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Journal articles on the topic 'Freshwater turtles'
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1
Shiping, Gong, Wang Jichao, Shi Haitao, Song Riheng, and Xu Rumei. "Illegal trade and conservation requirements of freshwater turtles in Nanmao, Hainan Province, China." Oryx 40, no. 3 (July 2006): 331–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0030605306000949.
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China has one of the world's most diverse freshwater turtle faunas but is also a major consumer of freshwater turtles. In the 1980s over-collecting, illegal trade and habitat destruction increased dramatically, pushing almost all Chinese turtles towards extinction. Despite the critical status of Chinese turtles little has been done to quantify and evaluate the impact of illegal activities on wild populations. We used a combination of market surveys and questionnaires to examine the illegal trade and conservation status of native freshwater turtles in Nanmao, Hainan Province, from February to August 2003. We found a total of 245 collected freshwater turtles comprising eight species. These data indicate that Nanmao has a rich freshwater turtle fauna that is being affected heavily by illegal poaching. No effective measures have been taken to protect the few remaining wild turtle populations. The main factors that lead to illegal trade include the cultural belief that turtles are a viable food/medicine product, lack of conservation awareness, poaching of turtles as a supplement to income, and poor law enforcement. Possible conservation strategies are discussed.
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Shao, Shuai, Lan Li, Yang Yang, and Chang-Fu Zhou. "Hyperphalangy in a new sinemydid turtle from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota." PeerJ 6 (July 27, 2018): e5371. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5371.
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Hyperphalangy is a rare condition in extant aquatic turtles, and mainly limited to soft-shelled turtles. Here we report a new freshwater turtle,Jeholochelys lingyuanensisgen. et sp. nov. from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota of western Liaoning, China. This new turtle is characterized by a hyperphalangy condition with one additional phalanx in pedal digit V, rather than the primitive condition (phalangeal formula: 2-3-3-3-3) of crown turtles.J. lingyuanensisis recovered with other coexisting turtles in the family Sinemydidae in the phylogenetic analysis. This discovery further confirms that hyperphalangy occurred multiple times in the early evolutionary history of the crown turtles. Hyperphalangy is possibly a homoplasy inJeholochelysand the soft-shelled turtles to adapt to the aquatic environments.
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Jadhav, Trupti D., Nitin S. Sawant, and Soorambail K. Shyama. "Diversity and distribution of freshwater turtles (Reptilia: Testudines) in Goa, India." Journal of Threatened Taxa 10, no. 9 (August 26, 2018): 12194. http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.2835.10.9.12194-12202.
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Freshwater turtles symbolize a key component of biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. Of the 356 living species of turtles and tortoises in the world, 34 species are recorded from India. The number of freshwater turtle and tortoise species found in the state of Goa, however, is debatable. No study specific to the Goa region has been carried out on freshwater turtles. Therefore, baseline data on diversity and distribution of freshwater turtles is scanty. The present study was conducted to address this lacuna in knowledge, which will further aid in identifying threats to the population of freshwater turtles and in devising appropriate methods for their conservation. The diversity and distribution of freshwater turtles was investigated in 186 sites in Goa from June 2012 to May 2015. A total of 337 specimens of two native and one introduced species of freshwater turtles belonging to three families—Trionychidae (Indian Flap-shell Turtle Lissemys puncata), Geomydidae (Indian Black Turtle Melanochelys trijuga) and Emydidae (Red-eared Slider Trachemys scripta elegans)— were identified. Melanochelys trijuga (52.23%) was the most widely and abundantly distributed species, and was recorded from 132 sites. L. punctata (46.88%) was recorded from 113 sites, while T. scripta elegans (0.89%) was rare and was recorded from only two sites. While Melanochelys trijuga is generalized in habitat selection, making it the widely distributed species in the State of Goa, L. punctata is more specific in habitat selection thus restricting its range to coastal, middle-level plateau and the foothills of Western Ghats.
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Jones, Michael T., Lisabeth L. Willey, Derek T. Yorks, Peter D. Hazelton, and Steve L. Johnson. "Passive transport of Eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata) by freshwater turtles in New England." Canadian Field-Naturalist 134, no. 1 (July 8, 2020): 56–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v134i1.2379.
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Dispersal of freshwater mussels (order Unionida) is primarily as glochidia on the fins and gills of host fish. Adult mussels are more sessile, generally moving short distances (<2 m/week) along lake and river beds. Between 2007 and 2016, we observed seven instances of adult Eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata) and one instance of a fingernail clam (Sphaerium sp.) attached to the feet of freshwater turtles in streams and ponds of New England, United States. Observations included five instances of mussels attached to Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in Maine and Massachusetts, one instance of a mussel attached to the fingernail of an Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) in Massachusetts, one instance of a mussel attached to a Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) in Massachusetts, and one instance of a fingernail clam attached to the fingernail of an Eastern Painted Turtle in Massachusetts. We suggest that Eastern Elliptio may be susceptible to transport by freshwater turtles foraging in mussel beds and that transport of adult mussels by freshwater turtles could result in otherwise atypical long-distance, upstream, or overland dispersal between waterbodies.
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Smith, Geoffrey R., Jessica E. Rettig, and John B. Iverson. "Is righting response lateralized in two species of freshwater turtles?" Behaviour 154, no. 9-10 (2017): 1069–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1568539x-00003458.
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Laterality has been found in a variety of reptiles. In turtles, one important behaviour is the righting response. Here, we studied laterality of righting response of two species of freshwater turtles, the Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) and the Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus). We found evidence of individual-level laterality in righting response inC. picta, but notS. odoratus. Neither species showed evidence of population-level laterality in righting response. Our results suggest that there is variation in the extent of laterality of righting response in turtles. Possible explanations for variation in laterality of righting response in turtles include shell shape and use of terrestrial habitats. However, more species of turtles need to be examined to demonstrate any general patterns in laterality of righting response in turtles.
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Glorioso, Brad M., Allison J. Vaughn, and J. Hardin Waddle. "The Aquatic Turtle Assemblage Inhabiting a Highly Altered Landscape in Southeast Missouri." Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 1, no. 2 (November 1, 2010): 161–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.3996/072010-jfwm-020.
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Abstract Turtles are linked to energetic food webs as both consumers of plants and animals and prey for many species. Turtle biomass in freshwater systems can be an order of magnitude greater than that of endotherms. Therefore, declines in freshwater turtle populations can change energy transfer in freshwater systems. Here we report on a mark–recapture study at a lake and adjacent borrow pit in a relict tract of bottomland hardwood forest in the Mississippi River floodplain in southeast Missouri, which was designed to gather baseline data, including sex ratio, size structure, and population size, density, and biomass, for the freshwater turtle population. Using a variety of capture methods, we captured seven species of freshwater turtles (snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina; red-eared slider Trachemys scripta; southern painted turtle Chrysemys dorsalis; river cooter Pseudemys concinna; false map turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica; eastern musk turtle Sternotherus odoratus; spiny softshell Apalone spinifera) comprising four families (Chelydridae, Emydidae, Kinosternidae, Trinoychidae). With the exception of red-eared sliders, nearly all individuals captured were adults. Most turtles were captured by baited hoop-nets, and this was the only capture method that caught all seven species. The unbaited fyke net was very successful in the borrow pit, but only captured four of the seven species. Basking traps and deep-water crawfish nets had minimal success. Red-eared sliders had the greatest population estimate (2,675), density (205/ha), and biomass (178 kg/ha). Two species exhibited a sex-ratio bias: snapping turtles C. serpentina in favor of males, and spiny softshells A. spinifera in favor of females.
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Dupuis-Desormeaux, Marc, Christina Davy, Amy Lathrop, Emma Followes, Andrew Ramesbottom, Andrea Chreston, and Suzanne E. MacDonald. "Colonization and usage of an artificial urban wetland complex by freshwater turtles." PeerJ 6 (August 8, 2018): e5423. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5423.
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Conservation authorities invest heavily in the restoration and/or creation of wetlands to counteract the destruction of habitat caused by urbanization. Monitoring the colonization of these new wetlands is critical to an adaptive management process. We conducted a turtle mark-recapture survey in a 250 ha artificially created wetland complex in a large North American city (Toronto, Ontario). We found that two of Ontario’s eight native turtle species (Snapping turtle (SN), Chelydra serpentina, and Midland Painted (MP) turtle, Chrysemys picta marginata) were abundant and both were confirmed nesting. The Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) was present but not well established. Species richness and turtle density were not equally distributed throughout the wetland complex. We noted SN almost exclusively populated one water body, while other areas of the wetland had a varying representation of both species. The sex ratios of both SN and MP turtles were 1:1. We tracked the movement of Snapping and Blanding’s turtles and found that most turtles explored at least two water bodies in the park, that females explored more water bodies than males, and that 95% of turtles showed fidelity to individual overwintering wetlands. We performed DNA analysis of two Blanding’s turtles found in the created wetlands and could not assign these turtles to any known profiled populations. The genetic data suggest that the turtles probably belong to a remnant local population. We discuss the implications of our results for connectivity of artificial wetlands and the importance of the whole wetland complex to this turtle assemblage.
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Krishnakumar, K., Rajeev Raghavan, and Benno Pereira. "Protected on Paper, Hunted in Wetlands: Exploitation and Trade of Freshwater Turtles (Melanochelys Trijuga Coronata and Lissemys Punctata Punctata) in Punnamada, Kerala, India." Tropical Conservation Science 2, no. 3 (September 2009): 363–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/194008290900200306.
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Soft shell turtles are among the most threatened groups of freshwater animals that are in need of urgent conservation attention. In Kerala (South India), two species of freshwater turtles, the Indian black turtle or Indian pond terrapin, Melanochelys trijuga coronata (Schweigger, 1812) and the Indian Flap-shelled turtle Lissemys punctata punctata (Lacépède, 1788) are exploited from Vembanad lake and associated wetlands in Punnamada to meet the demand from local restaurants and toddy shops. Eight hundred and forty three individuals belonging to the two species (499 pond terrapins and 344 flap-shelled turtle) were observed during a field survey conducted in 2007 at Punnamada. Despite being listed at the highest level in the Indian wildlife protection act, very little law enforcement takes place and turtles are exploited and traded regularly. Collection and trade have also become an important component of the local livelihoods in Punnamada, with the involvement of around five full-time and 25 part-time collectors. Details of the collection, marketing, economics and management of the freshwater turtles in Punnamada are discussed.
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Mushtaq, Iqra Mushtaq. "Molecular Ecology of Freshwater Turtles and Future directions." Agricultural Sciences Journal 4, no. 2 (December 31, 2022): 115–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.56520/asj.v4i2.200.
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The distribution and diversity of turtles now reflect the lengthy and complex evolution of the taxonomy, which represents an old group of tetrapod vertebrates in terms of evolutionary history. Freshwater turtles represent the majority of the 365 species, and they mostly live in tropical and subtropical regions. Emydidae diversity hotspots can be found in Southeast North America, as can Geoemydidae and Trionychidae in the Indo-Malayan area. While Pelomedusidae are mostly found in Africa, Chelidae are primarily found in the Neotropics and Australia. Most species of the genus are endemic to a particular region or even to a single location. The majority of freshwater turtles suffer varied degrees of threat, mostly from habitat changes and collection. With the use of morphological and molecular data, the majority of phylogenetic trees for different turtle species have been generated using DNA techniques and procedures. The complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4), cytochrome b (Cyt b), carapacial ridge (CR), and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO I) genes of freshwater turtles were sequenced by using universal PCR and long-PCR methods. Along with CR sequences of freshwater turtles, the composition and structure of the control region of diverse species were compared and analysed. Functional domains in the regulatory area, as well as their conserved sequences, were determined based on sequence similarities to other turtles. The mitochondrial regulatory regions and flanking sequences of diverse freshwater turtle species were recovered using Long-PCR and gene-specific primers. To clarify the genetic links between the fresh water turtle species that share the same habitat type, a tree was created based on Cytochrome b sequencing data and the PCR- Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern. Keywords: Complex evolution, Phylogenetics, Phylogenomics, Tetrapod vertebrates
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Rödel, Mark-Oliver. "Predation on tadpoles by hatchlings of the freshwater turtle." Amphibia-Reptilia 20, no. 2 (1999): 173–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853899x00187.
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AbstractExperiments with Pelomedusa subrufa, a widespread African freshwater turtle, showed that this species consumed large quantities of tadpoles. Tadpoles preyed upon, comprised between 0.05 and 21.55% of the turtle's biomass. This demonstrated that Pelomedusa subrufa was neither gape limited nor did it ignore very small prey. Tadpoles with an ovoid body shape (Hemisus marmoratus, Hyperolius nitidulus, Ptychadena maccarthyensis), which shared, under natural conditions, the pond bottom microhabitat with the turtles, were more threatened than the robust tall-finned Kassina tadpoles that lived in the middle of the water column. The translucent, slow swimming Phrynomantis microps tadpole occurred in larger ponds and preferred the upper water column in deeper parts of the pond. This species was especially at risk in ponds with reduced water levels. Turtles, in contrast to fish or dragonfly larvae, are capable of migrating to other ponds. They therefore might have a profound regional influence on tadpole communities in ephemeral savanna ponds.
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Beale, David J., Thao V. Nguyen, Rohan M. Shah, Andrew Bissett, Akhikun Nahar, Matthew Smith, Viviana Gonzalez-Astudillo, Christoph Braun, Brenda Baddiley, and Suzanne Vardy. "Host–Gut Microbiome Metabolic Interactions in PFAS-Impacted Freshwater Turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii)." Metabolites 12, no. 8 (August 16, 2022): 747. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/metabo12080747.
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Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a growing concern for humans, wildlife, and more broadly, ecosystem health. Previously, we characterised the microbial and biochemical impact of elevated PFAS on the gut microbiome of freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) within a contaminated catchment in Queensland, Australia. However, the understanding of PFAS impacts on this species and other aquatic organisms is still very limited, especially at the host–gut microbiome molecular interaction level. To this end, the present study aimed to apply these leading-edge omics technologies within an integrated framework that provides biological insight into the host turtle–turtle gut microbiome interactions of PFAS-impacted wild-caught freshwater turtles. For this purpose, faecal samples from PFAS-impacted turtles (n = 5) and suitable PFAS-free reference turtles (n = 5) were collected and analysed. Data from 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metabolomic profiling of the turtle faeces were integrated using MetOrigin to assign host, microbiome, and co-metabolism activities. Significant variation in microbial composition was observed between the two turtle groups. The PFAS-impacted turtles showed a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and a lower relative abundance of Bacteroidota than the reference turtles. The faecal metabolome showed several metabolites and pathways significantly affected by PFAS exposure. Turtles exposed to PFAS displayed altered amino acid and butanoate metabolisms, as well as altered purine and pyrimidine metabolism. It is predicted from this study that PFAS-impacted both the metabolism of the host turtle and its gut microbiota which in turn has the potential to influence the host’s physiology and health.
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Davy, Christina M., Kum C. Shim, and Suzanne M. Coombes. "Leech (Annelida: Hirudinea) Infestations on Canadian Turtles, Including the First Canadian Record of Helobdella modesta from Freshwater Turtles." Canadian Field-Naturalist 123, no. 1 (January 1, 2009): 44. http://dx.doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v123i1.673.
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We collected leeches from freshwater turtles at two sites in southwestern Ontario. Five leech species (Placobdella parasitica, P. ornata, Helobdella modesta, Erpobdella punctata and Alboglossiphonia heteroclita) were collected from five turtle species (Chrysemys picta, Chelydra serpentina, Clemmys guttata, Emydoidea blandingii and Sternotherus odoratus). We report a new leech record (P. ornata) for C. guttata. The unexpectedly high frequency of H. modesta on freshwater turtles is discussed.
