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The Tortuga Gazette and Education Since 1964 Volume 56, Number 1 • January/February 2020

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The Tortuga Gazette and Education Since 1964 Volume 56, Number 1 • January/February 2020 Dedicated to CALIFORNIA TURTLE & TORTOISE CLUB Turtle & Tortoise Conservation, Preservation, the Tortuga Gazette and Education Since 1964 Volume 56, Number 1 • January/February 2020 Glyptemys muhlenbergii, the bog turtle, photographed during a long-term study tracking bog turtle populations. This image was captured in habitat in a south- ern Appalachian bog in western North Carolina by US Fish and Wildlife staff. Public domain. Bog Turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii (Schoepff, 1801) by M. A. Cohen A Critically Endangered Flagship Species he smallest species of turtle The bog turtle (C. muhlenbergii) What is a flagship species ? Tendemic to North America, the prior to 2001 was one of four A phrase used in the field of conserva- semi-aquatic bog turtle inhabits species belonging to the genus tion biology, the term “flagship species” is wetlands and bogs in the eastern Clemmys in the family Emydidae. characterized by theWorld Wildlife Fund United States. For those who may The spotted turtle (C. gutatta), the for Nature as “a species selected to act be unfamiliar with the term, “a bog wood turtle (C. insculpta), and the as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a is a freshwater wetland of soft, western pond turtle (C. marmora- defined habitat, issue, campaign or envi- ronmental cause.” spongy ground consisting mainly ta) were the three other members of partially decayed plant matter of the genus at that time. The concept of the flagship species, called peat,” according to the Na- Following DNA analyses of the four whether a plant or an animal, was con- tional Geographic Society. “Bogs ceived to raise awareness of biodiversity Clemmys species, researchers are generally found in cool, north- conservation within an ecosystem. By determined that the bog turtle prompting recognition and conservation ern climates. They often develop in and the wood turtle were closely of the flagship species itself, this concept poorly draining lake basins created related. These two species were promotes the protection of the species’ by glaciers during the most recent subsequently assigned to a new entire biological community. ice age“ (Bog, no date). genus termed Glyptemys, a name 2 Tortuga Gazette 56(1) • January/February 2020 C A Critically Endangered Flagship Species by M. A. Cohen 1 O Galápagos Conservancy News 4 N Our Galápagos Adventure by Vicki and Alex Jaramillo 6 T Turtle & Tortoise Care Society’s 2019 “OkTurtleFest” 8 E Largest Turtle Release on Record For Guatemala 11 N Mike’s Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, Ph.D. 12 T Meetings and Programs S 2020 CTTC Directory 13 derived from the Latin root words scutes may be solid in coloration or northwestern South Carolina, glypt-, meaning carved, and emys, may have a lighter center. northern Georgia, and eastern Ten- meaning turtle (Virginia Her- Lacking any hinges, the species’ nessee (Ernst and Lovich 2009). petological Society). Following plastron is brown to black with The preferred habitats of the bog publication of the DNA analyses lighter asymmetrical markings turtle include spring-fed sphag- in 2001, the bog turtle became at the midline (Ernst and Lovich num (peat moss) bogs, swamps, known as Glyptemys muhlenbergii 2009). and marshy meadows with clear, and the wood turtle, G. insculpta. The head of the bog turtle is typ- slow-moving rivulets and brooks As for the other two species in the ically dark brown with prominent having soft bottoms, according to genus Clemmys, the spotted turtle blotches of bright yellow, orange, Ernst and Lovich. remained in that genus as the sole or red above and behind the tym- Diurnal Activities species. Taxonomists assigned panum (ear drum) on both sides A word meaning ‘active in the day- the western pond turtle to a new of its head. Its limbs and tail are time,’ the term diurnal typically genus, and it became Actinemys dark in color and may have mottled implies two periods of activity with marmorata. markings of orange or red. an interval of inactivity in between. Also known as Muhlenberg’s turtle, The male bog turtle is typically In many chelonian species, includ- this species was named in honor larger than the female. The tail of ing the bog turtle, activity begins of Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst Muhlen- the male is noticeably longer and in early morning as the animal berg (1753-1815), an American thicker than that of the female, emerges from nighttime cover clergyman who was a self-taught and his plastron is concave. The to bask. Being ectothermic, i.e., botanist. While studying the native female has a comparatively higher dependent on the external tem- flora on his property in Lancaster and wider carapace than that of perature, many turtles bask until County, Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg the male, and her plastron is flat. they gain sufficient warmth to be- discovered this diminutive turtle gin actively seeking food or mates. in his millpond (Virginia Herpeto- Although there