Twist-necked turtle

Twist-necked turtle
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Pleurodira
Family: Chelidae
Subfamily: Chelidinae
Genus: Platemys
Species: P. platycephala
Binomial name
Platemys platycephala

The Twist-necked turtle, Platemys platycephala, also known as the flat-headed turtle is distributed widely across northern South America. Twist-necked turtles have extremely flat shells that help them hide from predators under rocks and debris. When threatened, this turtle withdraws by twisting its head into its shell. Platemys platycephala or the twist-necked turtle is the only species of the genus Platemys and occurs in northern and central South America. Platemys platycephala means “flat turtle, flat-head” and accurately describes the structure of the head and shell. This species inhabits shallow creek beds and frequently forages on the floor of the Amazon rainforest for insects, amphibians, and mollusks. Camouflage, head and body shape, and advanced sexual anatomy allow this species of turtle to effectively populate much of South America. Mating occurs during rainy months (March–December) and egg deposit occurs during dry months (January–March). Males have been known to behave aggressively towards females during copulation by squirting water from nostrils and biting. A few genomic studies show mosaicism exists among populations of the twist-necked turtle in Surinam- a country in northern South America. In other words, diploid and triploid levels exist within and among individuals at this particular location. No threats have been reported for this species and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) does not have a current listing. Lack of consumption due to the species' small size and inability to reproduce in captivity help explain why scientists are not concerned about this turtle species.

Contents

Diagnosis

The twist-necked turtle now represents the only species of Platemys and can be distinguished from close relatives (Acanthochelys) by its doubly flat body plan, both a flattened shell and a flattened head. Also, this turtle displays an unusual dual grooved pattern on the carapace. Platemys platycephala inhabits a wide range compared to other Acanthochelys turtles, see distribution. Two subspecies, Platemys platycephala platycephala and Platemys platycephala melanonota exist based on color pattern, see subspecies distribution. Camouflage is highly useful for the twist-necked turtle because it inhabits shallow pools and creek beds. The orange and brown head pattern make it difficult to spot from above because of similarly colored leaf litter among small pools and creek beds. Other distinctions include a hook at the base of the foot for copulation in males and an specialized opening at the base of the plastron for oviposition (egg deposit).

Description

Platemys platycephala is a medium-sized turtle ranging from 14–18 cm in shell length.[2] Females are slightly smaller on average with shorter tails. The carapace (top portion of the shell) is elliptical and flattened with two raised portions (keels) forming a trough (depression). The carapace is orange to yellow-brown and black in various amounts depending on subspecies.[2] The plastron (lower portion of the shell) is dark brown or black in color while the bridge (side portion of the shell) is yellow with a black bar across. The consistency of these bars also depends on subspecies. Face and neck patterns consist of orange or yellow-brown dorsal stripes and black ventral and lateral stripes. The head is small, triangular, smooth, and undivided. The neck has some conical tubercles- rounded projection and scales that protect against predator attack. Platemys platycephala is a member of Pleurodira- a suborder of turtle. These turtles withdraw their head into their shell by bending their necks sideways instead of straight back like Cryptodira. The snout projects slightly and the irises are brown. Black limbs consist of large anterior scales while the tail is short and black. Intermediate webbing exists on both anterior and posterior limbs because this turtle moves in water and on land.[3]

Genetics

A few interesting genetics studies exist for the twist-necked turtle (Platemys platycephala). Bickham et al. (1993) performed a small-scale cytological survey on the ploidy levels (number of sets of chromosomes) for somatic and gametic cells on a few specimens in Suriname.[4] The authors examined multiple tissues (spleen, liver, blood, testis) of six specimens (five males, one female) and found cells contained various ploidy levels within and among individuals. One male individual even consisted of triploid-tetraploid cells. More genetic variation was found with respect to diploid (2n) to triploid (3n) ratio occurred among individuals than within individuals. Also, diploid cells exclusively participated in meiosis and subsequent sexual reproduction for males so balanced gametes and normal fertility occurred.

This is a rare event because of the limited viable polyploid individuals that occur in natural vertebrate populations. The lizard genus Lacerta and fish genus Phoxinus are the only other known examples of diploid-triploid mosaicism.[5][6] Additionally, Platemys platycephala contains several combinations of ploidy level (x n) in various cell or tissue types. This phenomenon is known as mosaicism or chimerism. In a follow-up study Bickham & Hanks (2009) performed cytogenic analysis of the twist-necked turtle to determine how widespread this process is throughout South America and discovered normal diploid populations exist in Bolivia while variable mosaic populations persist in Suriname. Additionally, Darr et al. (2006) found turtle populations from French Guiana had increased triploid frequency compared to both Bolivia and Suriname.[7] Several hypotheses were tested using phylogenetic data from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), but a high level of divergence was found for the three monophyletic populations.

