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Ecol 483/583 – Herpetology Lab 11: Diversity 3: Testudines and Crocodylia Spring 2010

P.J. Bergmann & S. Foldi

Lab objectives The objectives of today’s lab are to: 1. Familiarize yourselves with extant diversity of the Testudines and Crocodylia. 2. Learn to identify species of Testundines that live in . Today's lab is the final lab on "reptile" diversity, and will introduce you to the Testudines, or and , Crocodylia. Although there are no crocodylians in Arizona and the Testudine diversity is lower than that of the lizards or snakes, there is still a fair amount of material to learn, so use your time wisely.

Tips for learning the material At this point in the course, your skills for learning herp diversity should be well honed, so continue with the strategies you have already learned during the semester. Learn how to differentiate the three major clades of Crocodylians, and the more numerous Testudine clades. There is another keying exercise in this lab, focusing on the Testudines.

1 Ecol 483/583 – Lab 11: Testudines & Crocs 2010 Exercise 1: Testudines (Modified from Bonine & Foldi 2008; Bonine, Dee & Hall 2006; Edwards 2002; Prival 2000)

General information Turtles are probably the most instantly recognizable groups of all because of their shell and the ability to withdraw their heads and limbs into this protective structure. Turtles are a monophyletic group comprising the order Testudines also called Chelonia . Testudines is the term used to denote all members of the order (extant and extinct) whereas Chelonia is often used to denote extant turtles. There is some confusion in common terminology used for various groups of turtles. The term ‘’ refers to terrestrial species that have high domed shells, large size and the hind legs are elephantine (columnar). Tortoises belong to the clade Testudinidae. ‘Terrapin’ is used for freshwater species that are generally harvested and eaten, however in Britain it is used for all pond turtles. Terrapins belong to more than one clade of the Testudines.

There are 13 extant families of Testudines, containing about 300 species. Turtles are further divided into two distinctive clades: the and . These are distinguished by their method of neck retraction. The Pleurodira, or side-necked turtles, bend their head and neck to the side ( pleuro – Gr. for ‘side’). The Cryptodira withdraw their necks in a vertical plane into their shell ( krypto – Gr. for ‘hidden’). North American turtles all belong to the Cryptodira. Turtles are found on all continents (with the exception of Antarctica) and reach the greatest species diversity in two areas of the world: Southeastern United States (35 species) and Southeastern Asia (about 90 species). In Arizona there are five native species and four introduced species (all North American species).

The phylogenetic relationships of the Testudines are shown to the right and in your textbook. As you go through the material today, try to think about what sorts of characteristics make some clades of turtles more closely related to each other than to others. A key difference between the Cryptodira and Pleurodira has already been discussed.

What is one species of Pleurodira and one species of Cryptodira that is on display today?

2 Ecol 483/583 – Lab 11: Testudines & Crocs 2010 Generalized morphology The shell is comprised of bony plates that are generally covered with keratinized scutes . These scutes are the portion of the shell that you see, not the actual bones underneath. The shell is comprised of two general sections, the dorsal carapace and the ventral plastron . The scutes that cover both halves of the shell are grouped and named. These features are used in species recognition so it would be good if you familiarize yourself with them. The head is covered with horny plates whereas the neck generally lacks scales. The limbs may be covered with scales (as in the ) or not (as in the Sonoran mud turtle). In aquatic species the feet are webbed with clawed toes. In terrestrial species the feet lack webbing.

Label the different scutes on the shells below. Do all species of turtles on display have the same scutes? Have any species lost some? Which ones?

Pough et al. 2004, Fig. 4 -5

Evolutionary trends and conservation Turtle is the source of much inquiry and debate. The debate is dicussed in some detail in your textbook and in lecture. Study this for lecture exams, but don’t worry about it for the lab.

The marvelous feature of the shell, from a comparative evolutionary and anatomy standpoint, is the fact that the shell is comprised of the rib cage and the limb girdles, with the collar bone and pelvis inside the rib cage. Somehow the ancestral form for the turtles managed this feat and it has been so successful very few changes have been made to the basic turtle morphology in over 200 million years. In fact, the from South America has not changed in shell morphology for over 60 million years. This evolutionary ‘conservatism’ suggests just how successful life in a suit of armor is. Turtles have life history strategies that reflect this morphological success. Most turtle mortality occurs during the egg and hatchling stage, when

3 Ecol 483/583 – Lab 11: Testudines & Crocs 2010 the shell is still soft. Once the shell hardens, turtle survivorship is high. In addition, sexual maturity is delayed in turtles and reproductive success is highly correlated with increased age. As a result, the removal of adults for food, medicine or pet trade can have devastating effects on wild populations.

Turtle populations everywhere are declining. Although there have been turtle conservation successes (for example, halts in population declines in some populations) the opposite is the rule. Turtle products are so popular in Asia that three quarters of Asia’s native turtle populations are considered threatened and two Chinese turtles are thought now to be extinct (Altyherr and Freyer, 2000, Anon. 2001). During the past century 11 turtle species (out of the 300 known) have gone extinct and 49% are considered threatened by the IUCN (The World Conservation Union, Turtle Conservation fund, 2002). Demand for turtle products in Asia is so great that exports of North American turtles to Asia has increased over 1000% in the past 20 years. The pet trade also has been implicated in turtle declines worldwide. This demand combined with worldwide habitat destruction and lack of conservation laws means that turtles face considerable threats to their survival. In the U.S., fifteen species are listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

orth American Turtles : Marine Turtles Content and distribution: 5 genera, 6 species. Worldwide, in temperate and tropical oceans.

Morphology: This includes all marine turtles with hard shells. Their forelimbs are more strongly developed than their hind limbs and are shaped like flippers. They cannot retract their heads inside their shells. Adults vary in size from 70 cm to 1.5 m in length.

Life history: Cheloniids spend their entire lives at sea, except when females come ashore briefly to lay eggs. They typically eat grasses and invertebrates found on the sea floor. Cheloniids are known for their extensive migrations between breeding and feeding sites. The female comes ashore at night to lay eggs, building a nest in the sand above the high tide line. Females usually exhibit high fidelity toward particular nesting beaches. The clutches are large, varying from 80-200 eggs. Several clutches may be laid at 2-3 week intervals, although females usually only reproduce once every two or three years.

Miscellaneous facts: All five cheloniids that occur in U.S. waters are on the Endangered Species List. Primary threats include the development and destruction of nesting beaches, the collection of turtle eggs and hatchlings, and the use of outmoded shrimp nets that trap and drown sea turtles. The use of modified nets that allow turtles to escape are in use by many countries but not all.

Species in lab: Caretta caretta – Loggerhead Chelonia mydas – Eretmochelys imbricata – Hawksbill Seaturtle Lepidochelys olivacea – Pacific Ridley Seaturtle

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Chelydridae: Snapping Turtles Content and distribution: 2 genera, 3 species. Eastern North America, including southern Canada. Into South America, as far as Ecuador. Platysternon found in southeastern Asia.

Morphology: Chelydrids have a large head and limbs that cannot be fully retracted into the shell, powerful hooked jaws, a long saw-toothed tail, and a small plastron. They have 11 marginal scutes per side.

Life history: Chelydrids are highly aquatic freshwater and brackish-water turtles, inhabiting swamps, ponds, lakes, and streams. However, they are not particularly strong swimmers and usually get around by walking underwater. They are typically ambush predators, feeding opportunistically on invertebrates, carrion, aquatic plants, fish, birds, and small mammals. Eggs are deposited in flask-shaped cavity nests on land, sometimes as far as 0.5 km from water.

Miscellaneous facts: Macroclemys temminckii is the heaviest freshwater turtle, weighing as much as 250 pounds (113 kg). Chelydrids are known for their nasty tempers and strong jaws, so watch your fingers if you encounter them live. serpentina is not native to Arizona, but apparently has been found near Phoenix.

Species in lab: Chelydra serpentina – Snapping Turtle

What is a ynapomorphy of the that will allow you to identify them from other testudine clades?

