Dedicated to California & Club Turtle & Tortoise Conservation, Preservation the Tortuga Gazette and Education Since 1964 Volume 55, Number 5 • September/October 2019

Dermochelys coriacea, the leatherback , photographed by Claudia Lombard, USFWS, at the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Public domain.

Leatherback Sea Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea

by M. A. Cohen Ahe leatherback Remarkable sea turtle, The onlyAncient living member of the Marinerche- per hour (0.5–2.8 meters per sec- TDermochelys coriacea, is, by lonian , the ond), ( Time, n.d.). any measure, an extraordinary che- leatherback has existed virtually D. coriacea can tolerate ocean lonian. Surpassed by only three unchanged since the Mesozoic temperatures that are much lower saltwater crocodile in size, Era, the “age of the dinosaurs.” The than other sea can en- the leatherback is the fourth larg- Mesozoic era is divided into three dure. Its front flippers are uniquely est and the largest living periods: “the Triassic period (245- well-endowed with blood vessels, turtle species in the world. 208 million years ago), the Jurassic and this, coupled with insulating Some other amazing facts about period (208-145 million years layers of fats and oils embedded in the leatherback: the species ”lays ago), and the Cretaceous period the thick, leathery skin (1.5 inches the largest eggs of all the turtles, (145-66 million years ago)” (dino- | 3.8 centimeters) on its carapace produces the heaviest clutch- database.com, 2005). contribute to this low-tempera- es of eggs, produces the largest The leatherback is the fastest ma- ture tolerance (Spotila, 2004). hatchlings, migrates the great- rine turtle, swimming in the open The leatherback is the only reptile est distances, grows faster than ocean at a maximum speed of that ventures into frigid sub-Arc- any other reptile, and is among the 21.92 miles per hour (35.28 kilo- tic waters of the North Atlantic widest ranging vertebrates on the meters per hour) with an average during its annual migration to its planet” (Spotila, 2004). swimming speed of 1.1–6.3 miles foraging grounds. During these 2 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019

