Blanding's turtle

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Blanding's turtle
Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) (17812011862).jpg
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [3]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Superfamily: Testudinoidea
Family: Emydidae
Subfamily: Emydinae
Genus: Emydoidea
JE Gray, 1870
Species:
E. blandingii
Binomial name
Emydoidea blandingii
(Holbrook, 1838) [1] [4] [5]
Emys blandingii distribution.svg
The range of Blanding's turtle
Synonyms [5] [6] [7]

The Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) [1] [5] is a semi-aquatic turtle of the family Emydidae. This species is native to central and eastern parts of Canada and the United States. [2] It is considered to be an endangered species throughout much of its range. [8] The Blanding's turtle is of interest in longevity research, as it shows few or no common signs of aging and is physically active and capable of reproduction into eight or nine decades of life. [9] [10]

Contents

Taxonomy

There are differences of opinion as to the genus for this species; both Emys and Emydoidea occur in published sources in 2009, 2010, and 2011. [1] [4]

Etymology

Both the specific name, blandingii, and the common name, Blanding's turtle, are in honor of American naturalist Dr. William Blanding (1773–1857). [11]

Description

The Blanding's turtle is a medium-sized turtle with an average straight carapace length of approximately 18 to 23 cm (7.1 to 9.1 in) with a maximum of 25.5 cm (10.0 in). A distinguishing feature of this turtle is the bright yellow chin and throat. The carapace, or upper shell, is domed, but slightly flattened along the midline, and is oblong when viewed from above. The carapace is speckled with numerous yellow or light-colored flecks or streaks on a dark background. The plastron, or lower shell, is yellow with dark blotches symmetrically arranged. The head and legs are dark, and usually speckled or mottled with yellow. The Blanding's turtle is also called the "semi-box" turtle, for although the plastron is hinged, the plastral lobes do not shut as tight as the box turtles'.

Reproduction

Blanding's turtles take 14–20 years to reach sexual maturity. Mating probably occurs in April and early May with nesting beginning in early June and lasting throughout the month. [12] The clutch size varies from region to region. In New York, the clutch size ranges from 5–12 eggs with an average of eight.

Behavior and life span

Blanding's turtles overwinter under or near water, in mud, or under vegetation or debris. This is known as brumation. During the nesting season, a female Blanding's turtle may be found more than a kilometer from where it hibernated. It is omnivorous, eating crustaceans and other invertebrates, fish, frogs, crayfish, carrion, berries, and vegetable debris. It is capable of catching live fish. Based on the extreme lack of aging symptoms and lack of age related decline, these turtles are considered a negligibly senescent species. [9]

The Blanding's turtle is a timid turtle and may plunge into water and remain on the bottom for hours when alarmed. If away from water, the turtle will withdraw into its shell. It is very gentle and rarely attempts to bite. It is very agile and a good swimmer.

Distribution and habitat

Affixing a transmitter for research purposes Minson Blandings - Flickr - USDAgov.jpg
Affixing a transmitter for research purposes

The geographic range of E. blandingii centres on the Great Lakes, and extends from central Nebraska and Minnesota (where it twice failed to become the state reptile) [13] eastward through southern Ontario and the south shore of Lake Erie as far east as northern New York. In Nebraska, this turtle is uncommon in the eastern portion of the state, but common to abundant in the Sand Hills region lakes, ponds, and streams. There are also isolated populations in southeastern New York (Dutchess County), New England, and Nova Scotia. [14]

Its general habitat is wetlands with clean shallow water. It is known to bask on logs, and will wander far from water, particularly when nesting. It generally nests in sunny areas, with well drained soil. Younger turtles may bask on sedge and alder hummocks. Young will often travel far in search of mating sites, new habitat, or new food sources, as do elder turtles.

Conservation status

The primary threat to the Blanding's turtle is habitat fragmentation and destruction as well as nest predation by unnaturally large populations of predators. [2] It is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List [2] as endangered in some U.S. states, and as either threatened or endangered throughout Canada, though in the U.S. it has no federal status. International trade in the Blanding's turtle is restricted, as the species is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning that international trade is regulated by the CITES permit system. [3]

This species can also be adversely affected by prescribed burns. During fall and late spring hatchlings move overland and it is recommended that prescribed burns should be avoided during these times. [15]

The U.S. states in which it is considered endangered are Indiana, [16] Illinois, Missouri, [17] Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and South Dakota. [18] It is considered threatened in New York and Iowa. [19] [20] In Michigan, Blanding's turtle is also fully protected as a special concern species; [21] making it unlawful to kill, take, trap, possess, buy, or sell. [22] In Lake County, Illinois, a long term species recovery program has been underway since 2009. [23]

In Canada, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River population in Ontario and Quebec is federally threatened [24] and the Nova Scotia population is endangered. [25] Conservation and recovery efforts in Nova Scotia have been in place for two decades and rely on habitat and life history monitoring based on the work of researchers and volunteers. Habitat protection has proven crucial. The population in Kejimkujik has been placed under the highest level of protection; the McGowan Lake population was initially protected by Bowater but has since been taken over by the Province. In Pleasant River, Nova Scotia Nature Trust protects four separate segments of critical habitat. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emydidae</span> Family of turtles

Emydidae is a family of testudines (turtles) that includes close to 50 species in 10 genera. Members of this family are commonly called terrapins, pond turtles, or marsh turtles. Several species of Asian box turtles were formerly classified in the family; however, revised taxonomy has separated them to a different family (Geoemydidae). As currently defined, the Emydidae are entirely a Western Hemisphere family, with the exception of two species of pond turtle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common snapping turtle</span> Large freshwater turtle of the family Chelydridae

The common snapping turtle is a species of large freshwater turtle in the family Chelydridae. Its natural range extends from southeastern Canada, southwest to the edge of the Rocky Mountains, as far east as Nova Scotia and Florida. The three species of Chelydra and the larger alligator snapping turtles are the only extant chelydrids, a family now restricted to the Americas. The common snapping turtle, as its name implies, is the most widespread.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spotted turtle</span> Species of turtle

The spotted turtle, the only species of the genus Clemmys, is a small, semi-aquatic turtle that reaches a carapace length of 8–12 cm (3.1–4.7 in) upon adulthood. Their broad, smooth, low dark-colored upper shell, or carapace, ranges in its exact colour from black to a bluish black with a number of tiny yellow round spots. The spotting patterning extends from the head, to the neck and out onto the limbs. Sexually mature males have a concave plastron and a long, thick tail. By contrast, sexually mature females possess a flat plastron and have a tail that is noticeably shorter and thinner than that of mature males. Mature males also have a dark iris and face; females typically have a yellow or orange iris and a similarly coloured face that is distinctly lighter than the males'. Juveniles appear female-like in this regard, and at maturity males begin to develop darker features.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant Asian pond turtle</span> Species of turtle

The giant Asian pond turtle inhabits rivers, streams, marshes, and rice paddies from estuarine lowlands to moderate altitudes throughout Cambodia and Vietnam and in parts of Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand.

<i>Graptemys</i> Genus of turtles

Graptemys is a genus of freshwater turtles containing 14 species, commonly known as map turtles. Graptemys are small to medium-sized turtles that are significantly sexually dimorphic, with females in some species attaining as much as twice the length and ten times the mass as males. Depending on the species, adult males range from 7–16 cm (2.75–6.25 in), adult females 10–29.5 cm (4–11.62 in), and hatchlings 2.5–3.8 cm (1–1.5 in), although some sources indicate female Barbour's map turtles grow to 33 cm (13 in) in length. Most species have a distinctive dark pigmented keel that is often notched or serrated running down the center of the carapace and serrated scutes on the rear margin. The head, neck, and limbs exhibit bold patterns of yellow lines and spots against darker green, olive, or black base colors. The patterns on the head can be important characters in identifying the various species. The common name "map turtle" is derived from the intricate patterns on their shells that are suggestive of topographical maps, although the patterns are more apparent in some species than others, and often become obscure in older specimens. Some species are occasionally called "sawbacks", in reference to the serrated keels on their shell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wood turtle</span> Species of turtle

The wood turtle is a species of turtle endemic to North America. It is in the genus Glyptemys, a genus which contains only one other species of turtle: the bog turtle. The wood turtle reaches a straight carapace length of 14 to 20 centimeters, its defining characteristic being the pyramidal shape of the scutes on its upper shell. Morphologically, it is similar to the bog turtle, spotted turtle, and Blanding's turtle. The wood turtle exists in a broad geographic range extending from Nova Scotia in the north to Minnesota in the west and Virginia in the south. In the past, it was forced south by encroaching glaciers: skeletal remains have been found as far south as Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western pond turtle</span> Species of turtle

The western pond turtle, also known commonly as the Pacific pond turtle is a species of small to medium-sized turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is endemic to the western coast of the United States and Mexico, ranging from western Washington state to northern Baja California. It was formerly found in Canada, but in May 2002, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listed the Pacific pond turtle as being extirpated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roti Island snake-necked turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Roti Island snake-necked turtle, also commonly known as McCord's snakeneck turtle, is a critically endangered turtle species. It is named after Rote Island in Indonesia where it was first discovered. Some individuals were later discovered in East Timor, and are considered a distinct subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western swamp turtle</span> Species of turtle

The western swamp turtle or western swamp tortoise is a critically endangered species of freshwater turtle endemic to a small portion of Western Australia. It is the only member of the genus Pseudemydura in the monotypic subfamily Pseudemydurinae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black spine-neck swamp turtle</span> Species of turtle

The black spine-neck swamp turtle, also commonly known as the spiny-neck turtle or Spix's sideneck turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Chelidae. The species is endemic to South America, specially in the Southern Cone region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East African black mud turtle</span> Species of turtle

The East African black mud turtle, also known as the Pan terrapin, is a species of turtle in the family Pelomedusidae, native to eastern and southeastern Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande cooter</span> Species of turtle

The Rio Grande cooter is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is native to northeastern Mexico and the adjacent southwestern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern red-bellied cooter</span> Species of turtle

The northern red-bellied turtle or American red-bellied turtle is a species of turtle in the Pseudemys (cooter) genus of the family Emydidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern mud turtle</span> Species of turtle

The eastern mud turtle or common mud turtle is a common species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. The species is endemic to the United States. There are two recognized subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Striped mud turtle</span> Species of turtle

The striped mud turtle is a species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. The species is native to the southeastern United States.

<i>Elseya albagula</i> Species of turtle

Elseya albagula, commonly known as the white-throated snapping turtle, is one of the largest species of chelid turtles in the world, growing to about 45 cm (18 in) carapace length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sicilian pond turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Sicilian pond turtle is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is endemic to Sicily.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assam leaf turtle</span> Species of turtle

The Assam leaf turtle is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is native to India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adanson's mud turtle</span> Species of reptile

Adanson's mud turtle is a species of turtle in the family Pelomedusidae. The species is endemic to north-central Africa.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Rhodin 2011, p. 000.185
  2. 1 2 3 4 van Dijk, P.P.; Rhodin, A.G.J. (2019) [errata version of 2011 assessment]. "Emydoidea blandingii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T7709A155088836. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T7709A155088836.en . Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  4. 1 2 Rhodin 2010, pp. 000.138–000.139
  5. 1 2 3 Rhodin 2010, pp. 000.105–000.106
  6. ↑ Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". Vertebrate Zoology57 (2): 149–368. (Emydoidea blandingii, pp. 180–181).
  7. ↑ Emys blandingii. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  8. ↑ "Blanding's Turtle". Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Archived from the original on 2009-01-14. Retrieved 2006-05-25.
  9. 1 2 "Emydoidea blandingii ". The Moirai – Aging Research. 2016-10-30. Archived from the original on 2018-09-03. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  10. ↑ Brooks, Michael (2008). Chapter 9: "Death". 13 Things That Don't Make Sense . New York: Doubleday. ISBN   9781861978172.
  11. ↑ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 27. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5.
  12. ↑ MacCulloch RD, Weller WF (1988). "Reproduction in a Lake Erie population of Blanding's Turtle, Emydoidea blandingii ". Canadian Journal of Zoology. 66 (10): 2317–2319. doi:10.1139/z88-345.
  13. ↑ "Minnesota State Symbols—Unofficial, Proposed, or Facetious". Minnesota State Legislature. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  14. ↑ Ernst CH, Barbour RW, Lovich JE (1994). Turtles of the United States and Canada. Washington: Smithsonian Institution. p. 242.
  15. ↑ Refsnider JM, Linck MH (2012). "Habitat use and movement patterns of Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in Minnesota, USA: a landscape approach to species conservation" (PDF). Herpetological Conservation and Biology. 7 (2): 185–195. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  16. ↑ Indiana Legislative Services Agency (2011). "312 IAC 9-5-4: Endangered species of reptiles and amphibians". Indiana Administrative Code. Retrieved 28 Apr 2012.
  17. ↑ "Endangered Species in the Field Guide". Discover Nature Field Guide. MO Dept. of Conservation. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  18. ↑ "A Field Guide to South Dakota Turtles" (PDF). South Dakota State University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-21.
  19. ↑ "Study tracks reclusive, threatened turtle species to better understand habitat needs". Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  20. ↑ "Blanding's Turtle Fact Sheet". New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  21. ↑ Blanding's Turtle (Emys blandingii). Michigan Natural Features Inventory.
  22. ↑ "Michigan's Rare Animals" . Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  23. ↑ "Lake County celebrates World Turtle Day with release of 100 endangered Blanding's turtles". Chicago Tribune . 23 May 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-08-01.
  24. ↑ Blanding's Turtle Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population Archived 2013-06-10 at the Wayback Machine , Species At Risk Public Registry
  25. ↑ Blanding's Turtle Nova Scotia Population Archived 2013-06-10 at the Wayback Machine , Species At Risk Public Registry.
  26. ↑ Government of Canada (2017). Recovery Strategy for the Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Nova Scotia Population, in Canada. Species at Risk Public Registry.
Bibliography

Further reading

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