California & Club the Tortuga Gazette Dedicated to Turtle & Tortoise Preservation, Conservation and Education Volume 54, Number 3 May/June 2018

Male Gulf Coast , Terrapene carolina major. Photo by the National Park Service. Public domain. Gulf Coast Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina major (Agassiz, 1857)

North America’s Largest Box Turtle by M. A. Cohen s its common name implies, Besides the Gulf Coast box turtle, The North American box are the Gulf Coast box turtle is the Carolina Group comprises the all members of the , A indigenous to several south- eastern box turtle (T. c. carolina), the commonly known as pond or marsh ern states with coastlines on the Gulf three-toed box turtle (T. c. triunguis), turtles. of Mexico. The largest of and the Florida box turtle (T. c. bau- While most box turtles that are the four living in the Terra- ri). The Ornata (western) Group of native to North America are de- pene carolina (Eastern box turtle) North American box turtles consists scribed as terrestrial, the Gulf Coast complex, T. c. major belongs to the of the (Terrapene subspecies is characterized as Carolina (eastern) Group, one of two ornata ornata) and the desert box semiaquatic because it favors more regional groups into which North turtle (T. ornata luteola) [Identification humid ecosystems than other North American box turtles are divided. Guide to Eastern Box Turtles, n.d.]. American species, and it is never far 2 May/June 2018

North America’s Largest Box Turtle by M. A. Cohen 1 C Feds Propose Increasing Destructive Off-road Vehicle Access in Mojave Desert 4 O Texas Proposes Ending Unsustainable Commercial Wild Turtle Trapping 5 The Turtle Crisis by John R. Platt 6 N Mike’s Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, Ph. D. 10 T Missouri Bans Destructive Commercial Trapping of Wild Turtles 11 E The Turtle’s Garden: Hollyhock, Alcea rosea 12 Meetings and Programs 13 N Galápagos: Pinzón Giant Returning 14 T Continued Recovery of Pinzón Island; S 163 Tortoises Repatriated to Cinco Cerros, Isabela Island 15 Shoring up Seemore the ’s Shell 16 from a riparian feature, i.e., a individuals with three toes on their to identify any single subspecies pond, lake, marsh, stream, swamp, or hind feet do exist. Because hybrids in these individuals without other source of water. are common among T. carolina genetic analysis ( Diversity T. c. major was officially described subspecies with overlapping ranges, Web, n.d.). in 1857 by Swiss-American biologist/ Gulf Coast box turtles with three toes Jason M. Butler and his colleagues geologist Jean Louis Rodolphe Agas- on their hind feet may be hybrids conducted a study of the DNA and siz (1807-1873). of the Gulf Coast box turtle and the the physical structure of Gulf Coast Description three-toed box turtle subspecies, T. c. box turtles in the Florida panhandle, At 8 to 8.5 inches (20 to 22 cen- triunguis. concluding that “the results of the timeters) in carapace length, the Gulf The heads of both male and female present study indicate that box turtles Coast box turtle is the biggest of the Gulf Coast box turtles are generally traditionally assigned to T. c. major of the recognized subspecies of T. dark in color, although the adult based on phenotype [editor’s note: carolina. males may develop distinguishing observable characteristics] are the re- The elongated, domed carapace of white blotches or patches of skin on sult of introgression between eastern the Gulf Coast box turtle is typically their heads. extant (predominantly T. c. carolina) dark olive, dark brown, or black, Eye color, one way to distinguish and an extinct subspecies, T. c. put- and it has a central keel and flared males from females some subspecies nami,“ according to their published posterior marginal scutes. The most of eastern box turtle, is not partic- paper (Butler et al, 2011). variable subspecies in appearance, ularly reliable for determining the Known only from fossil evidence, its carapace may have markings that sex of Gulf Coast box turtles. While researchers theorize about the are yellow or orange spots or stria a female will typically have brown appearance of T. c. putnami. The (linear markings) of various lengths, irises, a male may have either brown fossils discovered to date indicate or there may be faint markings or or red irises in his eyes. that, at 10.5 inches (27 centime- none at all. Additionally, contrasting T. c. major displays moderate ters) in carapace length, the extinct markings on the carapace generally sexual dimorphism, i.e., physical subspecies’ size was larger than the fade with age, and mature individuals differences based on the sex of the contemporary Gulf Coast subspecies. may be uniformly dark in coloration. individual. Males are somewhat Carapace patterning is unknown, but Plastron coloration varies from sol- larger than females. Moreover, males researchers surmise that T. c. putna- id dark olive, brown, or black to light have concavity on their plastrons mi may have resembled T. c. major tan with dark blotches. Its hinged while those of females are flat. The in coloration. plastron affords the animal sub- tails of males are longer and thicker Range and Habitat stantial protection, as the turtle can than those of females, and males Although it is the most sizable swiftly retract its head, tail and limbs tend to have claws on their hind feet subspecies of T. carolina, the Gulf under its carapace, and effectively that are thicker and more curved Coast box turtle has the smallest “box” itself in to shield itself from than those on the females’ hind feet. range of any living subspecies. Found many types of predators. Intergrades, hybrids between throughout the Gulf Coastal Plain While T. c. major males may have subspecies, frequently occur in in the , the Gulf Coast colorful red, orange, or yellow scales states such as Mississippi, Alabama, box turtle is indigenous to a relatively on their limbs, the background skin and Florida where the ranges of narrow strip of land stretching from color of both sexes is dark brown or the subspecies overlap. The wide eastern Texas, eastward through black. The hind feet of the subspecies variation in appearance that results , Mississippi, Alabama, and generally have four toes, although from introgression (repeated hybrid- the Florida panhandle. ization episodes) makes it impossible Volume 54, Number 3 3

Typically found in estuaries, marsh- The Gulf Coast box turtle reaches threats to box turtles. Agricultural, es, and swamps, T. c. major prefers reproductive maturity between five recreational, residential, and infra- ecosystems that offer considerable and 10 years of age. Maturing first, structure developments alter humidity. While the species is not males generally reach mating age at within their range. Pollution and pes- “aquatic” in the traditional sense, five to six years old, while females ticides from industrial and agricultur- the Gulf Coast box turtle is never far usually begin breeding at seven to al sources also negatively impact box from a water source, including such eight years of age. turtle populations. aquatic microhabitats as brooks, The mechanism of temperature-de- Mortality caused by vehicular marshes, farm ponds, and vernal pendent sex determination (TSD) is traffic and subsidized predators such pools (Ernst and Lovich, 2009), often present in box turtles. Incubation as crows, foxes, , and feral traveling through shallow bodies of temperatures ranging from 72.5 take a toll on wild populations, water. to 80.6°F (22.5 to 27°C) produce as do invasive species of fire ants. Foods and Feeding predominantly males, while tempera- Collection for the pet trades, For the first five or six years of its tures above 84.2°F (29°C) produce both domestic and international, life, the Gulf Coast box turtle is pri- all-female clutches (Farrell, Dodd, Jr. has dropped significantly with the marily carnivorous, becoming more and May, 2006). implementation of legal protections herbivorous as it matures (Animal Females may lay up to five clutch- afforded by state regulations and international conservation measures (van Dijk, 2011). Conservation The Red List of the Internation- al Union for the Conservation of Nature lists the T. carolina complex as “Vulnerable” (meaning subject to extinction), and the complex is listed in CITES Appendix II, affording it some international protection from over-exploitation. r

References . (n.d.). Terrapene caroli- na. [online] Available at: http://animaldiversi- Gulf Coast box turtle, Terrapene carolina major. Photo © 2006 by LA Dawson. Source: ty.org/accounts/Terrapene_carolina/ Wikimedia Commons; license CC-BY-SA 2.5. Box Turtles. (n.d.). Gulf Coast Box Turtle – Terrapene carolina major. [online] Available Diversity Web, n.d.). es of eggs per year, but two or three at: http://www.boxturtles.com/gulf-coast- box-turtle/ A true , T. c. major is an clutches per year are more common, opportunist when feeding, con- and some females do not lay every Butler, J.M., C. K. Dodd, Jr., M. Aresco, J. D. year (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). Clutch Austin. (2011). Morphological and molecular suming all suitable prey and plant evidence indicates that the Gulf Coast box parts. prey includes size ranges from one to 11 eggs; fe- turtle (Terrapene carolina major) is not a ants, , centipedes, millipedes, males typically oviposit three to eight distinct evolutionary lineage in the Florida eggs per clutch. Nesting generally Panhandle. Biological Journal of the Linnean cockroaches, crickets, , Society. Abstract. grubs, slugs, snails, spiders, and occurs between April and July at night. Ernst, C. and Lovich, J. (2009). Turtles of the worms. Vertebrate prey includes United States and Canada. 2nd ed. Balti- birds, fish, frogs (tadpoles and adults), Emerging from the nest in Septem- more, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, pp.408-426. lizards, small mammals (young mice, ber and October, and sometimes as rabbits, and shrews) salamanders, late as December, hatchlings have Farrell, T., Dodd, Jr., C. and May, P. (2006). Ter- very low-domed shells compared rapene carolina-Eastern Box Turtle. Biology , turtle eggs, and carrion. and Conservation of Florida Turtles, Chelo- Plants consumed include wild with the high-domed shells of adults. nian Research Monographs(3), pp.235-248. The plastral hinge, while present at berries, flowers, fruits, fungi (mush- Identification Guide to Eastern Box Turtles. rooms and bracket fungi), grasses, hatching, becomes fully functional (n.d.). [ebook] NEPARC. Available at: http:// when the box turtle is approximately northeastparc.org/products/pdfs/NEPARC_ mosses, roots, seeds, and stems of BoxTurtle_IDGuide.pdf various plants (apples, blackberries, 2 inches (5 centimeters) in carapace length (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). van Dijk, P.P. Terrapene carolina. (2011) (errata blueberries, cherries, elderberries, version published in 2016). The IUCN Red mulberries, etc.), and vines (Box tur- Threats List of 2011: e. tles, n.d.; Ernst and Lovich, 2009). Habitat degradation, fragmenta- T21641A97428179. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/ IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T21641A9303747.en. Reproduction tion, and destruction are significant Accessed on 03 April 2018. 4 May/June 2018 Feds Propose Increasing Destructive Off-road Vehicle Access in Mojave Desert — Plan Disregards Court Or- der to Protect Moreno Valley, California—16 March 2018—The U.S. Bureau of Land Management today proposed increasing off-road vehicle access in the western Mojave Desert, despite a court that required the agency to reanalyze ORV routes to ensure this fragile ecosystem is protected. “This plan is a death sentence for threatened desert tortoises and their fragile habitat,” said Ileene Anderson, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Uncontrolled ORV use kills and tears up the delicate desert ecosystem with tire tracks that last for decades. The BLM should be reducing ORV routes, not increasing them.” Previous court rulings have found that the BLM failed to adequately justify the existing off-road vehicle route system and sent the agency back to the drawing board twice. To- day’s BLM proposal tries to legitimize illegal user-created routes and adopt them into the system. “There are at least 11,000 miles of illegally created roads in addition to the 5,000 miles of authorized ones. This clearly shows the BLM can’t manage what it has,” Anderson said. “The Trump administration is starving the agency of the resources it needs to do its job. Officials need to go back to the drawing board and create a system that protects the desert’s plants and animals while allowing reasonable access.” The BLM’s West Mojave Plan cov- ers 3.1 million acres of public lands in the western portion of the Mojave Desert in southern California, in- cluding parts of San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Kern and Inyo counties. r Wild Mojave desert tortoise, agassizii, in habitat. Photo by London Rachel, USFWS. —Center for Biological Diversity press release Public domain. Volume 54, Number 3 5 Texas Proposes Ending Unsustainable Commercial Wild Turtle Trapping — List of States Curbing Commercial Turtle Harvest Grows

Austin, Texas—21 March 2018—In in Texas. Turtles’ slow reproduction Conservation banned commercial response to a petition filed by the makes it unlikely that populations can collection of the state’s wild freshwa- Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) remain stable when high numbers of ter turtles. In September of last year, and several Texas-based conserva- adults and older juveniles are steadily Nevada created a statewide ban on tion organizations, the Texas Parks removed from a population. the destructive commercial collec- and Wildlife Commission today “This is great news for Texas’ fresh- tion of all and New York approved publication of a proposed water turtles as commercial trapping halted all commercial turtle rule that would prohibit commercial is devastating to turtle populations harvesting. collection of the state’s wild turtles. that are already suffering from mul- Before that, in March 2017, “We’re so grateful these badly tiple other threats, including habitat adopted new regulations setting needed protections for Texas’ rare, loss, water pollution and vehicular closed seasons and possession limits native turtles are moving forward,” collisions,” said Evelyn Merz, con- for commercial turtle trappers. In said Jenny Loda, a Center attorney servation chair for the Sierra Club's 2012 Georgia approved state rules and biologist who works to protect Lone Star Chapter. “We hope that the regulating the commercial collection vulnerable reptiles and amphibians. of turtles, and “For-profit collectors shouldn’t be Alabama com- allowed to put the state’s turtles at pletely banned risk of extinction.” commercial Texas is the latest in a growing list collection. And of states — including Missouri, New in 2009 Florida York and Iowa — that have put an responded by end to unlimited commercial collec- banning almost tion of freshwater turtles. all commercial Under current Texas law, unlimited collection of collection of four native, freshwater freshwater tur- turtle species is allowed on private tles from public property: common snapping turtles, and private red-eared sliders, smooth softshells waters. and spiny softshells. Texas is in a Texas modified its regulations in regional hotspot 2007 to protect freshwater turtles for commercial from collection on the state’s public turtle collectors, lands and waters. But this only Basking red-eared slider ( scripta elegans), one of the species pro- and reform is posed for protection from commercial collection in Texas. Photo © 2017 by resulted in protections for turtles in Björn S. Source : Creative Commons; license: CC-BY-SA-2.0. needed. If the 2.2 percent of the water bodies in state ends com- Texas. Recent studies concluded that state will finalize the proposed rule mercial collection within its borders, current turtle collection in Texas is and ban commercial turtle trapping; adjacent states would likely follow likely not sustainable. otherwise, Texas’ turtle populations its example; the region would be At today’s Texas Parks and Wildlife will continue to plummet.” better equipped to protect its turtle Commission meeting, staff from the The petition that spurred today’s populations by making clear to turtle state Parks and Wildlife Department action was submitted last year by the traders that trade is strictly regulated presented their findings based on CBD, Sierra Club's Lone Star Chapter, and enforced. a review of the petition, along with Texas Rivers Protection Association The Center recently petitioned scientific literature and the depart- and Texas Initiative. for a ban on unlimited commercial ment’s own data. Department staff Background trapping in Arkansas, Louisiana and determined that there is sufficient As part of a campaign to protect Oklahoma, three states that share a scientific justification to prohibit the turtles in the United States, the Cen- border with Texas. r commercial collection of the com- ter for Biological Diversity has been —Center for Biological press release mon snapping turtle, red-eared slider, petitioning states that allow unre- smooth softshell and spiny softshell. stricted commercial turtle collection Department officials further to improve their regulations. Earlier explained that turtles are among the this month, in response to a Center nongame species of greatest concern petition, the Missouri Department of 6 May/June 2018

The Turtle Extinction Crisis — Nearly half of all freshwater turtles and tortoises are at risk of disappearing forever, a new report warns by John R. Platt, Editor, The Revelator 12 March 2018—It’s not easy to be edition of this report in 2011, which loading the full report here. a turtle in the 21st century. A new contained a very similar list of turtles. 1. giant softshell turtle report warns that freshwater turtles Conservation efforts have benefited a ( swinhoei) and tortoises are among the world’s few of these species during that time 2. Ploughshare tortoise (Astroche- most threatened groups of species, period, but not enough to improve lys yniphora) with more than 40 percent at risk their overall outlook. In fact the 3. box turtle (Cuora yun- nanensis) of extinction due to habitat loss, the only species from the 2011 list that 4. ( illegal pet trade, and consumption for doesn’t appear in the 2018 edition is baska) food and traditional medicine. the Pinta giant tortoise ( 5. roofed turtle (Batagur Among the most threatened abingdonii) of the Galápagos, which trivittata) species are the Yangtze giant Asian went extinct in 2012 with the death 6. Zhou’s box turtle (Cuora zhoui) softshell (Rafetus swinhoei), which of world-famous tortoise Lonesome 7. McCord’s box turtle (Cuora is down to its last three individuals George. mccordi) in and 8. Geometric turtle ( ; the geometricus) ploughshare 9. Golden-headed box turtle (Cuo- tortoise (Astro- ra aurocapitata) 10. Dahl’s toad-headed turtle (Me- chelys yniphora) soclemmys dahli) of Madagascar, 11. Nubian flapshell turtle Cycla( - which fetches norbis elegans) enormous prices 12. Three-striped box turtle (Cuora in the illegal pet trifasciata) trade and could 13. (Geoche- disappear from lone platynota) the wild as soon 14. Roti Island snake-headed turtle as this year; and ( mccordi) the three-striped 15. Southeast Asian narrow-head- box turtle (Cuo- ed softshell turtle ( chitra) 16. Bellinger River snapping turtle ra trifasciata), ( georgesi) ownership of 17. (Maure- which “has be- The , Batagur (=Callagur) borneoensis, one mys annamensis) come a financial of the species profiled in the 2018 Turtles in Trouble report. Photo © 2009 by 18. Central American river turtle Ltshears. Source: Wikimedia Commons; license: CC BY-SA 3.0. investment and (Dermatemys mawii) status symbol in 19. Madagascar big-headed turtle China,” according to the report. So why should we care? Well, (Erymnochelys madagascariensis) Also considered highly at risk: the other than the fact that this list 20. (Batagur Nubian flapshell turtle ( contains some stunningly beautiful affinis) elegans), not seen in the wild in at and interesting species, tortoises and 21. Red-crowned roof turtle least 15 years and feared extinct by freshwater turtles also serve vitally (Batagur kachuga) 22. forest turtle (Leuco- some conservationists. important ecological roles in their cephalon yuwonoi) All told about half of all tortoise native habitats. As the report points 23. (Pseude- and freshwater turtle species and out, various species help to shape mydura umbrina) subspecies are threatened or at risk rivers and waterways, assist plant 24. Hodge’s side-necked turtle of extinction. populations by dispersing seeds and ( hogei) The authors of the report, which fungi, and even keep water clean by 25. Palawan forest turtle (Sieben- was issued last week by a partnership scavenging dead animals. They’re rockiella leytensis) of 10 turtle conservation organiza- also significant in human culture and 26. (Podoc- tions, call it “an effort to publicize the art — which is one of the reasons nemis lewyana) plight of tortoises and freshwater tur- they’re at risk. 27. Painted terrapin (Batagur bor- neoensis) r tles by highlighting those species that Here’s the list of the 27 most are at the highest risk of extinction.” threatened tortoise and freshwater This story was originally published by The Sadly that’s obviously needed, as not tortoise species. You can learn a lot Revelator. It is part of a series entitled “Ex- tinction Countdown.” It is reprinted here with much has changed since the previous more about each of them by down- permission from the author. Volume 54, Number 3 7

