Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Meylan, P. A. (2006). Clemmys guttata – spotted turtle. In P. A. Meylan (Ed.), Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles Vol. 3, (pp. 226–234).
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (30 Jun 2012 22:01:35 UTC) |
| Resource type: Book Article BibTeX citation key: Meylan2006e View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Clemmys, Clemmys guttata, Emydidae, Habitat = habitat, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Systematik = taxonomy Creators: Meylan Collection: Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles |
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| Abstract |
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The spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata, is the only species in Florida that has small yellow spots on a black carapace. It is the rarest freshwater turtle in Florida, with fewer than 50 verifiable records of occurrence. The earliest records were considered to be escaped captives, but regular occurrences in five different areas of the state away from human population centers suggest that this species is native to much of the northern half of peninsular Florida. The little that we know about the spotted turtle in Florida is considered in light of studies of this species from the northeastern U.S. and Canada where it is relatively well-studied. As is the case elsewhere, in Florida this species appears to use a variety of ephemeral and permanent wetland types and seems to occur with regularity in wetland complexes. Elsewhere in its range it is well-known to move between wetland types and adjacent uplands with seasonal regularity. Most observations of this species in Florida have occurred between March and May and nearly all are observations of individuals crossing roadways. Other states that are on the periphery of the range of this species have given it protected status. It is argued that Florida should do likewise. The protection of small wetlands, both permanent and ephemeral, will be essential to the future of this species in Florida.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |