Glyptemys
| Glyptemys Temporal range: 0–0Ma Neogene(Pleistocene) - Recent[1] |
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| Glyptemys muhlenbergii | |
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| Glyptemys insculpta | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Family: | Emydidae |
| Subfamily: | Emydinae[2] |
| Genus: | Glyptemys Agassiz, 1857 |
| Species | |
Glyptemys muhlenbergii [3] Glyptemys insculpta [4]  Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3)
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Glyptemys is a genus of turtle in the family Emydidae. It comprises two species, the bog turtle and wood turtle, both of which are endemic to North America. Until 2001, these turtles were considered members of the genus Clemmys, which currently has one member: the spotted turtle.
Full grown, these turtles grow to between 8.9 and 20 centimeters (3.5 and 7.9 in). These turtles are semi-aquatic, although this varies based on season. They have morphological characteristics that make them unique from other species and unique from each other.
The Glyptemys turtles prefer slow moving streams and ponds and feed on insects, plant matter, small invertebrates, and eat carrion. These turtles are protected throughout their range.
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[edit] Taxonomy
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| In the past, the taxonomic classification of these turtles looked very different however, the current system has Clemmys as a monotypic genus and Glyptemys, Terrepene, and Emys as three distinct genera (the species Emys trinacris is not shown).[6] |
The taxonomic classification of Emydidae turtles has been eventful and there are many schools of thought about how the different genera and species should be arranged.[6]
Before 2001, the bog and wood turtles were members of the Clemmys genus, however, they were moved to a newly created genus, Glyptemys, after further morphological and genetic analyses revealed that they were much closer relatives to each other than to the spotted turtle.[7] The bog turtle and wood turtle have a similar genetic makeup that is marginally different than that of the spotted turtle, the only current member of the Clemmys genus.[8] The western pond turtle was also a former member of Clemmys, but it was recently moved to the genus Actinemys: of which it is now the only member.[9] Both Glyptemys turtles have a karyotype that consists of 50 chromosomes.[10][11]
There are several common names for each species: ones for the bog include mud turtle, marsh turtle, yellowhead, and snapper[12] while the wood may be referred to as the sculptured tortoise, red-legged tortoise, or redleg.[7]
[edit] Description
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Although the Glyptemys turtles may not be the same size, they share certain morphological and genetic attributes
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Glyptemys turtles are small to medium in size:[7][13] the bog turtle males grow to be 9.4 centimeters (3.7 in) and females 8.9 centimeters (3.5 in)[13] while wood turtles of either gender reach 14 to 20 centimeters (5.5 to 7.9 in) in length.[14] Bog turtles weigh 110 grams (3.9 oz)[15] and wood turtles average 1 kilogram (35 oz) at maturity.[16] The bog can be recognized by small, bright blotches on each side of its neck [12] and the wood by its dark gray to black head and bright orange coloration on its ventral surfaces.[7]
[edit] Distribution and habitat
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The wood turtle's distribution (left) extends farther north than the bog turtle's (right)
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Glyptemys turtles are endemic to eastern North America. Their collective range extends from Nova Scotia south to Georgia and from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota.[11][17] These turtles are semi-aquatic and are commonly found in bogs, fens,[18] and small streams which have soft yet compacted sandy bottoms.[19]
[edit] Evolutionary history
During the last post-Pleistocene ice age, Glyptemys turtles were forced south by encroaching glaciers from the north. After glaciation, some turtle colonies relocated to their original northern range while others continued to live in the new, southern range. Some fossil remains from the Rancholabrean period (300,000 to 11,000 years BP) have been found in states such as Georgia and Tennessee, areas farther south than the turtles' current range.[1][20]
[edit] Ecology and behavior
These turtles are diurnal and become active in the early morning.[1][21] During extremely cold days they each may spend time underwater while the bog has been known to also seek dense underbrush or mud to bury itself in.[22] Excessively hot days sometimes causes these turtles to estivate.[19][23]
[edit] Conservation
Both Glyptemys turtles are protected throughout their range. The bog turtle is considered endangered[3] while the wood turtle is labeled as vulnerable, a less dire rating.[4]
[edit] References
- Notes
- Footnotes
- ^ a b c Ernst 2009, p. 265
- ^ Rhodin, Anders G.J.; Paul van Dijk, Peter; Inverson, John B.; Shaffer, H. Bradley. "Turtle of the world 2010 Update: Annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution and conservation status" (pdf). p. 000.104. Archived from the original on 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
- ^ a b "Glyptemys muhlenbergii". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. 2010-11-27. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- ^ a b "Glyptemys insculpta". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. 2010-11-27. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- ^ Bickham 2007, p. 81
- ^ a b Bickham 2007, p. 82
- ^ a b c d Bowen 2004, p. 5
- ^ Ernst 2009, p. 262
- ^ Bickham 2007, p. 74
- ^ Ernst 2009, p. 269
- ^ a b Ernst 2009, p. 251
- ^ a b Bloomer 2004, pp. 1–2
- ^ a b Bloomer 2004, pp. 2
- ^ NHESP 2007, p. 1
- ^ "Bog Turtle". Department of Environmental Protection. State of Connecticut. 2002. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ COSEWIC 2007, p. iv
- ^ Shiels 2007, p. 24
- ^ Walton 2006, p. 26
- ^ a b Bowen 2004, p. 4
- ^ Ernst 2009, p. 250
- ^ Ernst 2009, p. 253
- ^ "Bog Turtle – Fact Sheet". North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission. 2006. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ Ernst 2009, p. 266
- Bibliography
- Bickham, John; James Parham, Hans-Dieter Philippen, Andres Rhodin, Bradley Shaffer, Phillip Spinks, Peter Paul Van Dijk (2007). "Turtle Taxonomy: Methodology, Recommendations, and Guidelines". Chelonian Research Monographs: 73–84. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- Bloomer, Tom J. (2004) [1970]. The Bog Turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii... A Natural History. Gainesville, Florida: LongWing Press. OCLC 57994322. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
- Bowen, Kenneth; James C. Gillingham (2004). "R9 Species Conservation Assessment for Wood Turtle – Glyptemys insculpta (LeConte, 1830)" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-05-12.
- Ernst, C. H.; Lovich, J. E. (2009). Turtles of the United States and Canada (2 ed.). JHU Press. pp. 250–271. ISBN 978-0-8018-9121-2.
- Shiels, Andrew L. (2007). "Bog Turtles Slipping Away". Nongame and Endangered Species Unit. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Fish and Boat Commission. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
- Smith, Erika (October 2006). "Bog Turtle". National Resources Conservation Service. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
- Walton, Elizabeth M. (2006). "II. Literature Review" (PDF). Using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Science to Predict and Delineate Critical Habitat for the Bog Turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii (M.A. thesis). University of North Carolina at Greensboro. http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/umi-uncg-1170.pdf. Retrieved 2010-04-09.
- "Wood Turtle Glyptemys insculpta" (PDF). nhesp.org. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. 2007. pp. 1–3. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
- "Assessment and Update Status Report on the Wood Turtle Glyptemys insculpta in Canada" (PDF). Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2007. pp. iv–42. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
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