Distribution

The twist-necked turtle inhabits a large area throughout northern and central South America, from the southern Orinoco drainage in Venezuela to the Amazon basin in Brazil). However, Platemys platycephala, does not inhabit large rivers but instead prefers shallow creeks and forest floors.[8]

Ernst (1983) surveyed the extensive geographical range of the twist-necked turtle and determined the presence of a dark subspecies in the western range of Platemys platycephala. The author uses the "Quaternary forest refuge theory" to explain the existence of this subspecies. The theory is based on significant climatic changes occurring in and around the equator during the Quaternary period. During these climatic changes of glaciation the northern rainforests of South America received less rainfall and deteriorated then subsequently expanded during interglaciation. This change caused allopatric speciation to occur among many species and gave rise to a new subspecies- Platemys platycephala melanonota.[9]

Subspecies

Two subspecies exist for the twist-necked turtle- Platemys platycephala platycephala and Platemys platycephala melanonota. P. p. platycephala inhabits most of the central and eastern territory (Brazil, Guianas, Venezuela, Suriname) while P. p. melanonata inhabits the western territory (Peru, Ecuador). The chief distinction between these subspecies is the carapace coloration. P. p. melanonata, (western twist-necked turtle or black-backed twist-necked turtle), has an entirely dark brown or black top shell. These subspecies interbreed in Bolivia and various river drainages (Río Madre de Dios, Río Mamoré and Ucayali) frequently forming variations in shell pattern.

Ecology

The coloration and shape of the carapace, head, and feet help conceal this species of turtle from Amazon predator species. Naturally, twist-necked individuals prefer amphibian eggs and consume various insects, mollusks (snails and slugs), amphibians, and some plant life through terrestrial and aquatic foraging. In captivity, specimens can flourish on reptile food, veggies, insects, worms and even fish. Platemys platycephala are likely to be found in shallow pools and can inhabit dry areas for long periods of time. Fretey (1975) states several individuals can even become heavily parasitized by leeches (81 suckers found on one turtle) during the dormant dry season and suffer accordingly.[10]

Life History

Platemys platycephala young or hatchlings typically resemble parents except for brighter coloration. Twist-necked hatchlings measure around 4–6 cm in carapace length and about 20 g or 0.04 lbs. Mating typically occurs during the rainy season of the Amazon rainforest (late March to early December). Males follow females, mount from behind, then proceed to rub their chin barbels (fleshy filament) against the top of females’ head. Some authors also report violent biting and water expulsion from the males nostrils during copulation.[11] Coupling has been observed on land or in water and usually occurs late in the afternoon or at night. Oviposition comes during the dry season (late December to early March) when the female deposits a large, oval egg (around 5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide). Many herpetologists report females depositing another egg a couple of weeks later while some recreational collectors report multiple eggs at a time. Shallow indentations are made to deposit eggs and then lightly covered by sand and/or leaf litter.

Conservation

No direct threats are evident for Platemys platycephala because human consumption is inefficient due to the small size of the turtle. Additionally, this turtle does not perform well in captivity so the pet market is minimal but some amateurs do try,.[12][13] France placed this species on its list of protected species for French Guiana and prohibits the capture of any specimens, for hunting, trading, etc. The IUCN Red List does not currently list this species. Additionally, the USGS reports a few twist-necked specimens were found on a southern Florida golf course but no impact is expected to occur.[14]

References

  1. ^ Rhodin, Anders G.J.; van Dijk, Peter Paul; Inverson, John B.; Shaffer, H. Bradley (2010-12-14). "Turtles of the world, 2010 update: Annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution and conservation status". Chelonian Research Monographs 5: 000.134. Archived from the original on 2010-12-15. http://www.webcitation.org/5uzfktoIh. 
  2. ^ a b Ernst, CH and Barbour, RW. Turtles of the World. Washington D.C., Smitsonian Institute, 1989. Print.
  3. ^ Pritchard, P. C. H. Encyclopedia of Turtles. New Jersey, TFH Pub. 1979. Print.
  4. ^ Bickham, JW, Hanks, BG, Hale DW, & Martin JE. 1993. Ploidy Diversity and the Reproduction of Balanced Gametes in Male Twist-Necked turtles (Platemys platycephala). Copeia, 3: 724-727.
  5. ^ Dawley, RM & Goddard, KA. 1988. Diploid-triploid Mosaics among Unisexual Hybrids of the Minnows Phoxinus-Eos and Phoxinus-Neogaeus. Copeia, 3: 650-660.
  6. ^ Kupritanova, L. 2009. Cytogenetic and Genome Trends in the Evolution of Lizards. Cytogenetic and Genome Research, 2-4: 273-279.
  7. ^ Darr, ER, Huebinger, RM, Williams, KS, & Bickham, JW. 2006. Ploidy Mosaicism and Molecular Differentiation among Populations of the South American Twist-necked Turtle Platemys platycephala. Ohio Journal of Science, 106: 46-47.
  8. ^ “Twist-necked Turtle.” Turtles of the World. NLBIF, n.d. Web, 31 March 2011.
  9. ^ Ernst, CH. 1983. Geographic variation in the neotropical turtle, Platemys pltycephala. 17 (4): 345-355.
  10. ^ Fretey, J. 1975. Les Cheloniens do Guaye francaise. C.R. Seances Soc. herp. in Bull. Soc. Zool. 100 (4): 674-675.
  11. ^ Bonin, F, Devaux, B, and Dupre, A. Turtles of the World. Baltimore, John Hopkins UP, 2006. Print.
  12. ^ “South American flat-headed turtle, Platemys platycephala.” Exotic Turtles. Mary Hopson, n.d. Web, 31 March 2011 http://www.turtlepuddle.org/exotics/platemys.html
  13. ^ “Twistneck.” Austins Turtle Page. ATP, n.d. Web, 31 March 2011. http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-twist.htm
  14. ^ “Platemys platycephala.” NAS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species. USGS, 2009. Web, 31 March 2011.