are minor varia- logical Society, no date). In 1801 tions in the appearances of bog As the air temperature rises during Johann David Schoepff, a German turtles from different geographical the warmest part of the day, many botanist and physician, formally regions, there are no recognized ectotherms seek protective cover described the species, naming it subspecies of G. muhlenbergii. for purposes of thermoregulation. Testudo muhlenbergii. Range and Habitat They rest to lower their body tem- Occurring in disconnected pop- perature until the air temperature Description cools in the evening, at which time Rarely exceeding a carapace ulations in the eastern United States, the bog turtle primarily bog turtles emerge from their mid- length of 4 inches (10 centime- day cover for an evening feeding. ters), the bog turtle averages 3 to inhabits western Massachusetts, 3.5 inches (7.6 to 8.9 centimeters) Connecticut, eastern New York, Of course, there are variations in long (Oguni). Varying in coloration eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, these activity patterns depending from light brown to mahogany to northern Delaware, and north- on geography, weather, and other black, the carapace of the species ern Maryland. Populations also factors. Basking occurs predom- is somewhat domed with a low occur in northwestern New York inantly on land, and occasionally medial keel, and its scutes have a and Pennsylvania, southern Vir- in shallow water. Researchers ob- roughened, “carved” texture. The ginia, western North Carolina, serve that G. muhlenbergii is 3 Tortuga Gazette 56(1) • January/February 2020 pondweed, arrow arum, skunk populations because the species cabbage, dryland blueberry, and is comparatively small, attractively cattail, among others (Ernst and colored and does well in captivity. Lovich 2009). Furthermore, biologists have iden- Reproduction tified various external parasites Because the bog turtle is so small and disease-causing bacteria that and so secretive, its reproduc- pose serious health threats to G. Bog turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii, basking. tive cycles and behavior are not muhlenbergii. Photo by R. G. Tucker, Jr./USFWS. Public domain. well-studied. Biologists surmise Additionally, habitat destruction that the onset of reproductive of wetlands for development, usually more active on cloudy days maturity will vary by geographic pollution of watershed lands, and than on days with bright sunshine location; typically the bog turtle vehicle traffic all threaten remain- (Oguni). matures in 5 to 8 years (Oguni). ing bog turtle populations (Ernst While the bog turtle is generally Researchers have observed mat- and Lovich 2009) diurnal, researchers have doc- ing in the afternoon not long after Conservation umented nocturnal activities in bog turtles emerge from bruma- Listed as CITES I (international some northern populations. Sim- tion. G. muhlenbergii will frequently commercial trade is prohibited) ilarly, there is a prevailing belief mate with more than one partner and ‘Endangered’ under the federal that the species is most active in during each mating season. Endangered Species Act, the bog spring, yet researchers have found Having a low rate of reproduction, turtle is classified as ‘Critically En- some individuals to be active as the female bog turtle lays only 1 to dangered’ by the IUCN Red List of late in the year as December. 6 eggs per clutch in June and July, Threatened Species as of 2010. v Dormancy the average clutch size being 3. References Brumation (reptile hibernation) Females may then “become unre- Ernst, C.H. and Lovich, J.E. (2009). Turtles of the ceptive” after one or two mating United States and Canada. Second edition. for the bog turtle begins from late Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University September to November, and end- episodes, typically nesting just Press. Pp. 263-271. ing in March or April. Likely spots once per season, and may not pro- Bog. [online]. Available from: https://www.na- for brumation include the bases duce a clutch every season. tionalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/bog/ of tree stumps, meadow vole and In contrast, males will continue Oguni, J. Bog Turtle Glyptemys muhlenbergii. muskrat burrows, and the soft, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. [online]. attempting to mate with as many Available from: https://srelherp.uga.edu/ silted bottoms of waterways. Bog females as they can throughout turtles/glymuh.htm. turtles may brumate singly or in the species’ April-to-July mating Bog Turtle. [online]. Available from: https://www. small or large groups. season (Ernst and Lovich 2009; virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/ This species may estivate in sum- Oguni). turtles/bog-turtle/bog_turtle1.php. mer when the air temperature Stanford, C. (2018). Turtles in Trouble: the Threats World’s 25+ Most Endangered Tortoises and rises. Bog turtles often seek sub- Because it is so small, the bog Freshwater Turtles: Bog Turtle. Ojai, CA: Tur- terranean places such as wetland turtle is prey for an array of larg- tle Conservation Coalition. tunnels, either partly or completely er animals, including raccoons, flooded, in which to estivate.
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