C A Remarkable Ancient Mariner by M. A. Cohen 1 Care Society’s Annual Luau by Anita De Leon and John Wong 4 O Some Turtle Embryos Can Influence Their Own Sex by Shreya Dasgupta 8 N Trump Finalizes Disastrous Weakening of Act 9 T Mike’s Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, Ph.D 10 E Lawsuit Launched to Protect Habitat Threatened by N Sea-level Rise, Plastic Pollution, Warming T Meetings and Programs 11 The Turtle’s Garden: Grapevines (Vitis species) 12 S Herpetology 2019 — CHS Abstracts 14 journeys, the leatherback main- in a blunt point. It features seven temperatures (Spotila, 2004). tains a comparatively warm body prominent, lengthwise ridges Range and Habitat temperature as described in the that enable the leatherback to Distributed throughout the globe previous paragraph. aerodynamically navigate the vast in tropical, temperate, and the Migrating from its nesting grounds expanses of the open ocean during margins of sub-Arctic waters, D. on tropical and subtropical beach- its migrations. Colored white, coriacea has the widest range of es to its favored foraging grounds cream or pale pink, the plastron any marine turtles. in sub-Arctic seas, the leatherback of the species has five lengthwise ridges. Leatherback turtles are found in may navigate as many as 10,000 the North Atlantic waters as far miles (16,093 kilometers) of open Underneath its leathery skin, the north as Newfoundland, Nova ocean. leatherback’s carapace comprises Scotia, and Labrador, and in South The deepest documented dive of many small, interlocking “dermal Atlantic waters as far south as D. coriacea is some 4,000 feet bones” positioned above the ribs Argentina and South Africa. and just beneath the skin. Another (1,219 meters), deeper than any Populations of leatherbacks, while other marine turtle and most ma- unique characteristic of the species’ skeletal structure is that smaller than the Atlantic popula- rine mammals. The species is tion, also range throughout North capable of remaining submerged the ends of its bones feature thick cartilage with an abundance of and South Pacific waters as well as for as long as 85 minutes before it in the Indian Ocean. must surface for air (NOAA Fisher- blood vessels (Spotila, 2004). ies, n.d.). While its rear flippers are pad- The term “pelagic” describes animals that inhabit the open Description dle-shaped, the leatherback’s front-flipper “wingspan”, the seas. D. coriacea is primarily pe- Unlike other marine turtles that lagic throughout its life following have carapaces with keratinized distance from one tip to the other, scutes, a thickened “leathery” or can approach nine “rubbery” skin covers the leather- feet (2.7 meters). back’s carapace. The name Proportionately Dermochelys comprises two Greek larger than those of root words, dermo-, meaning skin, other marine turtles, and -chelys, meaning turtle. Mak- its front flippers have ing reference to the hide on its an extraordinary ar- carapace, the species name coria- rangement of veins and cea derives from a Latin root word arteries. These blood coria-, meaning leather. vessels are situated side-by-side, resulting Weighing from 550 to 2,000 in a “counter-current pounds (250 to 900 kilograms) blood-flow heat and reaching a length of up to 8 exchanger” system feet (2.3 meters), the dappled, that enables the leath- black carapace of the leatherback erback to withstand A necropsy photo of the interior of a leatherback’s esophagus. The is teardrop-shaped and terminates frigid sub-Arctic water keratinized spines lining the esophagus face backwards and help the turtle retain the gelatinous foods it favors. Public domain. 3 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019 hatching, and only female their populations worldwide leatherbacks return to land to are diminishing dramatical- nest. ly. The greatest threat to Foods and Feeding the leatherback’s survival is The leatherback’s migration being trapped as bycatch in from its nesting grounds to its fishing gear such as gillnets, feeding grounds is the stuff longlines, and trawls. Other of legend, hence its reputa- threats include harvesting of tion as an ancient mariner. their eggs, hunting by humans This migratory journey takes for their meat and their skin, D. coriacea from its tropical strikes from the propellers nesting beaches to the gla- and hulls of vessels, alteration cial waters of the sub-Arctic and destruction of nesting North Atlantic and North Pa- beaches, ocean pollution, and cific Oceans. plastic marine debris that may be mistaken for food (NOAA The annual migration of the Fisheries, n.d.). leatherback turtle is a quest Leatherback hatchlings emerge from their nest and head for the for its favorite foods, jellyfish sea. Photo by USFWS Southeast Region. Public domain. In 2012, the state of Califor- and salps, a journey that may nia designated the Pacific as the encompass 10,000 miles. leatherback swims ashore at night official state marine reptile. as well when she is ready to dig a nest and Jellyfish are planktonic, gelatinous as declaring the 13th of October lay her eggs. Estimates vary from marine invertebrates (animals Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle 8 to 12 days as to the interval be- lacking a backbone) with some Conservation Day. 200 identified species. Like tween nesting events during the jellyfish, salps are gelatinous inver- nesting season. Conservation measures enacted nationally and internationally to tebrates composed of numerous When nesting each season, female protect the declining populations individual organisms linked as a leatherbacks produce one to ten of D. coriacea include listing on chain when mature. clutches of 50 to 100 eggs per Convention on International Trade clutch. These eggs are the largest The carnivorous leatherback also in Endangered Species as Appen- of any marine turtle eggs, weighing consumes cephalopods (cuttlefish, dix 1, the International Union for 2.7 ounces (77 grams) each (Spo- octopus, and squid), crustaceans, the Conservation of Nature’s Red tila, 2004). fish, sea urchins, snails, starfish, List designation of Critically En- marine worms, and zooplankton, Like many other chelonian species, dangered, and the U.S. Endangered among other prey (Farmer, et al., leatherback turtles are subject Species Act listing of Endangered. 2007). to temperature-dependent sex [ Lacking the hard, crushing jaws determination, with a ratio of 50- characteristic of other marine 50 males to females produced at References 85°F (29.5°C). Hatchlings tend to turtles, the leatherback has Animals Time. (n.d.). Leatherback Sea Turtle sharp-edged jaws that are ideal emerge from their nests at night Facts. [online] Available at: for biting soft-bodied prey. Lining which increases their chances of http://animalstime.com/ its mouth, throat and esophagus eluding the many predators that leatherback-sea-turtle-facts-leather- back-sea-turtle-habitat-diet/ are backward-facing spines that lurk on the beach awaiting their arrival (Spotila, 2004). dinodatabase.com. (2005). The Age of Dino- assist with the consumption of saurs. [online] Available at: http://www. gelatinous prey, so the leatherback D. coriacea, being the fastest dinodatabase.com/dinoage.asp is well-suited to digest its prey. growing reptile, reaches repro- Farmer, A., Roszko, A., Fiore, S., Hatton, K., Com- These keratinized, spiked linings ductive maturity in 7 to 13 years bos, V., Helton, A.,s and Fontanes, F. (2007). Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback Sea Tur- in its digestive system equip the (Spotila, 2004), although esti- tle. [online] Diversity Web. Available species to hold and direct its mates of the age of maturity range at: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/ gelatinous prey into its lower di- from 6 to 29 years (NOAA, n.d.). Dermochelys_coriacea/ gestive tract (Farmer, et al., 2007). NOAA Fisheries. (n.d.). Leatherback Turtle. [on- Threats and Conservation line] Available at: https://www.fisheries.noaa. Reproduction With many serious threats gov/species/leatherback-turtle Mating in the water adjacent to Spotila, J. (2004). Sea Turtles. 1st ed. Balti- challenging the survival of the nesting beaches in tropical and more, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, leatherback, it is no wonder that temperate regions, the female pp.194-215. 4 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019 Care Society’s 2019 Annual Luau and Potluck Photography by Anita De Leon and text by John Wong

Care Society’s Annual Luau was held on July 19th 2019. The luau featured Hawai- ian food and food brought in by club members. The entertainment was performed by Tausala Polynesia. It was, as in past years, a night to remember. Aloha! p Helen Cain and Rusty Rustwen p Anita De Leon (center) with the Tausala Polynesia Dancers

p Robbie Rustwen and Greg Curtis

p Marcie Thompson

p James Hong

p Charlie and Debbie Fagan 5 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019

pLeft to right: Helen Cain, Paul and Marci Thompson, Naomi Higuchi, Tammy Wayne and Jeanne Klauk

p John Kim and Kurt Kraton

p Ralph Hoekstra p Hula Time!

p Gerald and Lucy Roach

p Becky Rustwen

t Left to right: Marci, Gerald, Alex Guerrero, Catie Chumley and Helen Cain

p Virginia and Mike Scully 6 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019

pLeft to right: a guest, Jerry Weir, Yolanda Keh, John and Joanie Wong, Marlene and Stan Landis

p Becky, Rusty and Robbie Rustwen

p Left to right: Michelle and John Kim, Mr. Gregory, Nicole Perlman, George Alcatraz, Kim Ayres, Ginny Doepping

uHaving a great time at the luau!

p Richard Roosman, Angela and Kurt Kraton

p Goodies! p Luau time! 7 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019 8 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019 Some turtle embryos can influence their own sex, study finds by Shreya Dasgupta; posted on Mongabay.com on 2 August 2019

