University Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy Copyright © Copyright 1999 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc. Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/jias Part of the Anthropology Commons, Life Sciences Commons, Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons, and the Science and Mathematics Education Commons Recommended Citation Sutton, Kristi K. and Christiansen, James L. (1999) "The Habitat and Distribution of the Stinkpot, Sternotherus odoratus, in Iowa," Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS, 106(3), 63-65. Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/jias/vol106/iss3/4 This Research is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa Academy of Science at UNI ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS by an authorized editor of UNI ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Jour. Iowa Acad. Sci. 106(3):63-65, 1999 The Habitat and Distribution of the Stinkpot, Sternotherus odoratus, in Iowa KRISTI K. SUTTON and JAMES L. CHRISTIANSEN1 Department of Biology, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa 50312 Twenty years of study have shown that the stinkpot, SternotheruJ odoratuJ and the Illinois mud turtle (KinoJternon j/aveJcem Jpoonert) occur in Iowa primarily in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Even though the turtles are found within a kilometer of each other, they are never sympatric.
    [Show full text]