Dermochelyidae: Leatherback Turtles Content and distribution: 1 species: Dermochelys coriacea . Worldwide distribution in temperate and tropical oceans.

Morphology: The carapace of dermochelyids is composed of ridged, leathery skin instead of keratinous scutes. The shell bones found in other turtles are replaced by small, bony plates embedded in the skin (osteoderms). They cannot retract their head or limbs. Unlike other marine turtles, dermochelyids lack claws.

Hypothesize as to why leatherback turtles might have a highly reduced shell.

5 Ecol 483/583 – Lab 11: Testudines & Crocs 2010 Life history: Like the cheloniids, the dermochelyids are completely marine, only the females come ashore to lay eggs. Dermochelyids primarily eat jellyfish and are incapable of chewing hard prey due to their weak jaws. Their esophagus has many backwards-pointing, stiff spines which may aid in swallowing soft-bodied marine invertebrates. Reproduction is similar to that of cheloniids. The clutches are large, varying from 50-170 eggs.

Miscellaneous facts: This endangered species is the largest turtle in the world, reaching over seven feet in length and weighing almost a ton. Dermochelys coriacea probably also has a larger geographical range than any other reptile.

Species in lab: None.

Emydidae: Semiaquatic Pond and Marsh Turtles Content and distribution: 12 genera, 40 species. The Americas, Europe, W Asia, NW Africa.

Morphology: As is often the case with large families, easily recognized synapomorphies are few. All have a bony shell covered with keratinous scutes and well-developed limbs. Most have solid plastrons, but three genera have single-hinged plastrons.

What adaptive value would a platron with a hinge have?

Life history: Emydids are aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial. They are mostly omnivorous, but a few are carnivorous. Females dig a flask-shaped nest/cavity in which eggs are laid. Reproductive activity is strongly correlated with precipitation in many species.

Miscellaneous facts: Commercial collectors, especially in the eastern U.S, have harvested Emydid populations heavily. scripta is not native to Arizona, but populations have become established here and throughout the world as a result of the pet trade.

Species in lab: Actinemyss marmorata – Pacific Pond Turtle Chrysemys picta – Clemmys guttata – Glyptemyss insculpta – Deirochelys reticularia – geographica – Common Map Turtle Graptemys nigrinoda – Black-knobbed Map Turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica – Graptemys versa – concinna (P. floridana) – Coastal Plains Cooter Terrapene carolina – Eastern Trachemys scripta ( Pseudemys scripta ) –

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Kinosternidae: Musk and Mud Turtles Content and distribution: 3 genera, 22 species. North, Central, and South America.

Morphology: Kinosternids have a carapace covered by overlapping horny shields. The plastron, which may be greatly reduced, is either singly or doubly hinged. They have paired musk glands near the bridge that secrete foul smelling fluids when handled. They have barbels (nipple-like projections) on the chin and neck, a short tail, and 23 marginal scutes (most other turtles have 25).

Life history: These turtles are either fully aquatic or semi-aquatic but are not strong swimmers; instead they are bottom walkers. They are found in and around the edges of lakes, streams, and ponds, preferring slow-moving water with abundant vegetation. All kinosternids are opportunistic feeders, primarily carnivorous, feeding on invertebrates, fish, and frogs.

Miscellaneous facts: “” means moveable chest.

Species in lab: Kinosternon baurii – Kinosternon flavescens – Kinosternon hirtipes – Rough-footed Mud Turtle Kinosternon sonoriense – Kinosternon subrubrum – carinatus – Razor-backed Musk Turtle – Stinkpot

How would you distinguish K. flavescens from K. sonoriense ?

Testudinidae: Tortoises Content and distribution: 11 genera, ~40 species. Worldwide distribution in tropical and temperate zones except northern North America, northern Eurasia, and Australia.

Morphology: Testudinids have high domed shells; heavily scaled, strong legs; flattened forelimbs with claws; and unwebbed feet. They are able to fully retract their head and limbs into their shell.

