Graptemys pearlensis Ennen, Lovich, Kreiser, Selman, and Qualls 2010 – Pearl River Map Turtle
Edited by: A. G. J. Rhodin, P. C. H. Pritchard, P. P. van Dijk, Raymond A. Saumure, K.A. Buhlmann, J. B. Iverson, and R.A. Mittermeier
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Abstract
The Pearl River Map Turtle, Graptemys pearlensis (Family Emydidae), is a moderate-sized aquatic turtle endemic to the Pearl River drainage of Louisiana and Mississippi. This taxon has long been a cryptic species, as it was considered part of G. pulchra before 1992 and part of G. gibbonsi until 2010. Graptemys pearlensis exhibits sexual dimorphism, with adult females being considerably larger (carapace length to 295 mm) than adult males (CL to 121 mm). In the 1960s and 1970s, the species was commonly found in higher abundance than the sympatric G. oculifera, a federally listed species. However, due to habitat degradation and the precipitous decline of native mollusks, the species is now found in lower numbers than G. oculifera throughout much of its range. The current IUCN Red List status is Endangered; however, very little is known about the natural history and ecology of the species, which will make conservation efforts challenging.
| Publication type | Book chapter |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Book Chapter |
| Title | Graptemys pearlensis Ennen, Lovich, Kreiser, Selman, and Qualls 2010 – Pearl River Map Turtle |
| DOI | 10.3854/crm.5.094.pearlensis.v1.2016 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Year Published | 2016 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Chelonian Research Foundation |
| Contributing office(s) | Southwest Biological Science Center |
| Description | 8 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Monograph |
| Larger Work Title | Conservation biology of freshwater turtles and tortoises: A compilation project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group |
| First page | 1 |
| Last page | 8 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |