False map turtle

False map turtle
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Emydidae
Subfamily:	Deirochelyinae
Genus:	Graptemys
Species:	G. pseudogeographica
Binomial name
	Graptemys pseudogeographica; (Gray, 1831)
Subspecies
	G. p. pseudogeographica ; (Gray, 1831),; false map turtle; G. p. kohnii (Baur, 1890),; Mississippi map turtle;
	Range map
Synonyms
	Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica (Gray, 1831) Emys pseudogeographica Gray, 1831; Emys lesueurii Gray, 1831; Graptemys lesueurii — Agassiz, 1857; Clemmys pseudogeographica ; — Strauch, 1862; Graptemys pseudogeographica ; — Gray, 1863; Malacoclemmys pseudogeographicus — Cope, 1875; Malacoclemmys lesueuri ; Yarrow, 1883 (ex errore); Malacoclemmys pseudographicus Davis & Rice, 1883 (ex errore); Malacoclemmys lesueurii ; — Boulenger, 1889; Malaclemys pseudogeographica ; — O.P. Hay, 1892; Malaclemys pseudogeographicus — Paulmier, 1902; Graptemys pseudogeographicus ; — Siebenrock, 1909; Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica ; — Stejneger & Barbour, 1917; Malaclemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica ; — Cochran & Goin, 1970; Graptemys pseudogeoraphica Anan'eva, 1988 (ex errore); Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica — Crother, 2000;

The false map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) is a species of turtle endemic to the United States. It is a common pet species. Two subspecies are recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies described here.

Description

Also known as a “sawback” turtle, the carapace features a vertebral row of low spines, and is serrated on the posterior rim. The carapace is olive to brown in color with light yellowish markings with dark borders. The plastron color varies from cream to yellow and is patterned with dark lines along the seams in juveniles. The body color of the false map turtle is grayish brown to blackish and is marked with light brown, yellow, or whitish stripes. The eye can be light yellow, white, or green and is crossed with a dark bar. Narrow hooked marks behind the eye fuse with dorsal lines on the head and neck. Also, small light-colored spots occur below the eye and on the chin.

Geographic range

The false map turtle lives in large streams of the Missouri and Mississippi River systems, ranging from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, through the Dakotas southward to southwestern Alabama, southern and western Mississippi, through Louisiana and East Texas.

Conservation status

In the Midwest, the false map turtle is a species of special interest in Ohio.

Behavior

Map turtles of all kinds are avid baskers, spending many hours during the day in the sun. When with other turtles, they also are very communal, sharing space and using each other for predator-watching, increasing the odds of surviving an attack.

Subspecies

Nominotypical subspecies: G. p. pseudogeographica (Gray, 1831) – False map turtle
G. p. kohnii (Baur, 1890) – Mississippi map turtle^[1]

Ecology

The false map turtle is a strong swimmer and prefers rivers and large creeks with moderate currents, containing aquatic vegetation, as well as snags or floating logs. They are also comfortable in deep and swift water. The turtles are present in oxbow lakes and sloughs, but are absent from lakes, ponds, or small streams. Basking is important to these turtles, and they may even be found on steep, slippery snags.

Threats and management issues

A variety of threats face this species, including the destruction of nests of eggs by animals and insects, falling victim to gill nets, and being shot. False map turtles, much like red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), have also been collected for the pet trade.

Gallery

Clutch preparation of a breeding false map turtle on a meadow
The same turtle during oviposition

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Graptemys pseudogeographica, Reptile Database
^ Fritz Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 189. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2012.