Life history: All testudinids are terrestrial and occur in habitats ranging from extremely arid desert regions to tropical rainforests. Most tortoises are herbivorous, but a few are omnivorous. Some species use their flattened forelimbs to dig burrows. Most lay fairly small egg clutches.

7 Ecol 483/583 – Lab 11: Testudines & Crocs 2010 Miscellaneous facts: Two of the three U.S. species are endangered. agassizii is federally protected in CA, NV, and UT and state protected in AZ.

Species spotlight: The Desert tortoise is federally listed as a threatened species in the Mojave Desert of Nevada and . These populations have experienced rapid declines associated with the occurrence of upper respiratory tract disease (URTD). The spread of URTD in wild populations has likely been accelerated by the escape or release of captive, pet tortoises. Additional factors in their decline include loss of habitat to residential and agricultural development, roadkill, and habitat alteration by off road vehicles and grazing. The Sonoran Desert population of the desert tortoise is not federally listed, but is of special concern in Arizona and is fully protected throughout its range. URTD is found in Sonoran populations but similar die-offs have not been observed. In Arizona, loss of habitat to residential development is probably the greatest immediate threat to the species.

The basic activity cycle identified in the Sonoran Desert is peak activity during the summer monsoons. By late august, breeding occurs as males pursue females in courtship rituals. A male may stay with a single female for several days before searching for another. Adult males that come into contact during this time may combat for dominance, but this behavior may be less common in Sonoran populations than in Mojave populations (Niblick et. al. 1994). As winter approaches (late October/early November) tortoises generally move upslope to winter hibernacula (Bailey 1992). Females store sperm over the winter and follicles may develop in the spring (Murray et. al. 1996). Males are generally not active during the winter or spring and stay in hibernation or aestivation until the summer rains occur. Females may take advantage of warm weather and bask or feed during winter or spring to boost metabolism needed for reproduction. Not all females necessarily lay eggs in a given year. Typically, only 30-70% of females in Sonoran populations will lay eggs (Averill-Murray 2000). Female desert tortoises in the Sonoran Desert have been observed to defend nests since the eggs are vulnerable to predation by Gila monsters, ringtails, and skunks.

Species in lab: pardalis – Geochelone sulcata – Gopherus agassizii – Desert Tortoise

Examine the specimens of G. agassizii on display. How would you distinguish males from females? Give at least two distinguishing characteristics.

8 Ecol 483/583 – Lab 11: Testudines & Crocs 2010 : Softshelled Turtles Content and distribution: 14 genera, ~27 species. North America from S. Canada to N. Mexico (except for NW U.S), Africa, the Middle East, India and East Asia.

Morphology: Trionychids have nearly circular, flat, flexible shells that are covered in a leathery skin that lacks keratinous scutes. Trionychids have carapace bones that are greatly reduced in addition to the lack of shell scutes. They have long necks, fleshy lips instead of a beak, a fleshy proboscis on the snout, and fully webbed paddle-like limbs.

Life history: Trionychids are completely aquatic and strong swimmers. They are carnivores which either ambush or actively seek prey. They are capable of cutaneous gas exchange, but often use their long snouts as snorkels. Females lay eggs in a nest on land near water.

Miscellaneous facts: spinifera has been introduced into the Lower Colorado and Gila River systems in Arizona.

Species in lab: Apalone mutica ( muticus ) – Smooth Softshell Apalone spinifera ( Trionyx spiniferus ) – Spiny Softshell

Clades not found in orth America but with specimens in lab : fimbriatus – Matamata : Podocnemis unifilis – Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle

9 Ecol 483/583 – Lab 11: Testudines & Crocs 2010 Exercise 2: Crocodylia (Modified from Bonine & Foldi 2008; Edwards 2002; Prival 2000)

General information The Crocodylia is a monophyletic group. They are the sister group to dinosaurs + birds, making up the Archosauria with those taxa. Crocs have been around since the mid- (~215 mya). There are three main clades, with 7 genera and 23 species currently recognized. The phylogenetic position of the members of the Gavialidae are under contention, with molecular and morphological data conflicting. Pictured to the left (Pough et al. Fig. 4-39) is the most widely accepted phylogeny. Crocs are found in tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world.

Generalized morphology Crocodilians have elongate, powerful, heavily- armored bodies with four short, powerful limbs; a long snout with thecodont teeth; and a long, muscular tail. They have several adaptations for their aquatic habitat, including webbed feet, nostrils that can be closed by valves, and a secondary palate that enables the crocs to breathe air through their nostrils while their mouths are open underwater. Some other derived crocodilian respiratory features include a four-chambered heart (other reptiles have three-chambered hearts), a diaphragm-like membrane between the pectoral and abdominal cavities, and lungs with well- developed alveoli. Cloacal slit is longitudinal (compared to the transverse cloacal slit of the Squamata).

Examine a crocodilian on display. What is meant by thecodont teeth?

What is a secondary palate and how does it allow crocs to breath with their mouths full (hint: do we have a secondary palate?)

10 Ecol 483/583 – Lab 11: Testudines & Crocs 2010 Generalized life history Crocodilians are closely tied to water, but can also get around quite well on land. They are strictly carnivorous and eat a wide variety of , including about 2,000 humans per year. The three main clades have a close association between diet and cranial morphology.

Pough et al. Fig. 4-38

Gavialis and Tomistoma have long and very thin snouts with which they slash laterally into schools of small fish. Alligator and Paleosuchus have relatively broad, short and heavy snouts and often specialize in eating turtles. Members of the genera Crocodylus and Caiman have snouts of moderate length and intermediate breadth and are generalized predators. Drowning is often used as a method of killing large prey. Low-frequency calls are used to communicate with other crocs of the same species and are also important in parental care for communication between nestlings and between young and their mother. They become quite territorial during the breeding season. All crocodilians have internal fertilization and are oviparous. Crocs lack differentiated sex chromosomes and developing embryos have temperature-dependent sex determination. Eggs are laid in nests near water and are guarded by the parents. In several species, the female assists with digging up the nests, hatching, and transports the young to water in her mouth. Hatchlings may remain with the female for a few weeks. These are some of the few examples of well-developed parental care in reptiles. Crocs are generally inactive during the winter, spending those months in burrows or quiet water.

How might a broad snout be adaptive for subduing turtles?

How would internal fertilization be adaptive for animals like crocodylians?

11 Ecol 483/583 – Lab 11: Testudines & Crocs 2010 Conservation Hunting (for leather and meat) and habitat destruction are the main threats faced by crocodilians today. Many species have declined significantly over the last 200 years as a result of these pressures, and at least 17 of the world’s 23 croc species receive some kind of governmental protection. Experimental efforts to control hunting by creating croc farms and using incentives to encourage sustainable harvest of wild populations are underway, but according to some, these efforts are failing the species most in need (see Thorbjarnarson 1999). Several species will probably become extinct in the near future.

orth American Families Alligatoridae: Alligators and caimans Content and distribution: 3 genera, 8 species. SE U.S., Central and South America, and east China.

Morphology: Alligatorids have broad snouts that hide the lower teeth when the jaw is closed. Some species can reach at least 6 meters in length.

Life history: Most inhabit fresh water, but Alligator mississippiensis can occasionally be found in marine coastal water.

Miscellaneous facts: Alligator mississippiensis is the only native U.S. alligatorid, but Caiman crocodilus has been introduced into southern Florida. Alligator mississippiensis was extensively hunted in the U.S. from around 1800 to 1962 for the leather trade, resulting in widespread population declines and local extirpations. Following protection in the 1960’s, the species rebounded well in the U.S. and is currently probably more abundant than any other crocodilian. Today, South American caimans are the main source of crocodilian leather, endangering several species.

Species in lab: Alligator mississippiensis – American alligator Caiman spp. – Caiman

Crocodylidae: Crocodiles Content and distribution: 2 genera, 13 species. Distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas.

Morphology: Crocodylids usually have narrower snouts than alligatorids and the 4th tooth of the lower jaw is visible when the mouth is closed. One species can reach about 7 meters in length.

Life history: Some species inhabit brackish and salt water, others inhabit fresh water.

Miscellaneous facts: Crocodylids face essentially the same threats as alligatorids. The Australasian Crocodylus porosus and African Crocodylus niloticus are the crocodilian

12 Ecol 483/583 – Lab 11: Testudines & Crocs 2010 species that tend to eat people relatively often. The only crocodylid in the U.S. is Crocodylus acutus , where it is restricted to only a few protected areas in southern Florida.

Species in lab: None.

Exercise 3: Keying Turtles In going through the specimens on display today, you probably noticed that some turtles can be tricky to identify - they all have shells and the same general body plan. As you know, a taxonomic key can help you with this. On display are six unidentified specimens that you should key out. Don't forget to write down the steps you took to arrive at each identification.

A. Steps: ______B. Steps: ______Species: ______Species: ______

C. Steps: ______D. Steps: ______Species: ______Species: ______

E. Steps: ______F. Steps: ______Species: ______Species: ______

13 Ecol 483/583 – Lab 11: Testudines & Crocs 2010 REFERECES Altyherr S. and Freyer, D. 2000. Asian turtles are threatened by . Turtle and Tortoise Newsletter, 1: 7-13. Anonymous, 2001. Scientists say half of Asia’s turtles endangered. TRAFFIC press release. Turtle and Tortoise Newsletter, 3: 13-14. Averill-Murray, R.C. 2000. Reproduction and activity of desert tortoises at Sugarloaf Mountain, Arizona. Sonoran Herpetologist, 13 (9): 98-101. Bailey, S.J. 1992. Hibernacula use and home range of the desert tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii ) in the San Pedro Valley, Arizona. M.S. Thesis, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson. Behler, J. L. and F. W. King. 1979. National Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles and amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, New York. Brazaitis, P., M.E. Watanabe, and G. Amato. 1998. The caiman trade. Scientific American. March: 70- 76. Cogger, H. G. 1999. The little guides: reptiles and amphibians. Weldon Oden, Inc., San Francisco, California. Crother, B.I. 2000. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America North of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Lawrence, Kansas. Drimmer, F. 1954. The kingdom. Volume II. Greystone Press, New York, New York. Ernst, C.H. and R.W. Barbour. 1972. Turtles of the United States. The University Press of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky. Ernst, C.H., J.E. Lovich, and R.W. Barbour. 1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. Goin, C.J., O.B. Goin, and G.R. Zug. 1978. Introduction to herpetology. 3rd ed. W.H. Freeman and Co., San Francisco, California. Murray, R.C., C.R. Schwalbe, S.J. Bailey, S.P. Cuneo and S.D. Hart. 1996. Reproduction in a population of the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, in the Sonoran Desert. Herpetological Natural History, 4 (1): 83-88. Niblick, H.A., D.C. Rostal, and T. Classen. 1994. Role of male-male interactions and female choice in the mating system of the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii . Herpetological Monographs, (8): 124- 132. Phillips, S. J. and P. W. Comus. 1999. A natural history of the Sonoran Desert. Arizona- Sonora Desert Museum Press, Tucson, Arizona. Porter, K.R. 1972. Herpetology. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pough, F. H., R. M. Andrews, J. E. Cadle, M. L. Crump, A. H. Savitzky, and K. D. Wells. 2001. Herpetology. Second edition. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Stebbins, R. C. 1985. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. 2nd Edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Massachusetts. Turtle Conservation Fund, 2002. A global action plan for conservation of tortoises and turtles. Strategy and funding prospectus 2002-2007. Washington, DC: Conservation International and Chelonian Research Foundation, 30pp. Thorbjarnarson, J. 1999. Crocodile tears and skins: international trade, economic constraints, and limits to the sustainable use of crocodilians. Conservation Biology 13(3): 465-470. Tyning, T. F. 1990. Stokes nature guides: a guide to amphibians and reptiles. Little, Brown, and Company, Boston, Massachusetts. Williams, T. 1999. The terrible turtle trade. Audubon. March-April: 44-51.

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