Coahuilan box turtle

Coahuilan box turtle
Coahuilan box turtle (Terrapene coahuila) at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Emydidae
Genus: Terrapene
Species: T. coahuila
Binomial name
Terrapene coahuila
Schmidt & Owens, 1944
Synonyms[1]
  • Terrapene coahuila
    Schmidt & Owens, 1944
  • Terrapene ornata coahuila
    Mertens & Wermuth, 1955
  • Terrapene coahuilae
    Milstead, 1960 (ex errore)
  • Terrapene coahulia
    Milstead, 1969 (ex errore)
  • Terapene coahuila
    Nietzke, 1973
  • Terrepene coahuila
    Morafka, 1977
  • Terrepene coahuilae
    Morafka, 1977
  • Terrapene cohauila Ferri, 2002
    (ex errore)

The Coahuilan box turtle (Terrapene coahuila), or aquatic box turtle, is an endangered species of turtle in the Emydidae family. Unlike the other members of the genus Terrapene, this turtle spends roughly 90% of its time in water.[2]

It is a close relative to the common box turtle (T. carolina). Researchers have therefore suggested that it developed from a nonaquatic species in order to survive in the desert springs of Cuatro Ciénegas.[2]

Geographic range

It is endemic to the vicinity of Cuatro Ciénegas in Coahuila, Mexico.[3] Within an area of less than 800 km² (300 sq mi), there are several distinct pockets of this species. During the rainy season, Coahuilan box turtles may leave their home range and travel throughout the desert.[2]

Habitat

It is associated with marshes and springs, and is the only aquatic species within its genus.[2] It is typically encountered among tall grass and brush in marshy areas, and prefers shallow water with dense vegetation (such as Chara spp., Eleocharis rostellata, and Scirpus olneyi ) and a muddy bottom.[3] By digging down into the mud, the turtle can cool itself.

Description

The body is adapted for spending long periods of time in the water, and the shell is often covered in algae. Just like any other box turtle, it has a hinged shell that can be completely closed. The skin is dark, usually dark brown and dark gray, but some areas can appear completely black.[2]

Diet

This is an opportunistic feeder that will devour both plants and other animals. It will for instance eat fly larvae, dragonfly nymphs, beetles, true bugs, reptiles, fish, crayfish, and plant matter (such as Eleocharis spp.) in the wild.[3]

Reproduction

Mating takes place in shallow water from September to June, and eggs are laid from May to September. The eggs are laid in small clutches, typically consisting of just 2-3 eggs per clutch.[2]

References

  1. Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter. (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 200. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-17. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Berg, William. "Aquatic or Coahuilan Box Turtle – Terrapene coahuila". Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 Brown WS. (1974). "Ecology of the aquatic box turtle Terrapene coahuila (Chelonia, Emydidae), with comments on its evolutionary status". Bulletin of the Florida State Museum. 19: 1–67.

Further reading

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