8 The sex of some turtle between cool and warm, the eggs laboratory — using eggs collected species is influenced not by produce a mix of male and female from a private commercial turtle genes but by the tempera- babies. farm in China’s Zhejiang province — tures they experience in the The Chinese three-keeled pond and in an outdoor pond where farm nests. Embryos of the Chi- turtle (also called the Chinese turtles had laid some eggs. nese pond turtle, however, pond turtle) is one such species. When incubation temperatures can move inside the eggs to- But its embryos seem to have are cooler than 26 degrees Cel- ward cooler or hotter spots some control over their own sexual sius (79 degrees Fahrenheit), the and influence their own sex, fate, according to a new study. turtle’s eggs all hatch male babies. at least to some extent, a When the temperature rises above new study has found. The embryos can move inside the eggs toward cooler or hotter 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees 8 This is good news because spots, researchers have found, Fahrenheit), every embryo is a it means that, at least in influencing their own sex to some female. At 29 degrees Celsius (84 theory, the turtles might be extent. This is good news because degrees Fahrenheit), or the pivotal able to buffer some of the it means that, at least in theory, temperature, the eggs are known predicted shifts in the sex the turtles might be able to buffer to produce a 50:50 sex ratio. ratio because of climate some of the predicted shifts in sex The researchers used capsazepine, change. ratio because of climate change. a chemical that blocks the eggs 8 But while the embryos Since hotter temperatures pro- from sensing temperature, on half seem to be influencing their duce only female babies, rising of both the laboratory and outdoor sex under ideal conditions, temperatures due to climate eggs, and monitored the embryos researchers say that it may change could end up creating pop- throughout their development. not be enough to counter ulations of mostly female turtles, When the eggs hatched, the team the rapidly changing climate scientists say, leading to popula- found that the embryos inside the brought about by human tion declines. eggs treated with capsazepine activities. “Our research shows that a reptile did not move as much compared embryo is not just a to those in eggs that hadn’t been passive victim of global treated. The treated eggs also warming, but may produced all male babies when the control their own sex incubation temperature was low, fate to some degree,” and all females when the tem- Du Wei-Guo, a pro- perature was high. Embryos in the fessor at the Chinese untreated eggs, meanwhile, had Academy of Sciences moved around inside the eggs and and corresponding au- hatched into a 50:50 mix of male thor of the study, told and female turtles. Mongabay. “Until a few years ago, we thought In previous research, that even given the choice, turtles Du and his colleagues would not be able to choose among Chinese pond turtle, reevesii. Image by Σ64. Source: had shown that embry- temperatures in the egg,” Rory Wikimedia Commons; license CC-BY-3.0. os of the freshwater Telemeco, an assistant profes- Chinese pond turtle sor at California State University, (Mauremys reevesii), an endan- Fresno, who was not involved in The sex of some turtle species is gered species, move inside eggs the study, told Mongabay in an influenced not by genes but by the in response to temperatures. email. “Then, thanks to earlier temperatures they experience in The significance of this behavior, work by this laboratory, as well the nest. Eggs incubated at cooler though, remained unclear. as myself and other colleagues, temperatures develop into males, we thought that [embryos] could while those that face warmer tem- To find out more, the researchers choose among temperatures, but peratures turn out to be females. conducted experiments on Chi- may never be given the opportu- When temperatures fluctuate nese pond turtle eggs both in the nity in nature. This study confirms 9 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019 that, at least in this species of sex under ideal conditions, those a panacea allowing this species turtle, both the choice of thermal conditions “might not be available or others to respond to climate environment and ability to choose much of the time, especially given change,” he added. among them can be available for climate change predictions.” Ideal conditions aside, Du agreed embryos. Moreover, when available, “For embryos to meaningfully alter that the embryos’ power over embryos appear able to make the their temperatures within the their own sex may not be enough ‘good’ choice and choose the envi- egg, eggs must be large, near the to counter the rapidly changing ronment that will result in a more surface, and average temperature climate brought about by human 50:50 sex ratio.” during a 1-month window must be activities. very close to the pivotal tempera- But a turtle embryo likely has very “However, the discovery of this limited control over its own sex ture for sex determination,” Tele- meco said. “This study confirmed surprising level of control in such in the wild, researchers say. “The a tiny organism suggests that in sexes of the baby turtles are most that this behavior only works under those conditions. at least some cases, evolution has sensitive to conditions available in conferred an ability to deal with the environment and the mother’s “Most produce eggs that such challenges,” Du said. [ nesting choices,” Telemeco said. are too small, or buried too deep, or exposed to too extreme of average Citation: The extent to which the embryos Ye, Y., Ma, L., Sun, B., Li, T., Wang, Y., Shine, R., and can counteract the effects of cli- conditions for this behavioral re- Du, W. (2019) The embryos of turtles can influ- mate change also remains unclear. sponse to have any effect. There- ence their own sexual destinies. Current Biology. fore, we cannot consider embryo doi:10.1016/j.cub.2019.06.038 Telemeco said that while the em- behavioral thermoregulation to be bryos seem to be influencing their Trump Finalizes Disastrous Weakening of Endangered Species Act Rollback Threatens Wildlife Across Country, Will Face Legal Challenge­—Center for Biological Diversity press release Washington DC—12 August 2019— to block this rewrite, which only consultations, impacts to criti- In a massive attack on imperiled serves the oil industry and other cal habitat will be ignored unless wildlife, the Trump administration polluters who see endangered spe- they impact the entirety of an today finalized rollbacks to regula- cies as pesky inconveniences.” animal’s habitat. This disregards tions implementing key provisions One set of regulatory changes the cumulative “death-by-a-thou- of the Endangered Species Act. weaken the consultation process sand-cuts” process that is the The changes, which could lead to designed to prevent harm to en- most common way wildlife declines extinction for hundreds of animals dangered animals and their habi- toward extinction. and plants, are illegal and will be tats from federal agency activities. The new rules will also prohibit challenged in court. A second set curtails the designa- designation of critical habitat for The three rules finalized today tion of critical habitat and weakens species threatened by climate were developed under the super- the listing process for imperiled change, even though, in many vision of David Bernhardt, the sec- species. A third regulation would cases, these species are also retary of the U.S. Department of eliminate all protections for wildlife threatened by the Interior and a former fossil fuel newly designated as “threatened” and other factors. The rollbacks industry lobbyist. They severely under the Act. will also preclude designation of weaken protections for threatened The changes are part of a broader critical habitat for areas where and endangered species across effort by the Trump administration species need to move to avoid the country. to undercut protections for the climate impacts. “These changes crash a bulldozer nation’s air, land, wildlife and water. The new rules will sharply limit through the Endangered Species “These regulations are totally out wildlife agencies’ ability to desig- Act’s lifesaving protections for of touch with the American public, nate critical habitat in unoccupied America’s most vulnerable wild- which broadly supports endan- areas needed for recovery. That life,” said Noah Greenwald, the gered species protections,” Green- ignores the fact that many threat- Center for Biological Diversity’s wald said. “We’ll do everything in ened and endangered species have endangered species director. “For our power to get these dangerous lost substantial range and need animals like wolverines and mon- regulations rescinded, including their historic habitats preserved to arch butterflies, this could be the going to court.” provide living space for recovering beginning of the end. We’ll fight populations. [ the Trump administration in court Under a change relating to federal 10 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019

Mike’s Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, Ph.D. A varied selection of recent articles, stories and sites on the Web that some of you may find as interesting as I did. This list is also posted at tortoise.org/turtlenetpicks/turtlenetpicks.html How Turtles Got Their Shells Perth Zoo Releases 73 Western Turtle Embryos May Be Able to Brief overview of what we know about tur- Swamp Influence Their Sex by Moving tle shell evolution from the Smithsonian. Seventy three western swamp tortoises Around Inside the Egg How Sea Turtles Find Their hatched at Perth Zoo were released to the Incubation temperature can determine sex Way Home wild in the single biggest wild release of in many species of turtle. A controversial Scientific review of natal homing by this very rare Australian turtle. new study suggests that the temperature magnetic navigation in sea turtles (and Keeping Turtle Nesting Beach- gradient across a turtle egg may be large salmon). es Clean enough such that an embryo can move within it and thus influence its own sex! Home’s Hinge-back Tortoises Sarasota, Florida teenager invents ‘Turtle The National Zoo is now home to 3 young Safe Toy Box’ to save turtle hatchlings by Dog Days of Summer Home’s hinge-backs, homeana. reducing plastic waste. Injured turtles are being helped with old-fashioned “bra hooks” that are being Hatchling Nests Up reused to anchor shell fragments as they Who needs cat videos when you can watch knit back together. � a hatchling pancake tortoise playing with In 2019, North Carolina has seen the a pencil? largest number of sea turtle nests ever African Sea Turtle Newsletter recorded for the state. Latest issue now available. Impacts of Feral Sliders on Western Pond Turtles Feds Sued to Protect Green Marine Turtle Newsletter New study finds introduced red-eared Sea Turtle Habitat Latest issue now available.. sliders compete for food with western Conservationists are suing the federal Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter pond turtles but the negative impacts government for failing to designate critical Latest issue now available on basking in natural contexts are more habitat for the 11 listed populations of threatened green sea turtles. CTTC on Facebook limited. For breaking news updates visit and “like” Big‐head Turtle Behavior us on Facebook! Study of a captive population finds evidence of multiple paternity and male hierarchy in Chinese bighead‐ turtles, Platysternon megacephalum.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Green Sea Turtle Habitat Threatened by Sea-level Rise, Plastic Pollution, Warming — Turtle Island Restoration Network press release St. Petersburg, Florida—13 August beaches — the agen- 2019—The Center for Biological cies failed to protect Diversity, Sea Turtle Oversight the turtle’s critical Protection and Turtle Island habitat under the Act. Restoration Network today filed a “The recovery of most notice of intent to sue the federal green sea turtle pop- government for failing to protect ulations is a beacon of green sea turtle habitat, which hope in our changing faces threats from sea-level rise, oceans, but we’ve got plastic pollution and warming. to protect the places In response to green sea turtle they live,” said Jaclyn population recovery, the National Lopez, Florida direc- Marine Fisheries Service and Fish tor at the Center for and Wildlife Service in 2016 found Biological Diversity. that growing climate change and “Protecting sea turtle Green turtle, Chelonia mydas, photographed at John Pennekamp sea-level-rise threats mean the Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, Florida. Photo © 2008 by Daniel habitat will keep them Schwen; source: Wikimedia Commons; license: CC-BY-SA-4.0. turtles remain threatened and crossing oceans and still need Endangered Species Act loyally coming ashore to dig nests “The Trump administration’s moral protections. Despite those threats on our beaches.” and legal attacks on our country’s — particularly to low-lying nesting greatest achievements extend all 11 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019 the way to the gentle and defense- less sea turtles that are guaran- Meetings and Programs teed protection under the En- Click on your Chapter’s website link for the latest program information. Programs dangered Species Act,” said Todd may be scheduled after newsletter publication. Steiner, biologist and executive di- rector of Turtle Island Restoration Chino Valley: 20 September; Ridgecrest: 9 September; 14 October Network. “It is unconscionable.” 18 October Santa Barbara-Ventura: Contact A 2019 peer-reviewed study by Foothill: 27 September– Dr. Marlene the chapter for meeting Center scientists found most Anschultz on Tortoise Brumation; information. marine species listed under the 25 October–Dr. Michael Tuma on Santa Clarita: 21 September Endangered Species Act are re- Pancake Tortoises covering. Listed species with crit- TOOSLO (San Luis Obispo): High Desert: 9 September; 17 September; 15 October ical habitat protections and those 14 October listed for more than 20 years are TTCS (Long Beach): 20 September; most likely to be rebounding. Inland Empire: 6 September; 18 October 4 October “Coastal nesting beaches are los- Valley: 20 September; 18 October ing suitable nesting habitat due to Kern County: 9 September; 14 October Executive Board: 12 October. sea level rise, as well as increased Meetings take place at the Los temperatures, which further jeop- Low Desert: 7 October Angeles County Arboretum in ardizes the survival of green sea Orange County: 13 September; Arcadia, CA. turtle,” said Richard Whitecloud, 11 October founding director of STOP. “It is the government’s responsibility to protect this essential habitat to ensure these marine turtles survive.” Federal experts have found that green sea turtles should be con- Classified Advertisements sidered 11 distinct populations, or 00 “distinct population segments.” Classified advertisements run for one issue at $5 for up to four lines. Ads are Although some sea turtle popu- accepted at the discretion of the Editor. Classified ads are available to members lations are improving significantly and subscribers only and are run as a service to our members. California Turtle due to the protections of the En- & Tortoise Club is not responsible for merchandise placed for sale in the Tortuga dangered Species Act, like those in Gazette. Florida, several populations contin- Please make your check payable to the California Turtle & Tortoise Club. ue to struggle. The Mediterranean, Please send ad fee to: CTTC Tortuga Gazette, attn Treasurer, P. O. Box 7300, Van Central South Pacific and Central Nuys, CA 91409-7300. West Pacific populations remain Mail fee with ad copy to the Tortuga Gazette mailing address; OR, mail fee to the in danger of extinction and remain postal address above, and email the ad copy to the Gazette Editor. listed as “endangered.” The Endangered Species Act prohibits federal agencies from California Turtle & Tortoise Club: a Society The Tortuga Gazette (ISSN 1073-1334) is owned authorizing activities that will de- Dedicated to Turtle & Tortoise Preservation, by the California Turtle & Tortoise Club Execu- Conservation and Education since 1964. Pro- tive Board, which is incorporated in the State of stroy or harm a listed species’ crit- moting and Facilitating the Care, Rescue and California as a Not-for-Profit Corporation and is ical habitat. Animals with federally Adoption of Native and Nonnative Turtles and tax-exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3). protected critical habitat are more Tortoises. All material is copyright © CTTC unless than twice as likely to be recover- otherwise attributed. CTTC policy permits repro- ing as species without it. [ duction of articles by other not-for-profit groups and educational institutions when permission is requested. Permission is granted on a case-by- Erratum: an inadvertent conversion error Is your email address changing? occurred on page 5 of the July/August case basis and CTTC must be cited as the source Update your email address through your of the material. 2019 Tortuga Gazette. The photo caption MailChimp account by clicking the “Update Views expressed in the Tortuga Gazette are should read as follows: “The desert tor- Your Preferences” link on your newsletter those of the contributors and not necessarily toise can live where ground temperatures notice. Or send your changes and corrections those of the Editor or the California Turtle & Tor- may top 140 degrees F [60 degrees C] be- to [email protected] toise Club. cause it digs burrows to escape the heat.” 12 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019

the Grapevines: species Turtles Vitis arden panting or heonians by M A Cohen member of the Vitaceae appear in spring, A family of vining plants, the the leaves turn grapevine genus Vitis includes medium green some 60 different species world- as they mature. wide. The grapevine is an excellent Following the choice for edible landscaping, season of providing wholesome, natural food, growth and fruit dramatic seasonal color changes, production, a and versatility in the garden. spectacular While many areas worldwide have Ripe clusters of Vitis californica, the California wild grape. Photo by Dr. G. autumn display Dallas and Margaret Hanna © California Academy of Sciences. Reprinted with of red, orange, native grape species, according to permission. Rutuja Jathar, the “motherlands of and yellow oc– curs prior to the grapes” are Western Asia and Cen- This column will profile twoVitis shedding of the leaves. tral Europe. The grape is likely the species, the California wild grape oldest domesticated fruit. It was and the wine grape. California wild grape will grow in cultivated by European residents California Wild Grape, Vitis full sun as well as partial shade. beginning 6,000 to 8,000 years californica Fast-growing and easy to raise, ago during the Neolithic Era. this rambunctious vine can grow A California native plant that is 10 to 40 feet (3 to 12 meters). It Grapevines made their way to also endemic to southwestern is important to give this species Greece from Asia with Phoenician Oregon, the California wild grape is ample room to grow and a strong traders around 1000 BCE [ed. also known as the Northern Cali- support system on which to climb. note: Before Common/Current fornia grape and the Pacific grape. Era], and from Greece grapes An adaptable species, V. californica While in nature the species often spread to Spain and Portugal. will thrive in soil types ranging grows in riparian habitats (those The Mediterranean region proved from clay to sandy loam providing adjacent to streams or rivers), to be a favorable climate for the the soil has good drainage. being a California native plant, it cultivation of grapes. is also capable of withstanding In botanical terminology, the Spanish and Portuguese settlers periods of drought. V. californica grape is a berry, a fleshy fruit that introduced European wine grapes, prefers moderate garden contains one or more seeds but no V. vinifera, to America. Many parts watering in the landscape, but stone. The grape berry is produced of America have harsh winters that is drought-tolerant once it is by a single flower with one ovary. kill off grapevines, but California established. Other common berries include and a few other temperate areas currants, bananas, and tomatoes. A winter-deciduous climbing vine, proved beneficial for viticulture, Curiously, the fruits commonly V. californica climbs by way of the specialized term for grape called strawberries and raspber- tendrils 1 that wrap around nearly cultivation. Today 90% of grapes ries are not berries in the botanical any available support. produced in America are grown in sense. Vines produce comparatively large, California. Given its tendency to overtake somewhat round leaves, 2 to 4 Nutritionally speaking, grapes an area, V. californica typically inches (5 to 10 centimeters) in size provide carbohydrates, protein, requires pruning to manage its at maturity. Gray-green when they natural sugar, dietary fiber, antiox- size in the garden. During winter idants, minerals including calcium, 1 tendril: a threadlike structure that is dormancy, prune grapevines to phosphorus, magnesium, copper, a specialized leaf, petiole or stem which control their unruly tendencies. and iron, and vitamins including twines around any suitable support. A pet- Prune as needed any time of year vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. iole is a stalk that attaches a leaf blade to if the tendrils attempt to wrap the stem of the plant. 13 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019 around neighboring shrubs or trees major areas in which wine grapes grapes need full sun on their or any other unsuitable object. are cultivated include parts of Ari- leaves in to thrive and In the wild, many species of wildlife zona, parts of Oregon, and parts of produce an abundance of fruit. If utilize V. californica for food as Washington state. To some extent, necessary, plant the grape’s roots well as for shelter, and bees are grapes are grown in all 50 states in shade as long as the leaves are attracted to its flowers. in the United States in areas that in sun. Viticulturists recommend offer microclimates conducive to moderate watering and regular Here are a couple of tips to keep in grape cultivation. pruning of either the spurs or the mind when considering placement Either by horticulturists or by canes, depending on variety. It is of a grapevine. California wild beyond the scope of this article to grape loses its leaves in late fall, so chance, European grapes - ized with native American grapes, discuss these specialized pruning nearby planting beds will require techniques. somewhat tedious leaf clean-up. and today these are known as ‘American hybrids.’ These hybrid Training the vines on a sturdy Grape clusters will eventually dry trellis, arbor, fence, or the like and drop off the vines. The result is important, because the is many “volunteer” seedlings as grapevines grow rampantly as the grape seeds in the fruit ger- they mature. Such training and minate. Remove grape clusters support promotes good fruit before they dry out and begin to production. drop to avoid a deluge of grape seedlings. To reduce the possibility of fun– gal diseases such as powdery Because it is extremely disease mildew, place your grapevine in resistant, the California wild an area with plenty of sunshine, grape is often used as the plenty of room to grow, and abun- rootstock onto which more dis- dant air circulation. Stagnant air ease-prone European varieties increases the chance of disease are grafted. development. European or Wine Grape, Before grapes are fully ripe, they Vitis vinifera taste sour because of their malic Native to Central Europe, the acid content. As they ripen, the Mediterranean region, and malic acid content of the grapes southwestern Asia, V. vinifera is decreases and the natural sugar not only the source of wine but A cluster of California wine grapes in the process of content increases. Grapes should also table grapes. Worldwide veraison, the onset of ripening when grapes grow in size, be harvested when they are there are thousands of varieties change color, and develop sweetness. Red grapes change fully ripened in late summer or from green to red; “white” grapes change from opaque to of V. vinifera, but only about early autumn. Timing is critical, 50 of these are commercially translucent. Photo © 2006 by Thomas Oldcastle. Source: Creative Commons; license CC-BY-SA-2.5. as ripening stops at the time of important for the production of harvest. [ wine, table grapes, fruit juice, and varieties are generally disease-re- raisins (dried grapes). References sistant, a highly desirable quality. Brenzel, ed., K. (2012). The Sunset Western Prior to cultivation, foragers and Each variety of V. vinifera has its Garden Book. 1st ed. New York: Time-Warner farmers harvested wild grapes. own growth requirements. Some Entertainment, Inc., pp.342-345; 652. Domestication of the grape by need more or less heat and more Brewer, A. (2019). Vitis californica-California people began thousands of years Wild Grape. [online] UC Master Gardener Pro- or less humidity, and some have gram of Sonoma County. Available at: http:// ago. The earliest records of the more cold tolerance or disease sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Plant_of_the_Month/ fermentation of grape juice for resistance than others. Consult Vitis_californica-California_Wild_Grape/ wine making are from Egypt. Wine knowledgeable resources to learn Jathar, R. (2018). The Origin and History of played a part in the ceremonial life about the requirements of the Grapes. [online] Nutrineat. Available at: https:// of the ancient Egyptians but was nutrineat.com/the-origin-history-of-grapes grape varieties you are thinking Szalay, J. (2016). Grapes: Health Benefits not imbibed socially. about growing. Contact your local & Nutrition Facts. [online] LiveScience. Introduced into North America in Cooperative Extension Office for Available at: https://www.livescience. the 17th century, the wine grape information on the best grape com/54581-grapes-nutrition.html varieties for your particular area. Trinklein, D. (2013). Grapes: A Brief History. was brought to the area now [online] Integrated Pest Management. known as California in the 18th Regardless of the variety, all Available at: https://ipm.missouri.edu/ century by the Spanish. Other MEG/2013/8/Grapes-A-Brief-History/ 14 Tortuga Gazette 55(5) • September/October 2019