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Browne, Constance L., S. Andrew Sullivan, and Donald F. McAlpine. "Freshwater turtle by-catch from angling in New Brunswick, Canada." Canadian Field-Naturalist 134, no. 3 (November 28, 2020): 222–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v134i3.2437.
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Turtles are among the most threatened vertebrate taxa, with populations especially vulnerable to any increase in adult mortality. By-catch from freshwater angling, as a potential cause of turtle mortality is poorly documented and little understood. Here we document cases of turtle by-catch by recreational anglers in an urban park in New Brunswick and among the wider angling communities in the province. We also consider factors that may influence rates of hooking. Although we are unable to estimate turtle hooking frequency for the provincial recreational angling community as a whole, five of 75 (~7%) anglers interviewed in the urban park reported interactions with a turtle, with most reported incidents (75%) involving hooking. Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) seem to be more prone to hooking than Eastern Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta picta). Although we conclude that turtle hooking by recreational anglers appears to be generally uncommon in New Brunswick, even apparently low by-catch rates may be sufficient to lead to population declines at heavily fished sites. The collection of additional data on turtle by-catch in the recreational fishery in Canada is warranted.
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Li, Min, Cuijuan Niu, and Yixuan Chen. "Diverse Response Pattern to Anoxia in Three Freshwater Turtle Species." Biology 12, no. 1 (December 27, 2022): 50. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biology12010050.
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With increasing water eutrophication and global warming, anoxia and hypoxia are becoming more and more common in water environments. Most vertebrates have a limited tolerance to anoxia of only a few minutes, but some species, such as turtles, can survive for months being exposed to anoxia. Antioxidant defense systems may have a potential role in resisting anoxia stress in freshwater turtles. The three-keeled pond turtle Chinemys reevesii, the snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina and the soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis are three popular aquaculture species and share similar habitats in China. While C. reevesii and C. serpentina are hard-shelled turtles with poor skin permeability, P. sinensis is soft-shelled turtle whose skin permeability is good. We examined the antioxidant defense responses in different tissues of the three turtle species under acute anoxia stress for 10 h and subsequently recovered for 24 h in order to reveal the response patterns of the antioxidant defense system of the three turtle species that differed in morphological structure and life history strategy. We found that the antioxidant response patterns to acute anoxia stress were tissue- and species-specific. The soft-shelled turtle was more sensitive to anoxia than the hard-shelled turtles. Under anoxia stress, the three species kept the activities of most antioxidant enzymes stable. C. reevesii and P. sinensis were highly dependent on vitamin C in antioxidant defense, while high activities of structural antioxidant enzymes were found in the tissues of C. serpentina. The above diverse patterns may be related with adaptive evolution of morphological structure and physiological functions of the three turtle species.
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Bower, Deborah S., Clare E. Death, and Arthur Georges. "Ecological and physiological impacts of salinisation on freshwater turtles of the lower Murray River." Wildlife Research 39, no. 8 (2012): 705. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr11214.
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Context The increasing intensity and extent of anthropogenically mediated salinisation in freshwater systems has the potential to affect freshwater species through physiological and ecological processes. Determining responses to salinisation is critical to predicting impacts on fauna. Aims We aimed to quantify the response of wild-caught turtles from freshwater lakes that had become saline in the lower Murray River catchment. Methods Plasma electrolytes of all three species of freshwater turtle from South Australia were compared among two freshwater sites (Horseshoe Lagoon and Swan Reach), a brackish lake (Lake Bonney) and a saline lake (Lake Alexandrina). Key results Chelodina longicollis, C. expansa and Emydura macquarii from a brackish lake had higher concentrations of plasma sodium and chloride than those from freshwater habitats. However, osmolytes known to increase under severe osmotic stress (urea and uric acid) were not elevated in brackish sites. Turtles from the highly saline lake were colonised by an invasive marine worm which encased the carapace and inhibited limb movement. Conclusions Freshwater turtles in brackish backwaters had little response to salinity, whereas the C. longicollis in a saline lake had a significant physiological response caused by salt and further impacts from colonisation of marine worms. Implications Short periods of high salinity are unlikely to adversely affect freshwater turtles. However, secondary ecological processes, such as immobilisation from a marine worm may cause unexpected impacts on freshwater fauna.
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Rawski, Mateusz, Christoph Mans, Bartosz Kierończyk, Sylwester Świątkiewicz, Aneta Barc, and Damian Józefiak. "Freshwater turtle nutrition – a review of scientific and practical knowledge." Annals of Animal Science 18, no. 1 (January 1, 2018): 17–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2017-0025.
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Abstract Freshwater turtles are commonly kept in captivity as pets, bred in zoos for conservation programs, and commercially farmed for pet markets and human consumption, but their nutrition can be challenging. However, based on practical experience, two main strategies may be identified: the use of non-calculated raw diets and the use of balanced commercial feeds. Raw diets are based on fresh, frozen and dried components including invertebrates, fish, rodents and plant matter; they imitate the variety of foods that are accessible to turtles in the wild and are considered most useful when turtles are bred for reintroduction into their natural habitat as part of conservation programs. Granulated, pelleted or extruded commercial diets are frequently used for farmed and pet turtles; they contain animal- and plant-based materials supplemented with vitamin and mineral premixes and calculated to reach the nutrient levels assumed to be optimal for most species. Until more species-specific information on the nutritional requirements of freshwater turtles is available, the Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), a commonly commercially farmed species for human consumption, may be used as a reference for other species in terms of suggested nutrient levels. Based on experimental data, the most important nutrients and their levels that should be included in turtle diets are crude protein (39.0-46.5%), crude fat (8.8%), Ca (5.7%), P (3.0%), methionine (1.03%), and cysteine (0.25%). The diet composition for freshwater turtles should be based on scientific knowledge and practical experience, so this paper aimed to present and discuss the available data on the nutrient requirements of turtles and the characteristics of the feed materials used in their nutrition.
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Jackson, Donald C., Sarah E. Taylor, Vivian S. Asare, Dania Villarnovo, Jonathan M. Gall, and Scott A. Reese. "Comparative shell buffering properties correlate with anoxia tolerance in freshwater turtles." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 292, no. 2 (February 2007): R1008—R1015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00519.2006.
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Freshwater turtles as a group are more resistant to anoxia than other vertebrates, but some species, such as painted turtles, for reasons not fully understood, can remain anoxic at winter temperatures far longer than others. Because buffering of lactic acid by the shell of the painted turtle is crucial to its long-term anoxic survival, we have tested the hypothesis that previously described differences in anoxia tolerance of five species of North American freshwater turtles may be explained at least in part by differences in their shell composition and buffering capacity. All species tested have large mineralized shells. Shell comparisons included 1) total shell CO2 concentration, 2) volume of titrated acid required to hold incubating shell powder at pH 7.0 for 3 h (an indication of buffer release from shell), and 3) lactate concentration of shell samples incubated to equilibrium in a standard lactate solution. For each measurement, the more anoxia-tolerant species (painted turtle, Chrysemys picta; snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina) had higher values than the less anoxia-tolerant species (musk turtle, Sternotherus odoratus; map turtle, Graptemys geographica; red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta). We suggest that greater concentrations of accessible CO2 (as carbonate or bicarbonate) in the more tolerant species enable these species, when acidotic, to release more buffer into the extracellular fluid and to take up more lactic acid into their shells. We conclude that the interspecific differences in shell composition and buffering can contribute to, but cannot explain fully, the variations observed in anoxia tolerance among freshwater turtles.
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Karson, Alyson, Siow Yan Jennifer Angoh, and Christina M. Davy. "Depredation of gravid freshwater turtles by Raccoons (Procyon lotor)." Canadian Field-Naturalist 132, no. 2 (January 1, 2019): 122–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v132i2.2043.
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During summer 2017, we found 19 dead or fatally wounded adult female turtles belonging to three at-risk species at a nesting site on the north shore of Lake Erie, Ontario. Individuals were found flipped onto their carapace, had similar holes in their body cavities, and were eviscerated. Their eggs had also been consumed. Although turtle nest depredation by Raccoons (Procyon lotor) is common, it is unusual for them to target large numbers of gravid turtles within a season. Depredated species included Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica), and Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii). Our observation represents a spike in additive mortality for these populations, which could have long-term demographic consequences.
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Chen, Tien-Hsi, and Kuang-Yang Lue. "Population status and distribution of freshwater turtles in Taiwan." Oryx 44, no. 2 (April 2010): 261–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0030605310000013.
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AbstractBecause of burgeoning demand in the Chinese market and extensive habitat loss more than half of the freshwater turtle and tortoise species in Asia are categorized as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. To investigate the distribution and status of the native freshwater turtle species of Taiwan a trapping programme was conducted during 2001–2007, yielding a total of 1,828 individuals of four native species at 103 sites. Mauremys sinensis was the most abundant and widely distributed species; it was collected from 70 sites and accounted for 78.6% of all turtles captures. Mauremys mutica comprised 17.8% at 46 sites. Pelodiscus sinensis were captured in low numbers at 19 sites. No Mauremys reevesii were collected on the main island of Taiwan but the species was found on Kinmen Island near mainland China. Capture success was low at most sites and overall sex ratios were significantly male-biased in all species, suggesting that the freshwater turtles have suffered from the negative effects of habitat disturbance and extensive exploitation. Effective conservation measures are urgently required to ensure the viability of the native freshwater turtle species of Taiwan.
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Foglini, Claudio. "Not only pond sliders: freshwater turtles in the water bodies of the Milan northern urban area (Italy)." Natural History Sciences 8, no. 2 (October 28, 2021): 53–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.4081/nhs.2021.529.
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Freshwater turtles represent one of the most common pets released in urban water bodies. In Europe, after the ban on the import of Trachemys scripta, other non-native turtle species now dominate the legal pet trade. Some of these species have high invasive potential, such as the well-known slider turtle, but their diffusion outside their native range is poorly known. This work summarises presence data about non-native freshwater turtles, different from slider turtles T. scripta, into two urban parks located at the northern boundary of the Milan outskirts (Italy, Lombardy). Turtle detections were obtained merging field surveys conducted from 2014 to 2020, with sparse pictures taken by occasional observers. The situation depicted shows, in addition to the ubiquitous spread of slider turtle subspecies and hybrids in both parks, the frequent presence of other multiple genera such as Pseudemys and Graptemys. Isolated individuals of Apalone spinifera, Graptemys ouachitensis, Mauremys sinensis, Pelomedusa subrufa and Sternotherus carinatus were also found. I also detected one Emys orbicularis, probably escaped or released.
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Carstairs, Sue J. "Evidence for low prevalence of ranaviruses in Ontario, Canada’s freshwater turtle population." PeerJ 7 (May 20, 2019): e6987. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6987.
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BackgroundOntario, Canada is home to eight native species of turtles; all eight are federally listed as Species At Risk, due to anthropogenic threats. However, until recently, reports of infectious disease have been lacking. Ranavirus is seen as an emerging threat for ectotherms globally, with mass die-offs most often reported in amphibians. Ranavirus has been detected in Ontario’s amphibian populations, can be transmitted via water, and can be transmitted from amphibians to turtles. However, no studies on the prevalence of this virus in Ontario’s turtles have previously been carried out. With recent reports of two confirmed positive case of ranavirus in turtles in Ontario, a knowledge of the ecology of ranavirus in Ontario’s turtles has become even more important. This study estimates the prevalence of ranavirus in Ontario’s turtles, and investigates the hypothesis that this is a newly emergent disease.MethodsSixty-three samples were tested for ranavirus via PCR. These included a variety of turtle species, across their home range in Southern Ontario. Fifty-two of the samples originated from the liver and kidney of turtles who had succumbed to traumatic injuries after being admitted to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre; ten of the samples were taken from cloacal swabs, lesion swabs, or tail clips collected from live turtles showing signs of clinical disease. One of the live turtles was later euthanized for humane reasons and PCR was also carried out on the liver/kidney.ResultsNone of the 63 samples were found to be positive for ranavirus via PCR. The zero prevalence found in this study translates into a population prevalence estimate of less than 5%, with no change in prevalence from 2014–2018.DiscussionThis is the first report on the prevalence of ranavirus in Ontario’s turtles, and will help build an understanding of the ecology of this virus in Ontario. Ranavirus has historically been underreported in reptiles, but there has been an increase in global reports recently, most likely due to increased awareness. A carrier state is thought to exist in reptiles which makes surveillance in the population via random sampling a viable method of detection of prevalence. The first report of ranavirus in Ontario turtles occurred in 2018. This study suggests a continued low population prevalence for the years 2014–2018, however. Ongoing surveillance is necessary, as well as investigation of the eDNA presence in waterways as compared to the PCR of resident turtles, to further understand the sensitivity of these species to ranavirus infection. The utilization of qPCR would be helpful, to better quantify any positives encountered.
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Dupuis-Désormeaux, Marc, Vince D’Elia, Ryan Burns, Brittany White, and Suzanne E. MacDonald. "A turtle population study in an isolated urban wetland complex in Ontario reveals a few surprises." FACETS 4, no. 1 (June 1, 2019): 584–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/facets-2019-0046.
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We report on the results of the first mark–recapture survey of freshwater turtles in an isolated urban wetland complex in one of Canada’s fastest growing municipalities. Although we found turtles in every surveyed wetland, the density and assemblage of turtles in smaller wetlands were significantly different than in larger wetland bodies. We also documented two species of turtles that were thought to be absent from this wetland complex, the Northern Map turtle and Eastern Musk turtle. We noted that a wetland that was bisected by a high-traffic road showed a male-skewed sex ratio in the population of Midland Painted turtles but not in the population of Eastern Snapping turtles. As a whole, the sex ratios inside the wetland complex were not skewed. These results reinforce the conclusions of a previous study of a single wetland within this same complex that had found a correlation between road mortality and a male-skewed sex ratio in Midland painted turtles. We discuss population sources and sinks within the complex and the importance of protecting the overland corridors that support the safe turtle movements within this provincially significant wetland complex.
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Santori, Claudia, Ricky-John Spencer, James U. Van Dyke, and Michael B. Thompson. "Road mortality of the eastern long-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis) along the Murray River, Australia: an assessment using citizen science." Australian Journal of Zoology 66, no. 1 (2018): 41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo17065.
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Turtles face a variety of threats (e.g. habitat destruction, introduced predators) that are pushing many species towards extinction. Vehicle collisions are one of the main causes of mortality of adult freshwater turtles. To conceptualise the level of threat that roads pose to Australians turtles, we analysed data gathered through the citizen science project TurtleSAT along the Murray River. We recorded 124 occurrences of turtle road mortality, which included all three local species (Chelodina expansa, Chelodina longicollis, and Emydura macquarii). Chelodina longicollis was the most commonly reported species killed on roads. We found that rain and time of year affect the likelihood of C. longicollis being killed on roads: increased turtle mortality is associated with rain events and is highest during the month of November, which coincides with their nesting season. Chelodina longicollis was most likely to be killed on the Hume Highway and roads around major urban centres; therefore, we recommend that governing bodies focus management practices and increase awareness at these locations. The degree of road mortality that we detected in this study requires mitigation, as it may contribute to the decline of C. longicollis along the Murray River.
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Mohd Salleh, Mohd Hairul, Yuzine Esa, Sarahaizad Mohd Salleh, and Shahrul Anuar Mohd Sah. "Turtles in Malaysia: A Review of Conservation Status and a Call for Research." Animals 12, no. 17 (August 25, 2022): 2184. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani12172184.
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Approximately 356 species of turtles inhabit saltwater and freshwater habitats globally, except in Antarctica. Twenty-four species of turtles have been reported in Malaysia, four of which are sea turtles. The state of Terengganu harbored the highest number of turtles, with 17 different reported species. Based on the IUCN Red List, 29% of turtle species in Malaysia are critically endangered. In comparison, another 25% are classified as endangered. Likewise, CITES reported that 67% of Malaysia’s turtles are threatened, while 25% are classified as critically endangered. This review discusses the checklists, molecular genetics work, conservation status, recent trends, and recommendations for future research. Factors contributing to their population declines and current endangered status are also discussed.
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Yudha, Donan Satria, Fidelis Triki Sadewa Aritona, and Rury Eprilurahman. "Characteristics of Shell Bone as an Identification Tool for Turtle Species (Reptiles: Testudines) in Java, Borneo, and Sumatra." Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and Biotechnology 5, no. 1 (April 14, 2020): 35. http://dx.doi.org/10.22146/jtbb.47227.
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There are 42 species of turtles; including sea turtle, freshwater turtle, tortoise, and softshell turtle (Reptilia: Testudines) living in Indonesia today. Turtles have economic values for quite a long time and it has led to illegal trade such as smuggling of carapace and plastron bones. Identification is needed to find out more details about the turtle species. Turtles have shells as unique features with different characteristics on each species. Shell’s identification usually relies on the shape of carapace and plastron. The purpose of this research is to understand turtle shell morphological characters and determine the diagnostic characters of each species. We conducted visual observation on specimen collections from the Laboratory of Animal Systematics, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada and Museum of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The result shows that each turtle species have their own unique shell bone’s characters, therefore it can be used to determine each turtle species of Indonesia.
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Li, Han, Qinyuan Meng, Wanling Wang, Dongmei Mo, Wei Dang, and Hongliang Lu. "Gut Microbial Composition and Liver Metabolite Changes Induced by Ammonia Stress in Juveniles of an Invasive Freshwater Turtle." Biology 11, no. 9 (September 5, 2022): 1315. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biology11091315.
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As the most common pollutant in aquaculture systems, the toxic effects of ammonia have been extensively explored in cultured fish, molluscs, and crustaceans, but have rarely been considered in turtle species. In this study, juveniles of the invasive turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans, were exposed to different ammonia levels (0, 0.3, 3.0, and 20.0 mg/L) for 30 days to evaluate the physiological, gut microbiomic, and liver metabolomic responses to ammonia in this turtle species. Except for a relatively low growth rate of turtles exposed to the highest concentration, ammonia exposure had no significant impact on the locomotor ability and gut microbial diversity of turtles. However, the composition of the microbial community could be altered, with some pathogenic bacteria being increased in ammonia-exposed turtles, which might indicate the change in their health status. Furthermore, hepatic metabolite profiles via liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed extensive metabolic perturbations, despite being primarily involved in amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism. Overall, our results show that ammonia exposure causes gut dysbacteriosis and disturbs various metabolic pathways in aquatic turtle species. Considering discrepant defense mechanisms, the toxic impacts of ammonia at environmentally relevant concentrations on physiological performance might be less pronounced in turtles compared with fish and other invertebrates.
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Georges, Arthur, Fiorenzo Guarino, and Biatus Bito. "Freshwater turtles of the TransFly region of Papua New Guinea - notes on diversity, distribution, reproduction, harvest and trade." Wildlife Research 33, no. 5 (2006): 373. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr05087.
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The Chelidae is a family of side-necked turtles restricted in distribution to South America and Australasia. While their biology in Australia is reasonably well known, species in New Guinea are very poorly known despite high diversity, especially in the southern lowlands. In this paper, we report on the diversity, distribution, habitat and reproductive biology of the freshwater turtles of the TransFly region of the Western Province of Papua New Guinea, with special emphasis on reproduction of Emydura subglobosa, Elseya branderhorsti and Elseya novaeguineae. Seven species were captured, with reliable records of an eighth. A key to the freshwater turtles of the TransFly region is provided. Harvest methods, consumption, and trade in turtles by the TransFly communities are documented. There is mounting pressure to take advantage of revenue opportunities afforded by the Asian turtle trade, but this is impeded by lack of transport infrastructure. There is also insufficient demographic information on any New Guinean turtle species to make a reasoned judgment on the level of harvest that would be sustainable. Nor is there sufficient information on captive rearing for most species, and where it is available it is not accessible by local villagers. These knowledge gaps need to be addressed and factored into a management plan that is implemented before local communities can capitalise on the commercial opportunities provided by the turtle fauna without risking collapse of the resource and the implications for their concurrent subsistence economy that would follow.
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Moos, Tyrel S., and Brian G. Blackwell. "Characterization of Western Painted Turtle Bycatch in Fyke Nets During Freshwater Fish Population Assessments." Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 7, no. 1 (November 1, 2015): 222–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.3996/102014-jfwm-077.
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Abstract In fisheries management, fish populations are assessed using various net types that invariably also capture nontarget species. Although the bycatch of turtles tends to be a common occurrence, data describing the bycatch of turtles during freshwater fish sampling are lacking. To improve the available knowledge base concerning the bycatch of turtles during fish sampling, we characterize the dynamics of western painted turtle Chrysemys picta bellii bycatch in unbaited modified fyke nets used in fish population sampling in northeastern South Dakota. We collected data from June to September during fish population assessments in 39 lakes and nine impoundments between 2007 and 2012. We characterize western painted turtle bycatch relating to water type (lake and impoundment) including catch rates (number of turtles/net night), size structure, and sex ratio. Catch rates were higher in impoundments than lakes. Total mean annual catch rates ranged from 1.07 to 3.28 for lakes and from 0.70 to 6.63 for impoundments and the variation among years was significant for both water types. We observed no annual variation in water surface area or mean depth, precluding either from explaining the variation in annual catch rates. We observed a significant relationship between mean depth and catch rate for lakes, but not impoundments. We observed no significant relationship relating surface area to catch rate for lakes or impoundments. Catch rates differed significantly from June to September for lakes but not impoundments. Annual variation in catch rates was best explained by the previous winter precipitation for both water types. The sex ratio was skewed toward males and differed significantly from June to September for lakes but not impoundments. The size structure was skewed toward large turtles. Understanding bycatch dynamics during fish population assessments is a critical first step to understanding the impact of biological sampling on nontarget species and may prove useful in minimizing future bycatch of western painted turtles.
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Pace, Cinnamon M., Richard W. Blob, and Mark W. Westneat. "Comparative kinematics of the forelimb during swimming in red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta) and spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera) turtles." Journal of Experimental Biology 204, no. 19 (October 1, 2001): 3261–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.204.19.3261.
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SUMMARYSoftshell turtles (Family Trionychidae) possess extensive webbing between the digits of the manus, suggesting that the forelimb may serve as an effective thrust generator during aquatic locomotion. However, the hindlimb has previously been viewed as the dominant propulsive organ in swimming freshwater turtles. To evaluate the potential role of the forelimb in thrust production during swimming in freshwater turtles, we compared the forelimb morphology and three-dimensional forelimb kinematics of a highly aquatic trionychid turtle, the spiny softshell Apalone spinifera, and a morphologically generalized emydid turtle, the red-eared slider Trachemys scripta. Spiny softshells possess nearly twice as much forelimb surface area as sliders for generating drag-based thrust. In addition, although both species use drag-based propulsion, several aspects of forelimb kinematics differ significantly between these species. During the thrust phase of the forelimb cycle, spiny softshells hold the elbow and wrist joints significantly straighter than sliders, thereby further increasing the surface area of the limb that can move water posteriorly and increasing the velocity of the distal portion of the forelimb. These aspects of swimming kinematics in softshells should increase forelimb thrust production and suggest that the forelimbs make more substantial contributions to forward thrust in softshell turtles than in sliders. Spiny softshells also restrict forelimb movements to a much narrower dorsoventral and anteroposterior range than sliders throughout the stroke, thereby helping to minimize limb movements potentially extraneous to forward thrust production. These comparisons demonstrate considerable diversity in the forelimb kinematics of turtles that swim using rowing motions of the limbs and suggest that the evolution of turtle forelimb mechanics produced a variety of contrasting solutions for aquatic specialization.
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Glorioso, Brad M., Lindy J. Muse, Cory J. Hillard, Brittany R. Maldonado, Jared Streeter, Charles D. Battaglia, and J. Hardin Waddle. "A Trapping Survey Targeting Head-Started Alligator Snapping Turtles in Southwest Louisiana." Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 11, no. 2 (August 20, 2020): 572–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.3996/jfwm-20-009.
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Abstract The alligator snapping turtle Macrochelys temminckii is the largest freshwater turtle in North America and humans seek it as a food source, primarily in Louisiana. Scientists point to decades of intensive commercial harvest of alligator snapping turtles as a cause of population declines. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries initiated a head-start program for alligator snapping turtles and released 53 head-started juveniles at seven sites along an approximately 5.7-km stretch of Bundick Creek in southwest Louisiana between November 2015 and October 2016. Before release, department personnel measured, weighed, and marked all alligator snapping turtles with both an internal passive integrated transponder tag and a numbered external tag. In 2018, the U.S. Geological Survey initiated a turtle trapping survey at those seven release sites targeting the head-started alligator snapping turtles. In 1 wk of trapping effort at each site, we recorded 69 turtle captures comprising seven species, including 15 alligator snapping turtles (representing 12 individuals). Of those 12 individuals, 8 were head-started juveniles and 4 were native to the creek. A landowner captured an additional head-started juvenile alligator snapping turtle during our trapping and we took measurements before its release. A minimum of 17% of head-started alligator snapping turtles survived since release, and we trapped most captured head-started individuals near their release site; the captured individuals exhibited growth consistent with other studies, indicating acclimatization to their new environment. Three head-started alligator snapping turtles had their external tags entangled in the net mesh, and two of these turtles drowned. An additional two head-started individuals lost their external tags in the natural environment prior to their capture in this study. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries discontinued the use of external tags based on our findings, as these tags were detrimental to the health of head-started turtles.
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Fyson, Vincent K., and Gabriel Blouin-Demers. "Effects of landscape composition on wetland occupancy by Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) as determined by environmental DNA and visual surveys." Canadian Journal of Zoology 99, no. 8 (August 2021): 672–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2021-0004.
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Habitat loss and degradation have led to the extinction of many species worldwide. The endangered Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii (Holbrook, 1838)), a semi-aquatic freshwater turtle, occupies a wide range of wetlands and landscapes primarily in southeastern Canada and the Great Lakes region of the United States. We explored whether the probability of wetland occupancy by Blanding’s Turtles is affected by the surrounding landscape. We used visual surveys, environmental DNA, and Atlas data to document the presence of Blanding’s Turtles in wetlands in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. We tabulated landscape composition at multiple scales surrounding the wetlands to determine whether landscape composition can predict wetland occupancy. Generally, wetlands surrounded by forest and other undisturbed lands were most likely to harbour Blanding’s Turtles, whereas those surrounded by more human-disturbed lands were least likely to harbour Blanding’s Turtles. Larger wetlands and a high proportion of wetlands in the surrounding landscape also increased the probability of occupancy by Blanding’s Turtles. Finally, older wetlands were more likely to be occupied by Blanding’s Turtles. The ability to estimate a species’ probability of occupancy can aid in conservation efforts, such as critical habitat delineation.
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Damsgaard, Christian, Jay F. Storz, Federico G. Hoffmann, and Angela Fago. "Hemoglobin isoform differentiation and allosteric regulation of oxygen binding in the turtle, Trachemys scripta." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 305, no. 8 (October 15, 2013): R961—R967. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00284.2013.
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When freshwater turtles acclimatize to winter hibernation, there is a gradual transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism, which may require adjustments of blood O2 transport before turtles become anoxic. Here, we report the effects of protons, anionic cofactors, and temperature on the O2-binding properties of isolated hemoglobin (Hb) isoforms, HbA and HbD, in the turtle Trachemys scripta. We determined the primary structures of the constituent subunits of the two Hb isoforms, and we related the measured functional properties to differences in O2 affinity between untreated hemolysates from turtles that were acclimated to normoxia and anoxia. Our data show that HbD has a consistently higher O2 affinity compared with HbA, whereas Bohr and temperature effects, as well as thiol reactivity, are similar. Although sequence data show amino acid substitutions at two known β-chain ATP-binding site positions, we find high ATP affinities for both Hb isoforms, suggesting an alternative and stronger binding site for ATP. The high ATP affinities indicate that, although ATP levels decrease in red blood cells of turtles acclimating to anoxia, the O2 affinity would remain largely unchanged, as confirmed by O2-binding measurements of untreated hemolysates from normoxic and anoxic turtles. Thus, the increase in blood-O2 affinity that accompanies winter acclimation is mainly attributable to a decrease in temperature rather than in concentrations of organic phosphates. This is the first extensive study on freshwater turtle Hb isoforms, providing molecular evidence for adaptive changes in O2 transport associated with acclimation to severe hypoxia.
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Madsen, Jesper G., Tobias Wang, Kristian Beedholm, and Peter T. Madsen. "Detecting spring after a long winter: coma or slow vigilance in cold, hypoxic turtles?" Biology Letters 9, no. 6 (December 23, 2013): 20130602. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0602.
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Many freshwater turtle species can spend the winter submerged in ice-covered lakes by lowering their metabolism, and it has been proposed that such severe metabolic depression render these turtles comatose. This raises the question of how they can detect the arrival of spring and respond in a sensible way to sensory information during hibernation. Using evoked potentials from cold or hypoxic turtles exposed to vibration and light, we show that hibernating turtles maintain neural responsiveness to light stimuli during prolonged hypoxia. Furthermore, turtles held under hibernation conditions for 14 days increase their activity when exposed to light or elevated temperatures, but not to vibration or increased oxygen. It is concluded that hibernating turtles are not comatose, but remain vigilant during overwintering in cold hypoxia, allowing them to respond to the coming of spring and to adjust their behaviour to specific sensory inputs.
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Georges, Arthur, Erika Alacs, Matthew Pauza, Felix Kinginapi, Amos Ona, and Carla Eisemberg. "Freshwater turtles of the Kikori Drainage, Papua New Guinea, with special reference to the pig-nosed turtle, Carettochelys insculpta." Wildlife Research 35, no. 7 (2008): 700. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr07120.
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A survey of the Kikori River drainage of the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea identified four species of freshwater turtle. The pig-nosed turtle Carettochelys insculpta and the southern New Guinea soft-shelled turtle Pelochelys bibroni are riverine species. The New Guinea spotted turtle Elseya novaeguineae lives primarily in the tidal freshwater creeks and streams, flooded sinkholes and swamps of the lowland rainforest. The New Guinea painted turtle Emydura subglobosa resides almost exclusively in forest sinkholes and swamps. Pelochelys bibroni was the least-common species, and is probably locally endangered. Greatest turtle diversity occurred in the Karst Plains of the Kikori sub-basin, where there is a greater diversity of habitat available to turtles. Lowest diversity occurred in the highlands, where turtles were present in very low density as introduced populations, brought in from the Kikori lowlands, Mount Bosavi and the Western Province by visiting relatives. Linguistic diversity concurred with turtle diversity of the regions in which the languages were spoken. C. insculpta nests both on riverine sand beaches and on coastal beaches, sand spits and isolated sand bars where the Kikori River discharges into the Gulf of Papua. Adult females and eggs of C. insculpta are harvested heavily by local people for local consumption.
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Iverson, John B. "Patterns of survivorship in turtles (order Testudines)." Canadian Journal of Zoology 69, no. 2 (February 1, 1991): 385–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z91-060.
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Survivorship data by general age-class are reviewed for 30 species of turtles representing nine families. Survivorship varies significantly across age-classes, with mortality generally inversely related to age (type III survivorship). Survivorship also varies significantly across habitat types, with marine and terrestrial turtles exhibiting higher survivorship early in life than freshwater turtles. Marine turtles also tend to have the lowest survivorship as adults. The implications of these findings for the evolution of marine and terrestrial turtles form ancestral freshwater forms are discussed.
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Erdélyi, Gergő, Borbála Szabó, and István Kiss. "Basking Site Selection and Usage Strategies of the European Pond Turtle, Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) in Babat valley (Gödöllő, Hungary)." Russian Journal of Herpetology 28, no. 4 (September 1, 2021): 175–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2021-28-4-175-184.
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Sun basking is the most common method for freshwater turtles, such as the European pond turtle, to maintain optimal body temperature. The attributes of the macro- and microhabitat features around the basking sites affect the basking site selection of the European pond turtle. To protect the European pond turtle, it is important to know the basking habits among the biological characteristics of the species, along with the effects of the habitat characteristics and the choice of the type of basking sites. The purpose of our research was to detect the effects of macro- and microhabitat features on the selection of basking sites. We wanted to determine basking site type selection according to the carapace length classes and if there is any difference in the choice of basking trunks and branches with different thicknesses. Turtles choose basking sites with less closed vegetation in their environment. We have detected seasonal differences in the microhabitat features. The closing reed and Typha sp. had a negative effect on the number of observed basking turtles. The most popular type of basking sites in the pond system was the commonly occurred fallen tree trunks and branches in the water, regardless of turtle body size. Most turtles used thinner tree trunks and branches for basking. In the meantime, we found differences in the choice of basking trunks between the turtles with different body sizes. Younger turtles with smaller bodies appeared in larger numbers on emergent branches with smaller diameters.
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Buchanan, Scott W., Jason J. Kolbe, Johanna E. Wegener, Jessica R. Atutubo, and Nancy E. Karraker. "A Comparison of the Population Genetic Structure and Diversity between a Common (Chrysemys p. picta) and an Endangered (Clemmys guttata) Freshwater Turtle." Diversity 11, no. 7 (June 26, 2019): 99. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d11070099.
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The northeastern United States has experienced dramatic alteration to its landscape since the time of European settlement. This alteration has had major impacts on the distribution and abundance of wildlife populations, but the legacy of this landscape change remains largely unexplored for most species of freshwater turtles. We used microsatellite markers to characterize and compare the population genetic structure and diversity between an abundant generalist, the eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys p. picta), and the rare, more specialized, spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) in Rhode Island, USA. We predicted that because spotted turtles have disproportionately experienced the detrimental effects of habitat loss and fragmentation associated with landscape change, that these effects would manifest in the form of higher inbreeding, less diversity, and greater population genetic structure compared to eastern painted turtles. As expected, eastern painted turtles exhibited little population genetic structure, showed no evidence of inbreeding, and little differentiation among sampling sites. For spotted turtles, however, results were consistent with certain predictions and inconsistent with others. We found evidence of modest inbreeding, as well as tentative evidence of recent population declines. However, genetic diversity and differentiation among sites were comparable between species. As our results do not suggest any major signals of genetic degradation in spotted turtles, the southern region of Rhode Island may serve as a regional conservation reserve network, where the maintenance of population viability and connectivity should be prioritized.
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Myers, Andrew T., and James P. Gibbs. "Landscape-level Factors Influencing Bog Turtle Persistence and Distribution in Southeastern New York State." Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 4, no. 2 (April 1, 2013): 255–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.3996/052012-jfwm-044.
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Abstract The bog turtle Glyptemys muhlenbergii is a highly endangered species inhabiting freshwater wetlands of the eastern United States. Habitat degradation is considered one of the chief causes of bog turtle declines. Most of the studies investigating habitat requirements of bog turtles focus on intrawetland influences on bog turtle habitat, but few have explored landscape-level drivers of bog turtle distribution. To better understand causes of bog turtle declines, we combined bog turtle occurrence records with geographic data to contrast 12 landscape variables among wetlands containing extant populations of bog turtles (n = 65) and 500 nearby and 500 distant, randomly located wetlands in southeastern New York State. In contrast to randomly chosen wetlands, bog turtles have persisted in relatively large, open-canopy wetlands (typically >0.42 ha) within large watersheds (typically >13.54 ha), in wetlands with more numerous stream connections, and more often in wetlands positioned atop carbonaceous rock types. Wetlands occurring within carbonaceous surficial geological settings may be more resistant to bog turtle habitat degradation and hence likely to support more persistent populations of bog turtles. Our findings that geomorphic features and intrawetland vegetation are the most useful predictors of bog turtle occurrence and persistence in southeastern New York State are important for generating more detailed hypotheses regarding drivers of bog turtle declines and are also helpful for prioritizing sites for bog turtle conservation and guiding surveys to discover new populations.
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Das, Indraneil. "The trade in freshwater turtles from Bangladesh." Oryx 24, no. 3 (July 1990): 163–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0030605300033895.
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There are at least 25 species of turtles and tortoises in Bangladesh, with freshwater turtles being particularly abundant. Although these turtles form part of the diet for only a minority of people in the country, they are being exported in increasingly large numbers and this trade could now be threatening this valuable resource.
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Lutz, P. L., and S. L. Leone-Kabler. "Upregulation of the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor during anoxia in the freshwater turtle brain." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 268, no. 5 (May 1, 1995): R1332—R1335. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.1995.268.5.r1332.
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The freshwater turtle brain survives anoxia by decreasing its energy expenditure. During this anoxic period there is a sustained release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This study investigated whether there was a corresponding change in the binding properties of the GABAA/benzodiazepine (GABA/BDZ) receptor. Turtles (Trachemys scripta) were subjected to a 100% N2 atmosphere for up to 24 h. After exposure, the cerebral cortex was dissected out, and saturation binding assays for GABA/BDZ receptors were performed using the radioligand [3H]flunitrazepam. Control turtles had a dissociation constant (Kd) of 1.97 +/- 0.54 nM and a receptor density (Bmax) of 2,404 +/- 221 fmol/mg protein. The Kd showed no significant change over 24 h of anoxia. However, significant increases were seen in Bmax after 12 h (21%, P < 0.05) and 24 h (29%, P < 0.01) of anoxia. We suggest that a long-term upregulation of GABAA receptors occurs in the anoxic turtle brain that acts to increase the inhibitory effectiveness of the released GABA and thereby contributes to anoxia survival of the turtle.
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Bárcenas-García, Andrea, Fernanda Michalski, William H. Morgan, Rebecca K. Smith, William J. Sutherland, James P. Gibbs, and Darren Norris. "Impacts of Dams on Freshwater Turtles: A Global Review to Identify Conservation Solutions." Tropical Conservation Science 15 (January 2022): 194008292211037. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/19400829221103709.
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Background and Research Aims Dams impact freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. Freshwater turtles are at direct and indirect risk due to changes caused by damming including the loss of terrestrial and aquatic nesting habitats, changes to food availability, and blocking movement. Effective management of these impacts requires robust evidence in order to gain an understanding of conservation solutions that work. Methods We reviewed the global scientific literature that evaluated the impact of dams on freshwater turtles, and carried out additional searches of literature published in seventeen languages for studies evaluating actions to mitigate dam impacts. Results The search produced 47 published articles documenting dam impacts on 30 freshwater turtle species from seven families (Chelidae, Chelydridae, Emydidae, Geoemydidae, Kinosternidae, Podocnemididae, and Trionychidae) in 13 countries. Few studies were found from Europe and Asia and none from Africa. Most studies were from temperate latitudes, where studies focused more on adults and less threatened species compared with tropical latitudes. More than half of the studies (57%, n = 27) suggested actions to help mitigate dam impacts. Yet, only five studies (three temperate and two tropical) documented the effect of interventions (dam removal, flow management, artificial pond maintenance and community-based action). Conclusion These findings demonstrate a serious lack of documented evidence evaluating mitigation actions for dam impacts on freshwater turtles. Implications for Conservation This lack of evidence reinforces the importance of strengthening and maintaining robust long-term studies needed to develop effective and adaptive conservation actions for this group of threatened vertebrates particularly in tropical regions.
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Girondot, Marc, Chloé Archinard, Anne-Caroline Prévot-Julliard, Antoine Cadi, and Emeline Gousset. "Pets and invasion risks: is the Slider turtle strictly carnivorous?" Amphibia-Reptilia 28, no. 1 (2007): 139–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853807779799036.
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AbstractAccording to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), invasive species are one of the most important causes of biodiversity decline at a global scale. The impact of introduced species on local ecosystems is thus important to evaluate. Pet voluntary introductions are made by private people and usually concern only one or two individuals per occasion. However, the number of release occasions is as numerous as the number of pet owners that don't want to keep their pet anymore and then decide to "release" it. Hatchling red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) have been massively exported from the United States to European (until 1997) and Asian countries to be sold as pets. Many owners, ignoring the potential consequences of their act, have released their grown up turtle in natural freshwater ecosystems. As a consequence, feral adult turtles have been detected all over France. In this paper, we provide information that contradicts public opinion that introduced slider turtle is strictly carnivorous. By analysing the diet of feral adult turtles, we found that adult slider turtles are omnivorous, as in their natural areas.
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Patson, Courtney N., Erin M. Lemley, Eric W. Smalley, Grayson A. Doss, and Christoph Mans. "Successful outcome of shell fractures in freshwater turtles treated with plate or screws and wire fixation techniques: 51 cases (2014–2019)." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 260, no. 7 (January 21, 2022): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.2460/javma.21.09.0430.
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Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the outcome of surgical fixation of shell fractures in rehabilitated wild freshwater turtles. ANIMALS 51 freshwater turtles with 86 shell fractures. PROCEDURES The medical record database of a wildlife rehabilitation center in Wisconsin was searched from 2014 through 2019 for records of freshwater turtles with shell fractures repaired with a plate technique, screws and wire technique, or both. Signalment, fracture location, therapeutic approach (including the type of hardware used for repair), dry-docking duration, time to hardware removal, postremoval care, and outcome were evaluated. RESULTS 36 of 51 (71%) turtles with shell fractures experienced successful fracture healing following surgical hardware fixation, and 33 (65%) were released. Shells of 38 (75%) turtles were repaired with plates only, 5 (10%) turtles with wire only, and 8 (16%) turtles with a combination of plates and screws and wires. Of the 51 turtles, 13 (25%) did not survive > 4 weeks following hardware repair, leaving 38 animals available to assess fracture healing. Median time to start staged removal was 42 days (range, 35 to 49 days) and to complete removal of the applied hardware was 56 days (range, 26 to 77 days). Complications associated with placement of the hardware occurred in 6 of 38 (16%) turtles. Complications included screw hole infection (4/38 [11%]), fracture necrosis (1/38 [3%]), and deep screw hole penetration (1/38 [3%]). CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that shell fractures in freshwater turtles treated with surgical fixation techniques had a successful outcome. Most complications were minor, and fractures improved with time, resulting in acceptable fracture healing for release.
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Palumbo, E., M. R. Werneck, and J. I. Diaz. "Is Amphiorchis (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) an exclusive parasite of sea turtles?" Helminthologia 56, no. 1 (March 1, 2019): 75–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/helm-2018-0045.
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SummaryThe side-necked turtle Hydromedusa tectifera commonly inhabits the tributary streams of the Rio de La Plata and occasionally is found in brackish waters within the estuary of the Rio de La Plata. Few studies have been conducted on its parasitic fauna, especially in Argentina. In the present work Amphiorchis sp. is registered for the first time in a freshwater turtle, expanding the knowledge about the specificity of the genus that until now was considered inhabiting only marine turtles.
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Demkowska-Kutrzepa, Marta, Maria Studzińska, Monika Roczeń-Karczmarz, Krzysztof Tomczuk, Zahrai Abbas, and Paweł Różański. "A review of the helminths co-introduced with Trachemys scripta elegans – a threat to European native turtle health." Amphibia-Reptilia 39, no. 2 (2018): 177–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/15685381-17000159.
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Abstract In the 20th century large numbers of exotic turtles Trachemys scripta elegans have been imported into Europe as pets and this has led to frequent introductions into many freshwater ecosystems. Nowadays, established populations of red-eared slider, coexist and compete with the native in Europe species of turtles in the wild. Invasive turtles are a threat to indigenous species because of carriage of many parasites, which are often considered to cause disease emergence and produce high mortality in native hosts. Helminths are the most prominent group introduced with T. s. elegans and due to their host-switching ability have become important co-invaders, a potential threat to indigenous turtle health. The aim of this review was to assess the risks of the transfer of helminths co-introduced with T. s. elegans to native species of European turtles.
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Kharel, Milan, and Damodar Thapa Chhetry. "Description on some rescued turtles and their translocation at Turtle Rescue and Conservation Centre (TRCC), Sanischare, Jhapa." BIBECHANA 11 (May 10, 2014): 141–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v11i0.10394.
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The present paper deals with the brief introduction of Turtle Rescue and Conservation Centre (TRCC) and description of some rescued turtles. Nine specimens of turtles belonging to five genera were rescued and translocated to the centre till date including 9.3 kg male Indian Peacock soft-shelled turtle (Nilssonia hurum) for the first time from Jhapa district. The rescue operations were conducted for the translocation of turtles confiscated from the local market, censorial collectors, fisherman and public residence. The high resolution photographs of captured specimens, their necessary biometry and GPS coordinates of location were taken. Species identification was done with the help of and pictorial field guide and relevant literatures. Climatic data of study area were recorded from Gainde Irrigation Project, Maidhar, Jhapa. Interviews were taken during field visits with the help of structured questionnaire. Preliminary rescue data showed that the Indian flap-shelled turtle (Lissemys punctata) and Yellow bellied roofed turtle (Pangshura flaviventer) were the most overexploited species in the vicinities of the study area. The climatic condition of the rescue centre and water quality found suitable to support terrestrial and freshwater turtles and other various wetland flora and fauna. However, the rapid population growth and habitat destruction due to deforestation, unmanaged urbanization and expansion of agricultural land are found as the major threats to the survival of turtles and other wetland creatures at the study area and its vicinities. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v11i0.10394 BIBECHANA 11(1) (2014) 141-148
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Rosser, Michael F. "Clinical Pathology of Freshwater Turtles." Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice 25, no. 3 (September 2022): 785–804. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2022.05.005.
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Georges, Reviewed by Arthur. "Freshwater Turtles of Australia (2017)." Australian Journal of Zoology 66, no. 1 (2018): 84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo17068.
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Al-Asif, Abdulla. "A ray of hope in the darkness: What we have learned from Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle Rafetus swinhoei (Gray, 1873) conservation?" Asian Journal of Conservation Biology 11, no. 2 (2022): 167–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.53562/ajcb.en00022.
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The Swinhoe's softshell turtle, Rafetus swinhoei (Gray, 1873),) is one of the world's largest freshwater turtles, and possibly the most endangered turtle species on the planet (Stanford et al., 2018). It has an overall length of over 100 cm and a width of up to 70 cm, and it can easily weigh up to 70–100 kg, maximum weight was recorded at 169 kg (Solimine, 2013; Trong, 2018).
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Northmore, D. P. M., and A. M. Granda. "Ocular dimensions and schematic eyes of freshwater and sea turtles." Visual Neuroscience 7, no. 6 (December 1991): 627–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0952523800010415.
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AbstractMeasurements were made of the ocular dimensions from living and frozen eyes of one species of freshwater turtle, Pseudemys scripta elegans, and of three species of marine turtles, Chelonia mydas, Dermochelys cariacea, and Eretmochelys imbricata. Estimates of refractive error by retinoscopy were also obtained with eyes in air and under water. The results suggest that unaccommodated eyes of all four species are approximately emmetropic in air but strongly hyperopic in water. Schematic eyes were calculated for each species in both air and water.