Restrictions Sought on Unsustainable Export of America’s Imperiled Turtles — More than 17 Million Turtles Exported from 2011 to 2016 Washington, DC— 27 March 2018—The Center for Biological Diversity today submitted extensive com- ments asking the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to seek increased restrictions on the unsustainable export and trade of 15 imperiled turtle species under the Conven- tion on International Trade in of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Turtle traders exported more than 17 million fresh- water turtles from the United States between 2011 and 2016. Most are used to supply food and medicinal markets in Asia, where turtle consumption rates have soared and native populations of turtles have already been decimated. “The indiscriminate commercial capture and export of millions of our turtles to Asian markets is placing these important animals at serious risk,” said Chris Na- gano, senior scientist at the Center. “Alligator snappers and map turtles desperately need strict protections from international trade, so U.S. wildlife officials should seek global safeguards immediately.” The two alligator snapping turtle and 13 map turtle species are native to the southern, midwestern and northeastern United States and are severely imperiled by trapping and export. Overharvest has caused popu- lation declines in almost all the species. In response to a 2012 petition from the Center, the two species of alligator snapping turtles and four spe- preparation for the next CITES meeting of the parties in Sri cies of map turtles are under consideration for protection Lanka in May 2019. under the Endangered Species Act in large part because of massive exploitation. Background “The Trump administration should not stand back and The United States is a turtle biodiversity hotspot, home watch as these animals are pushed toward extinction,” said to more types of turtles than any other country in the Nagano. “Our turtles are already suffering from habitat world. As part of the Center’s campaign to protect this rich loss, water pollution and other threats. They just can’t with- natural heritage, the group petitioned states with unrestrict- stand commercial exploitation.” ed commercial turtle harvest to improve harvest regula- Alligator snapping turtles and map turtles are currently tions. listed under CITES Appendix III, which requires certain Many states, including Alabama, Florida and Georgia, permits or certificates for the international trade of listed responded by banning or regulating commercial harvest species. The Center’s proposal asks that the western alliga- of freshwater turtles. More recently, Missouri banned tor snapping turtle, Suwannee alligator snapping turtle and commercial collection of wild freshwater turtles and Iowa 13 species of map turtles be listed on CITES Appendix II, adopted stricter regulations. In March, Texas proposed which would only allow international trade with a permit banning all commercial turtle harvest. if it can be shown that the trade would not be detrimental The Center has also petitioned to list several species of to their survival. CITES-listed species are also subject to imperiled freshwater turtles under the Endangered Species mandatory reporting requirements. Act. Mounting scientific evidence shows that amphibians In separate comments, the Center also requested that the and reptiles (together called “herpetofauna”) are among the Fish and Wildlife Service seek increased protections for most imperiled species on Earth. the polar bear, walrus, narwhal, hippopotamus and several Ubiquitous toxins, global warming, nonnative predators, species of sea horses and sea cucumbers. overcollection, and disease are key The Service sought comments from the public on factors leading to demise of amphibians and reptiles in the species that need additional protection under CITES. The United States and worldwide. r agency may propose species for additional protections in — Center for Biological Diversity press release 8 May/June 2018

Herpetology 2018 ­— Abstracts prepared by the staff of the Chicago Herpetological Society

Bog Turtle Hatching Success hatching success (81%) but no signif- tal factors persisted to reduce egg icant difference in hatching success survival in the field. Natural hatching R. T. Zappalorti et al. [2017, Che- was found between nests protected success was potentially reduced by lonian Conservation and Biology with predator excluder cages (43%) poor weather conditions, which may 16(2):194-202] note that in most tur- and unprotected nests. However, have resulted in embryo develop- tles nest-site selection affects the sur- significantly lower predation rates ment problems, dehydration, or vival of females and their offspring. were found, suggesting that while embryos drowning in the egg. These Although bog turtles ( lower predation rates were found in results suggest that egg depredation, muhlenbergii) do not typically leave protected nests, other environmen- coupled with embryo development their wetlands for nest- problems and infertil- ing, nest-site selection ity, are limiting factors can impact hatching to hatching success in success and hatchling the study populations. survival. Between 1974 Using predator-exclud- and 2012, the authors er cages to protect bog monitored the fates of turtle eggs in the field, 258 eggs in- or incubating eggs in cubated in the field and the laboratory and 91 eggs incubated in releasing hatchlings at laboratory conditions original nesting areas from 11 different bogs, may be an effective fens, or wetland com- conservation tool for plexes in New Jersey recovering populations and Pennsylvania. Lab- of this federally threat- oratory-incubated eggs ened species. r exhibited the greatest Wild bog turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii. Photo by Gary Peeples, USFWS. Public domain.

Ringed Sawback Demograph- for males and 13.9 years for females. of G. oculifera has declined, three ics The sex ratio of captured turtles was appear to be in the initial stages of R. L. Jones [2017, Chelonian Con- male-biased before 2000 but unbi- decline, and one is relatively stable. servation and Biology 16(2)215-228] ased after 2000. Realized population Additional monitoring of these pop- notes that effective management of growth estimates indicated that four ulations will be necessary to deter- long-lived species required demo- populations were stable over the 25- mine if these trends continue into the graphic and life history data that are year period and one population had future. r best acquired from long-term studies. declined. Popu- The ringed sawback ( lation estimates oculifera), endemic to the Pearl River and basking watershed of Mississippi and Loui- counts trend- siana, is a species of management ed downward concern at both the state and federal through time at levels. Population sizes, trapping most sites. Trap- success, basking counts, sex ratios, ping success survivorship, and growth of this after 2000 for species were investigated at 5 sites all sites com- on the Pearl River in Mississippi over bined declined a 25-year period. Estimates of age by 77%, 45%, at maturity were 4.5 years for males and 25% for and 9.1 years for females. Mean an- juveniles, males, nual survivorship for males, females and females, and juveniles were 0.88, 0.93, and respectively. 0.69 respectively. Maximum logevity Taken togeth- Juvenile ringed sawback, also called the (Graptemys oculif- era). Photo by Eekhoorntje. Public domain. estimates were 48.8 years for males er, these data and 76.4 years for females. Average indicate that Originally published in the Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society, longevity estimates were 8.5 years one population 53(1): 28-30, 2017. Reprinted with permission from the Bulletin Editor. Volume 54, Number 3 9 10 May/June 2018

Request for Information and Mike’s Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, Ph.D. Photos for an Article about A varied selection of recent articles, stories and sites on the Web that some of you Max and Lillian Greene may find as interesting as I did. This list is also posted at tortoise.org/turtlenetpicks Max and Lillian Greene raised Bangladeshi Elongated Tortoises Sea Turtles Use Their Flippers a variety of tortoises at their home in Trouble | Habitat destruction, to Manipulate Food | Monterey near Ojai, in Meiners Oaks, CA. herbicides, and witch doctors are all Bay Aquarium study finds that like They called their place “Turtletown,” taking their toll. terrestrial species, sea turtles use their sometimes spelled “Turtle Town.” flippers to manipulate food items in Many of us CTTC members visited Almeria Spur-thighed Tortoise their environment. Populations Seem Stable | Turtletown and were treated to talks Biologists in Spain’s Almeria province Local Magnetic Fields Are Predic- by Lillian and a tour of their collec- counted 25 tortoises in the latest tors of Loggerhead Turtle Pop- tion. I am hoping that some members survey. ulation Genetics | Loggerheads might have taken photographs while April 10 Was seek nesting beaches that have local visiting Turtletown, and if so, would magnetic fields similar to their natal Day | Florida gopher tortoise beach, so populations from beaches you be willing to share copies of “Grumpy Gertrude” tells all in this with magnetic similarities tend to be them? Any photographs will receive short piece from National Geographic. genetically similar too. full photo credit in the article. Utah Politicians Determined The Tale of the Turtle and the I would also like to receive any to Build Highway Through Red Plastic Jellyfish | Sarah Nelms story recollections or anecdotes you might Cliffs | Red Cliffs Desert Reserve was for young people about the travails of have of your visit for a future article set aside as mitigation for urban sprawl a hawksbill who eats a plastic bag is in the Gazette. on desert tortoise critical habitat in St. now available for free download. George, Utah, yet local politicians are The Greenes started their involve- determined to build a 4 lane highway Video ment with tortoises when Max re- right through the tortoise habitat! • Drones Used For Sea Turtle tired. Lillian kept Turtletown going by New Alabama Musk Turtle | Tur- Monitoring herself after his death in 1993 until tle biodiversity in the southeast USA • Releasing Endangered Bell’s she died in 1999. just increased! Turtle Hatchlings Please send your responses di- “Royal Turtle” Nest Found in rectly to Ralph Hoekstra via email at • Snapping Turtles Threat- | Recent find of a Batagur [email protected] affinis nest containing 25 eggs marks ened By Harvesting the third nest found in Cambodia since New Publication 2016. Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle at High Risk Research Newsletter CTTC Foothill Chapter Event | One of many media stories on Australia’s imperiled “butt breathing, CTTC On Facebook | For breaking June 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm: Annual punk turtle”. news updates, visit and “like” us on Health Clinic and Silent Auction Facebook! Health clinic includes de-worming and micro-chipping for turtles and tortoises • De-worming fee: $1000 • Micro-chipping fee: $2500 Free veterinarian check-ups provided by Dr. Fees. Silent auction: come join the festivities with fellow Club members, friends and neighbors to continue our mission and support of our “shelled friends!” Silent auction donations come from restau- rants, businesses, stores, gift cards, and include specially selected items.

Foothill Chapter Meeting Location: Los Angeles County Arboretum (Palm Room), 301 North Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA. 91007 Contact: Robin Robb, Foothill Chapter president (951) 359-3003; sgrpilot@ hotmail.com Gopher tortoise a burrow near Gary Photo Ft. by FL. entering Pierce, domain. Public Foster. Volume 54, Number 3 11 Missouri Bans Destructive Com- mercial Trapping of Wild Turtles — Center for Biological Diversity press release

Jefferson City, Missouri—1 March 2018—In re- sponse to a petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, the Missouri Department of Conservation today banned commercial collection of the state’s wild freshwater turtles — following a national trend of ending unsustainable turtle trapping. “This ban saves thousands of turtles from trappers seeking to make a quick buck,” said Collette Adkins, a biologist and senior attorney at the CBD. “That’s a big victory for all of us who care about the health of the state’s wildlife and waterways.” Prior to the amendment that went into effect today, holders of a commercial fishing permit could take unlimited numbers of common snappers, spiny softshells and smooth softshells from portions of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers with no closed sea- son. According to the state conservation department, 1,100 river miles were open to commercial turtle collection. Thousands of Missouri’s turtles were caught and sold over the past 10 years. Scientists have repeatedly documented that freshwater turtles cannot sustain any significant level of wild collection without leading to population declines. For example, in a 2014 Missouri study re- searchers found that no commercial collection could be sustained for softshells, and common snappers could Background withstand only minimum rates of juvenile collection and Millions of turtles classified as wild-caught are export- no adult collection. ed from the United States every year to supply food and “Much gratitude to Missouri’s Department of Conser- medicinal markets in Asia, where native turtle populations vation for preserving Missouri’s wildlife for future gener- have already been depleted by soaring consumption. ations,” said Bruce Morrison, general counsel for Great Adult turtles are also taken from the wild to breed hatch- Rivers Environmental Law Center. “It followed through lings for the international pet trade. with protecting these animals as a vital part of our state’s As part of a campaign to protect turtles in the United ecosystems.” States, the CBD has been petitioning states that allow unrestricted commercial turtle collection to improve reg- ulations. Of the states that share a border with Missouri, only Arkansas still allows unlimited commercial collection of turtles. As a result of the Center’s campaign, last fall Nevada created a statewide ban on commercial collection of all reptiles and New York halted all commercial terrapin turtle trapping. Before that, in March 2017, Iowa adopted new regulations setting closed seasons and possession limits for commercial turtle trappers. In 2012 Georgia approved state rules regulating the commercial collection of turtles, and Alabama completely banned commercial collection. And in 2009 Florida responded by banning almost all commercial collection of freshwater turtles from r Close-up of the face of a , serpentina, public and private waters. one of the species native to Missouri that is now protected by a ban on commercial collection. Photo by the USFWS. Public domain. 12 May/June 2018 the Common Hollyhock, Alcea rosea Turtle’s Garden planting for chelonians by M A Cohen ollyhock, a member of the gardener has access to Mallow family, the Malva- a medley of hollyhock Hceae, is related to several heights, flower colors, plant species previously profiled in and flower forms. “Turtle’s Garden” columns, includ- Most hollyhocks have ing tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus), blue biennial life cycles. The hibiscus (Alyogyne), Chinese lantern term “biennial,” by defi- (Abutilon), apricot mallow (Sphaer- nition, is a plant growing alcea), and island mallow (Malva, vegetatively, i.e., produc- formerly Lavatera). es its stems and leaves, Some 60 species comprise the during its first season of Alcea, with all being native to growth. During its sec- Asia and Europe. Only one hollyhock ond season, the biennial species is a native of the Western plant flowers, sets seed, Hemisphere; its common name is the and dies. Through selec- Hollyhock blossoms with a visiting bee. Photo © 2006 by Stephen streambank wild hollyhock, and it tive breeding, horticul- Czuratis. Source: Creative Commons; license: CC-BY-SA-2.5. belongs to a different genus, Iliamna, turists have developed a landscaping, and are especially with a species name rivularis. few hollyhock varieties with perenni- well-suited for placement against This column will focus on the com- al life cycles, meaning that they live walls and fences as a backdrop for mon hollyhock, Alcea rosea. Import- for three years or more. planting beds. Vertical in its growth ed into Europe from China before or Plant heights range from 2 to 9 feet habit, the hollyhock reaches a maxi- during the 15th century, the hollyhock (0.6 to 3 meters). Shorter varieties, mum width of 3 feet (1 meter) in the subsequently became a fixture in in the 2- to 4-foot (0.6- to 1.2-me- taller varieties. cottage gardens in temperate regions ter) range, are excellent choices for Hollyhock leaves are large, worldwide. container gardening, while the taller rounded, and rough-textured. Showy An old-fashioned, venerable, types are appropriate for general flowers that are 3 to 6 inches (8 ornamental species, A. to 15 centimeters) in rosea is a prolific flower diameter grow along the producer with a distinc- stem; colors range from tively informal aspect. pure white and pastels Although the generic to bright red, purple, name of hollyhock is and maroon. Single, occasionally spelled semi-double, and double “Althea,” it is typically flower forms are avail- written as “Alcea.” able. Description Culture The commercial horti- A. rosea requires full culture industry, through sun in all but the hottest its extensive selection regions. Soil that is rich and propagation efforts, in amendments and has has produced an impres- good drainage is import- sive array of hollyhock ant for optimum growth. varieties. The oldest Gardeners recommend garden hollyhocks are deep, infrequent wa- very tall, single-flowering tering. Horticulturists biennials or short-lived A garden planting of hollyhocks. Photo © 2014 by Jolliro. Source: Creative Com- recommend minimal perennials. Today’s mons; license: CC-BY-SA-4.0. Volume 54, Number 3 13 fertilizing twice per season in all but Click on your Chapter’s website link for the the most porous soils; hollyhocks in Meetings and latest program information. Programs may sandy soils require more frequent Programs be scheduled after newsletter publication. feeding. The fungal disease known as rust Cen-Val: 10 May; 14 June Santa Clarita: 19 May–Ed LaRue plagues hollyhocks. Water early in of Circle Mountain Biological Chino Valley: 18 May; 15 June the morning so the plants dry off Consultants on Desert Tortoises before nightfall to help prevent the Foothill: 25 May; 22 June: Annual TOOSLO (San Luis Obispo): development of fungal diseases Health Clinic and Silent Auction such as mildew and rust. Remove all 9 May; 13 June High Desert: 14 May; 11 June diseased plant parts promptly, and TTCS (Long Beach): 18 May– dispose of infected material with the Inland Empire: 4 May; 1 June Laura and Jay from Prehistoric Never Pets; 15 June–Plant Auction with rubbish. put diseased material Kern County: 14 May; 11 June Dr. Tom Greek in the compost bin. Low Desert: 4 June Planting hollyhocks from seeds in Valley: 18 May; 15 June early spring is common, easy, and Orange County: 11 May; 8 June Executive Board: 14 July. economical, and seedlings are anoth- Ridgecrest: 14 May; 11 June Meetings take place at the Los er option. A. rosea will reseed freely, Angeles County Arboretum, Santa Barbara-Ventura: Contact Arcadia, CA. so selecting a planting site careful- the chapter for meeting details. ly is important. Hollyhocks grow best with about 2 feet (0.6 meter) of space between plants. To avoid over-crowding in small spaces, prune 2018 CTTC Show Schedule plants as soon as flowers fade before 5 May: Turtle & Tortoise Care Society MiniShow at El Dorado Nature they set seed. Center, 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90815; 10 am–3 pm. Less reliable than planting seeds, bareroot plantings of hollyhock roots 19 May: Valley Chapter Annual Show at Woodland Hills Christian can be a challenge. The advantage of Church, 5920 Shoup Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91367; 11 am–4 pm. this planting method is that bareroot 21 July: Inland Empire Annual Show at Redlands Senior Citizen Center, hollyhocks are less likely than seed- 111 W. Lugonia Ave., Redlands, CA; 10 am–3 pm. lings to develop rust disease. Because of their large, nectar-filled flowers, hollyhocks attract a variety of wildlife to the garden, especially Classified Advertisements butterflies and hummingbirds. Classified advertisements run for one issue at $500 for up to four lines, or $3000 for ¼ page. Ads are accepted at the discretion of the Editor. Ads are available to mem- Edible and Medicinal Uses bers and subscribers only, and are run as a service to our members. California Bearing edible leaves and flowers, Turtle & Tortoise Club is not responsible for merchandise placed for sale in the Tor- tuga Gazette. A. rosea also has medicinal proper- Please make your check payable to the California Turtle & Tortoise Club. ties. Flowers are typically eaten raw Please send ad fee to: CTTC Tortuga Gazette, attn Treasurer, P. O. Box 7300, Van in salads, and leaves are eaten raw or Nuys, CA 91409-7300. cooked as greens. Mail fee with ad copy to the Tortuga Gazette mailing address; OR mail fee to the Medicinally, hollyhock has anti-in- postal address above, and email the ad copy to the Gazette Editor. flammatory healing properties, as well as various uses in home reme- dies, herbal infusions, and teas. r California Turtle & Tortoise Club: a Society The Tortuga Gazette (ISSN 1073-1334) is Dedicated to Turtle & Tortoise Preservation, owned by the California Turtle & Tortoise References Conservation and Education since 1964. Pro- Club Executive Board, which is incorporated Brenzel, K. (2012). The New Sunset Western moting and Facilitating the Care, Rescue and in the State of California as a Not-for-Profit Garden Book. 9th ed. New York, NY: Time Adoption of Native and Nonnative Turtles Corporation and is tax-exempt under IRS Home Entertainment Inc., pp.487-489. and Tortoises. code 501(c)(3). All material is copyright © CTTC unless NMSU Cooperative Extension Service Master otherwise attributed. CTTC policy permits Gardener Newsletter. (2010). Hollyhocks. reproduction of articles by other not-for-profit [online] Available at: https://web.archive.org/ Is your email address changing? groups and educational institutions when per- web/20111007015925/http://aces.nmsu.edu/ Update your email address through mission is requested. Permission is granted on county/donaana/mastergardener/documents/ your MailChimp account by clicking a case-by-case basis and CTTC must be cited feb10-mg-newsltr.pdf the “Update Your Preferences” link on as the source of the material. The Nerdy Farm Wife. (n.d.). Five Uses for Hol- your newsletter notice. Or send your Views expressed in the Tortuga Gazette are lyhocks. [online] Available at: https://thener- changes and corrections to those of the contributors and not necessarily dyfarmwife.com/five-uses-for-hollyhocks/ [email protected] those of the Editor or the California Turtle & Tortoise Club. 14 May/June 2018

Galápagos Islands Update Galápagos: Pinzón Giant Tortoises Returning 7 April 2015 — Two years after con- focus a global spotlight on threatened now living on the island, a tripling of servationists successfully carried out wildlife populations. This was the the population from six decades ago. an aerial rodenticide bait drop on the first step in a planned 20 to 25-year While his team only found ten hatch- Galápagos Archipelago, the island is process designed to rid the Galápa- lings, Gibbs noted that the discovery showing signs of recovery in the form gos Islands of non-native rats and might be just the tip of the iceberg of of ten newly hatched Pinzón tortois- mice for good. what is to come. es. These baby giant tortoises are the Called the largest rat eradication “This new bunch of “little guys” is first known to have survived in the in South America, the project is one of the important results of the rat wild in over 150 years. supported by the Galápagos National eradication campaign,” notes Gibbs. The recent finding is a hopeful step Park, California-based Island Conser- “Tangible proof that with dedication, forward in the ongoing effort to help vation, the Charles Darwin Founda- hard work, support, and heart, con- the critically endangered species that tion, Bell Laboratories, The Raptor servation efforts can effect positive once teetered on the edge of extinc- Center of the University of Minnesota change.” tion because of a rat infestation on and private partners. While Gibbs and others were the island. The Return of the Pinzón primarily looking for tortoises, they Rat Eradication on Pinzón Tortoise also looked hard for signs of invasive Rodents are one of the most seri- Rats have prevented Pinzón Giant species. “We looked very hard for ous threats to the endemic species Tortoises from successfully reproduc- signs of rodents,” says Gibbs. “But of the Galápagos Islands. Rats prey ing in the wild for nearly 150 years. we didn’t find droppings or any other on the eggs and hatchlings of birds In order to stave off extinction, con- sign of rodent activity.” and reptiles, and threaten fauna and servationists intervened in the 1960s These results point to a common native flora. by collecting the few unhatched eggs sentiment amongst conservationists. that remained The growing tortoise population is on the island. showing an island in recovery, a The eggs were reward and validation for the hard incubated, work of the Galápagos National Park hatched and Service and its collaborators - includ- raised until they ing Bell. r reached a “ro- — Bell Laboratories press release dent-proof” size. Bell Laboratories, based in New Jersey, USA, Once the tor- is a leading manufacturer of rodent control toises reached products. Bell Laboratories has worked with an age that they conservation organizations worldwide to target and eradicate destructive, nonnative rodent could fend for populations that put indigenous wildlife at risk. themselves, conservationists released the young tortoises back on the Galápagos tortoise, Chelonoidis nigra. Photo © 2012 by Charlesjsharp. Pinzón islands. Source: Wikimedia Commons; license CC-BY-SA-3.0. After decades Upcoming CTTC newsletters of conservation will feature updates on the Over the past 40 years, small- efforts, the discovery of ten hatched restoration of Floreana, the scale control efforts targeted rodent tortoises in December brings a prom- next Galápagos Island on populations in specific regions on ise of a successful elimination effort which Galápagos National the islands. In 2012, Bell Laboratories of invasive rodents. In a post on the Park Directorate, Galápagos manufactured and donated pelleted Galápagos Conservancy blog, James Conservancy, and Island bait for aerial baiting, designed to Gibbs, an environmental scientist at Conservation are working to attract only rats. Bell’s specialized State University of New York, details protect indigenous wildlife. island conservation rodenticide was an encounter with the tortoises on a designed to attract rats and to rid the recent trip to Pinzón. island of these invaders, thus saving In his account, Gibbs estimates endangered species and helping to roughly 500 saddleback tortoises are Volume 54, Number 3 15 Continued recovery of Pinzón Island: The result of the eradication of black rats in 2012 — Galápagos Conservancy press releases 5 January 2018 — The resto- lease on Pinzón once they ration of Pinzón Island con- reached a rat-proof size. tinues following the success- This program, initiated ful rat eradication campaign by the Charles Darwin in December 2012, carried Research Station and now out by the Galápagos Nation- run by the Galápagos al Park Directorate (GNPD), National Park Directorate, in collaboration with Island has returned 1,007 young Conservation and The tortoises to the island — Raptor Center. In addition to with many of them now the exciting news of natu- of sufficient age to be ral recruitment of juvenile reproducing adults. tortoises into the population, “This is one of the most a potentially new endemic important efforts that has snail species has recently taken place in Galápagos. been discovered. After decades of ,work, to- During a tortoise moni- day we see the results. We toring trip in 2015, several Map of the larger islands in the Galápagos archipelago with details on the have an island undergoing living, extinct, and unverified populations of Galápagos tortoise. Map © hatchling tortoises were 2011 by Fallschirmjäger. Source: Wikimedia Commons; license: CC-BY- a rapid recovery process,” discovered, the first in well SA-4.0,3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0. stated Walter Bustos, over 100 years. This was the director of the Galápagos Before the eradication campaign, first evidence of ecological recovery National Park. all eggs and/or hatchlings of the following the eradication. Galápagos Conservancy celebrates Pinzón tortoise, Chelonoidis dun- More recently, Dr. Christine Parent these results with the GNPD, GC’s canensis, were preyed on by black of the University of Idaho and her main collaborator in the Giant Tor- rats introduced to the island in the technical team discovered a poten- toise Restoration Initiative. We con- late 1800s. The result was no natural tially new endemic species of land tinue to work with them to rebuild recruitment of juvenile tortoises into snail, which they are in the process the Pinzón tortoise population, which the population for more than 100 of describing. includes continuing the captive years. The status of the Pinzón tor- The various field teams from the rearing program to help increase the toise population resulted in the start GNPD and collaborating institutions population more rapidly than will oc- of the Santa Cruz Tortoise Center in have also documented increases cur naturally. GC has also supported 1965, when the first eggs of Pinzón in the populations of lava lizards, various aspects of the recovery and tortoises were transported there to Galápagos snakes, landbirds such as monitoring through short-term grants complete their incubation. They were the endemic Galápagos dove, and to both Island Conservation and The then reared in captivity for later re- others. Raptor Center. r 163 Tortoises Repatriated to Cinco Cerros, Isabela Island, Galápagos 26 January 2018 — Park rangers Prior to being repatriated, the Conservancy. from the Galápagos National Park tortoises were given health exams, The hard work of the rangers Directorate (GNPD) returned 163 had their shells marked with special during the repatriation will contribute tortoises of the species Chelonoid- ink, and were given a microchip to the protection of this species, as is guntheri to their home in Cinco with data recorded in the breeding tortoise hatchlings in this area are Cerros, in the southwest portion of program of the Arnaldo Tupiza Cha- negatively impacted by introduced Isabela Island — about 30 miles from maidan Breeding Center on Isabela species. Puerto Villamil. On the beach at the Island. The 163 tortoises are part of “These activities always encour- site, each park ranger placed nine a population of 1,000 individuals age our work and are the reason for tortoises on his shoulders to start the reproduced at the Breeding Center every park ranger’s effort to take care 14-kilometer hike over lava fields, to date, which are repatriated to of this heritage. Each year, we return and then ascended through a forest their place of origin once they reach hundreds of tortoises of the different of manzanillo, hawthorns, and ’s eight years of age as part of the Giant species that are bred in captivity claw (a native plant), which separated Tortoise Restoration Initiative (GTRI) to their natural home,” said Walter them from the repatriation site more — a long-term collaborative effort Bustos, GNPD Director. r than 300 feet above sea level. between the GNPD and Galápagos 16 May/June 2018 Shoring up Seemore the sea turtle’s shell — Engineering students develop 3D-printed exoshell to help injured sea turtle 27 February 2018 — In February of mostly undergraduate Universi- the team printed a 3-D prototype 2011, Seemore the ty of Minnesota students has been exoshell. came to the SEA LIFE Minnesota designing one for her. “I’d had some experience with 3D Aquarium from a turtle hospital in Printing a prosthesis printing in high school and college,” Florida. A 2009 collision with a boat “The whole process has been says team member Tom Skahen, had damaged her shell and trapped really exciting,” says design team an aerospace engineering major. air beneath it, giving her “bubble lead Alex Barrette, a mechanical en- “I could use the software, run the butt syndrome.” gineering student. “It’s something a printers, and explore the options we This condition forces Seemore to mechanical engineer doesn’t typical- could use. I was really self-driven.” swim with her rear end sticking up ly see, and it’s been challenging.” In January 2018 Fay and Barrette and keeps her from diving normally. After a June 2017 CT scan at the performed a fitting of the prototype Her care team at SEA LIFE attaches U’s Veterinary Hospital, the students, on Seemore at SEA LIFE. The team weights to the shell to correct her led by mechanical engineering grad- hopes to have a permanent exoshell buoyancy, but must continually uate student Davis Fay, took the data this summer. Then Seemore will be replace them when she sheds scutes and started designing a shell prosthe- able to swim and dive more normal- (plates on the shell). sis — called an exoshell — for the ly, and, says Fay, “if she gets hung Because replacing the weights 100-pound turtle. Using equipment up, she’ll be able to break it off.” r causes Seemore stress, she needed from the U’s Institute for Engineer- —University of Minnesota press release a better method for readjusting her ing in Medicine 3-D Printing Core, buoyancy. Since last summer, a team

One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it. Three, if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don’t throw it away. —Stephen Hawking (1942-2018), British theoretical physicist

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