Transcript on the Plymouth Red-bellied Turtle

The Plymouth Red-bellied
Turtle:
Source: www.turtlefarms.com/4inch_gallery.htm
Pseudemys rubiventris
Subspecies:

population that occupies a unique geographical
range

differs in morphology or genetically from
other subspecies

can interbreed with other subspecies of the
same species

use to be considered its own subspecies called
Pseudemys rubiventris bangsi

based on differences in shell measurements
when compared to the mid-Atlantic Redbellied Turtle (3).
No Longer a Subspecies (3): does not differ
genetically from the mid-Atlantic population
www.turtlefarms.com/hatchling-special.htm
Why is it classified as Endangered?

listed on April 02, 1980 based on the subspecies only occurring in
Plymouth County (2)

Only 50 turtles known in 1980

When the subspecies classification taken away, the National Wilderness
Institute filed a petition in1997 to de-list the turtle based on Taxonomic
error

Reclassification as a Disjunct Population Segment (separated by 250
miles) ensured that the turtle remain listed as endangered

extinction of the Plymouth Population would reduce the latitude range by
1/3; other estimates say by 40% (3)
Breeding Age (3):
 15-20 years (3)
 as soon as 12 years for headstarted turtles
Life Expectancy: (3)
 40-45 years
Nesting: (3)

females dig a nest near the pond

1-2 clutches per year (most lay 1)

Incubation period: 73-80 days

Incubation temp: 25 ºC (3)
http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/wetland/wildlife/wild64.jpg
Temp Dependent Sex Determination:
(3)

shady/cool produces males

sunny/warm produces females
Present Sex Ratio:
 currently has more males
 Boot Pond: 2.5 males : 1 female (21:8)
http://www.esasuccess.org/reports/profile_pages/NorthernRedbelliedCooter.html
Habitat (3):

20 coastal plain Ponds

4 towns: Plymouth, Kingston, Carver and
Middleborough

50% in single private owned pond (Federal)
www.turtlefarms.com/4inch_gallery.htm
Major Threats (3):

Habitat loss

Predation

Burning Suppression
www.turtlefarms.com/4inch_gallery.htm
Hatchling Predators (3) :

bull frog, largemouth bass, great blue heron,
raccoon, snapping turtles

Nest predation: raccoons, skunks , red fox,
coyotes, crows
Headstart Program (3)

2,725 have been released from 1984-2007

turtle nests protected with wire enclosures

hatchlings were collected

released at two to six times larger than similaraged turtles in the wild
Status of the Recovery Effort:
Today there are 400-600 breeding age turtles in 20
ponds, but less than 10 have more than 20 breeders.
Delisting Criteria (3):
Status
E to T
Delisting
Population
Size
600 breeding
age
1000 breeding
age
#
subpopulations
15 ponds Self
Sustaining (50
or more
cooters)
20 self
sustaining
(lakes, ponds,
possibly rivers)
with protected
habitat
Turtle Anatomy
http://www.theveterinarian.com.au/clinicalreview/article731.asp
http://reptilis.net/index4/scutes.jpg
http://www.peteducation.com/images/articles/ill_turtle_carapace.gif
Turtle Anatomy
http://www.peteducation.com/images/articles/ill_turtle_plastron.gif