Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Jackson, D. R. (2006). Pseudemys nelsoni – florida red-bellied turtle. In P. A. Meylan (Ed.), Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles Vol. 3, (pp. 313–324).
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (06 Jul 2014 16:11:42 UTC) |
| Resource type: Book Article BibTeX citation key: anon2006w View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat - habitat, Nordamerika - North America, Pelodiscus sinensis, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Trionychidae Creators: Jackson, Meylan Collection: Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles |
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| Abstract |
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The Florida red-bellied turtle, Pseudemys nelsoni, is a large, aquatic, hard-shelled turtle, one of three species of the genus Pseudemys occurring in Florida. The species is sexually dimorphic in body size, with females achieving larger sizes. Males reach maturity at a minimum plastron length (PL) of 170–210 mm but can exceed 260 mm PL (290 mm carapace length, CL) and weigh nearly 3 kg. Females mature at approximately 260–270 mm PL but can reach 300 mm (330 mm CL) or more and weigh greater than 5 kg. The species’ thick, highly domed shell may be an adaptation to resist the biting force of the American alligator, with which this turtle shares much of its habitat. Florida red-bellies typically occupy lakes and marshes, as well as the slower stretches of some rivers. The species’ range includes the entire Florida peninsula, with a poorly known and apparently disjunct population in the Apalachicola River region of the Florida panhandle. Like other Pseudemys, the Florida red-belly feeds upon aquatic plants; its basking habit is well developed and may aid it in digesting its food by raising its body temperature. Females may lay several large clutches of small eggs (average about 14, but up to 32 eggs per clutch) during the late spring and summer; a favorite nesting site is the nest of alligators. At a constant temperature of 30°C, eggs may hatch in as few as 45 days, one of the most rapid developmental rates among turtles. Cooler incubation temperatures (to 25°C) may extend the period to 80 days. Insufficient data are available to characterize most populations, but at least some achieve high densities and biomasses. Adults seem to predominate in some populations, although age structures may vary locally. Despite wetland habitat losses, the species’ conservation status is generally considered to be secure at present.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |