Yellow spotted mute turtle

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Yellow spotted mute turtle
Yellow-spotted mute turtle, Graptemys flavimaculata

Yellow-spotted mute turtle, Graptemys flavimaculata

Systematics
Order : Turtles (Testudinata)
Subordination : Halsberger tortoises (Cryptodira)
Family : New World pond turtles (Emydidae)
Subfamily : Deirochelyinae
Genre : Mute Tortoises ( Graptemys )
Type : Yellow spotted mute turtle
Scientific name
Graptemys flavimaculata
Cagle , 1954
Pascagoula river system, home to the yellow-spotted mute turtle

The yellow-spotted mute turtle ( Graptemys flavimaculata ) is a species of the mute turtle genus , which belongs to the New World pond turtle family, native to the US state of Mississippi .

Appearance

The yellow spotted mute turtle is a species of turtle that is strongly attached to the water. Adult females have a carapace length of 14.8 to 18 centimeters. The males stay much smaller. When fully grown, they have a carapace length of 6.7 to 11 centimeters. The turtles have a small head. The back armor is olive to light brown. The individual horn shields have a bright yellow or orange-colored spot. The belly armor is creamy white and has a black pattern of spots on the edges. These spots of color disappear with age.

The legs, neck, tail and head are olive colored with yellow stripes. Many individuals have a yellow spot behind the eye.

distribution and habitat

Its distribution is limited to the river system of the Pascagoula River . It also occurs in its two main tributaries, the Leaf River and the Chickasawhay River . The main distribution area is the lower reaches of the Pascagoula River, where it is estimated that 336 individuals occur per mile. The Leaf River, Chickasawhay River and the upper reaches of the Pascagoula are much less densely populated. The number of individuals is estimated at about four per mile , according to estimates by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The populated areas have a sandy or loamy river bottom. The rivers flow slowly to moderately in the populated areas and are illuminated by the sun for several hours every day.

Way of life

The yellow-spotted mute turtle is a relatively little researched species of turtle. One only suspects that, similar to the other Graptemys species, the young animals reach sexual maturity between the ages of six and nine years. The females lay three to four clutches each year, which contain around five to seven eggs.

The yellow-spotted mute turtle primarily eats insect larvae and mussels. It is listed as endangered by both the UCN and the US Federal List.

proof

literature

  • R. Babour, C. Ernest: Turtles of the United States . Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky, 1989

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