Herpetology 2019 — Abstracts prepared by the Chicago Herpetological Society staff Rainfall and Predation of for natural nests the decrease and to help inform the subsequent Terrapin Nests was nearly significant. Predation field-intensive survey efforts, the rates on natural and artificial nests authors developed an environmen- R. A Czaja et al. [2018, Journal of were inversely correlated with tal DNA (eDNA) method capable Herpetology 52(4):402-405] note the amount of rain on the day the of providing presence data even that many turtle species, including nests were laid or constructed. in systems with high turbidity and diamond-backed terrapins (Malac- These results indicate that selec- suspended organic material. The lemys terrapin), often nest shortly tion may favor turtles that nest assay utilizes probe-based quan- before and during rainstorms. soon before or during rainfall. titative polymerase chain reaction The authors test the hypothesis and reliably amplifies M. temmickii that rain can decrease the likeli- § § § eDNA in both lentic [slow-mov- hood that nests will be depredat- ing freshwater] and lotic [rapid- ed, presumably by reducing the Detecting Alligator Snap- ly-moving freshwater] systems, chemical, tactile, or visual clues ping Turtles with no amplification observed that predators use to locate turtle S. M. Feist et al. [2018, Chelo- in other nontarget, sympatric nests. They analyzed the impact nian Conservation and Biology turtle species. The novel eDNA of rainfall on predation rates of 17(2)271-279] note that the alliga- method developed, optimized, and diamond-backed terrapin nests in tor snapping turtle ( field-tested in this study provides Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, New temminckii) is under consideration a promising tool for detection of York, June-July 2016. Natural and for listing as a federally endan- alligator snapping turtles, with artificial nests built on days with gered species. Distributional resultant presence data likely to no rain or varying amounts of rain data and estimates of population provide beneficial for the man- were monitored for 5 days after sizes are needed to make a sound agement and conservation of this oviposition/construction. Preda- decision regarding listing, but this species. tion rates were similar for both information is largely unavailable artificial and natural nests and due to the immense effort required Originally published in the Bulletin of the Chicago decreased when nests were laid Herpetological Society, 54(4): 98-99, 2019. for M. temminckii trapping surveys. Reprinted with permission. on rainy days. For artificial nests To alleviate difficulty in detection that decrease was significant, and

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