Glyptemys
Encyclopedia
Glyptemys is a genus
of turtle
in the family Emydidae
. It comprises two species, the bog turtle
and wood turtle
, both of which are endemic to North America
. Until 2001, these turtles were considered members of the genus Clemmys
, which currently has one member: the spotted turtle
.
Full grown, these turtles grow to between 8.9 and 20 cm (3.5 and 7.9 in). These turtles are semi-aquatic, although this varies based on season. They have morphological
characteristics that make them unique from other species and unique from each other.
The Glyptemys turtles prefer slow moving streams and ponds and feed on insects, plant matter, small invertebrates, and eat carrion. These turtles are protected throughout their range.
turtles has been eventful and there are many schools of thought about how the different genera and species should be arranged.
Before 2001, the bog and wood turtles were members of the Clemmys genus, however, they were moved to a newly created genus, Glyptemys, after further morphological and genetic analyses revealed that they were much closer relatives to each other than to the spotted turtle. The bog turtle and wood turtle have a similar genetic makeup that is marginally different than that of the spotted turtle, the only current member of the Clemmys genus. The western pond turtle
was also a former member of Clemmys, but it was recently moved to the genus Actinemys: of which it is now the only member. Both Glyptemys turtles have a karyotype
that consists of 50 chromosomes.
There are several common names for each species: ones for the bog include mud turtle, marsh turtle, yellowhead, and snapper while the wood may be referred to as the sculptured tortoise, red-legged tortoise, or redleg.
ice age, Glyptemys turtles were forced south by encroaching glaciers from the north. After glaciation, some turtle colonies relocated to their original northern range while others continued to live in the new, southern range. Some fossil remains from the Rancholabrean
period (300,000 to 11,000 years BP
) have been found in states such as Georgia and Tennessee, areas farther south than the turtles' current range.
Excessively hot days sometimes causes these turtles to estivate
.
while the wood turtle is labeled as vulnerable
, a less dire rating.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of turtle
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
in the family Emydidae
Emydidae
Emydidae, commonly called the pond turtles or marsh turtles, is a family of turtles. Previously, several species of Asian box turtle were classified in the family. However, revised taxonomy has separated them to a different family. Now, Emydidae, with the exception of two species of pond turtle,...
. It comprises two species, the bog turtle
Bog turtle
The bog turtle is a semiaquatic turtle endemic to the eastern United States. It was first scientifically described in 1801 after an 18th century survey of Pennsylvania. It is the smallest North American turtle, measuring about long when fully grown...
and wood turtle
Wood Turtle
The wood turtle is a turtle endemic to North America. It is in the genus Glyptemys, a designation given to only one other turtle: the bog turtle. The wood turtle reaches a carapace length of , its defining characteristic being the pyramidal pattern on its upper shell...
, both of which are endemic to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Until 2001, these turtles were considered members of the genus Clemmys
Clemmys
Clemmys is a genus of turtle, consisting of one North American species, the spotted turtle ,"Clemmys guangxiensis" is a composite taxon described from specimens of Mauremys mutica and the natural hybrid "Mauremys" × iversoni .Until recently, the genus Clemmys consisted of four species Clemmys is a...
, which currently has one member: the spotted turtle
Spotted Turtle
The Spotted turtle , the only current species of Clemmys, is a small, semi-aquatic turtle that reaches a carapace length of 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 yellow tiny round spots...
.
Full grown, these turtles grow to between 8.9 and 20 cm (3.5 and 7.9 in). These turtles are semi-aquatic, although this varies based on season. They have morphological
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
characteristics that make them unique from other species and unique from each other.
The Glyptemys turtles prefer slow moving streams and ponds and feed on insects, plant matter, small invertebrates, and eat carrion. These turtles are protected throughout their range.
Taxonomy
The taxonomic classification of EmydidaeEmydidae
Emydidae, commonly called the pond turtles or marsh turtles, is a family of turtles. Previously, several species of Asian box turtle were classified in the family. However, revised taxonomy has separated them to a different family. Now, Emydidae, with the exception of two species of pond turtle,...
turtles has been eventful and there are many schools of thought about how the different genera and species should be arranged.
Before 2001, the bog and wood turtles were members of the Clemmys genus, however, they were moved to a newly created genus, Glyptemys, after further morphological and genetic analyses revealed that they were much closer relatives to each other than to the spotted turtle. The bog turtle and wood turtle have a similar genetic makeup that is marginally different than that of the spotted turtle, the only current member of the Clemmys genus. The western pond turtle
Western pond turtle
The western pond turtle , or Pacific pond turtle is a small to medium-sized turtle growing to approximately 20 cm in carapace length. It is limited to the west coast of the United States of America and Mexico, ranging from western Washington state to northern Baja California...
was also a former member of Clemmys, but it was recently moved to the genus Actinemys: of which it is now the only member. Both Glyptemys turtles have a karyotype
Karyotype
A karyotype is the number and appearance of chromosomes in the nucleus of an eukaryotic cell. The term is also used for the complete set of chromosomes in a species, or an individual organism.p28...
that consists of 50 chromosomes.
There are several common names for each species: ones for the bog include mud turtle, marsh turtle, yellowhead, and snapper while the wood may be referred to as the sculptured tortoise, red-legged tortoise, or redleg.
Description
Glyptemys turtles are small to medium in size: the bog turtle males grow to be 9.4 centimetres (3.7 in) and females 8.9 centimetres (3.5 in) while wood turtles of either gender reach 14 to 20 cm (5.5 to 7.9 in) in length. Bog turtles weigh 110 grams (3.9 oz) and wood turtles average 1 kilograms (35.3 oz) at maturity. The bog can be recognized by small, bright blotches on each side of its neck and the wood by its dark gray to black head and bright orange coloration on its ventral surfaces.Distribution and habitat
Glyptemys turtles are endemic to eastern North America. Their collective range extends from Nova Scotia south to Georgia and from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota. These turtles are semi-aquatic and are commonly found in bogs, fens, and small streams which have soft yet compacted sandy bottoms.Evolutionary history
During the last post-PleistocenePleistocene
The Pleistocene is the epoch from 2,588,000 to 11,700 years BP that spans the world's recent period of repeated glaciations. The name pleistocene is derived from the Greek and ....
ice age, Glyptemys turtles were forced south by encroaching glaciers from the north. After glaciation, some turtle colonies relocated to their original northern range while others continued to live in the new, southern range. Some fossil remains from the Rancholabrean
Rancholabrean
The Rancholabrean North American Stage on the geologic timescale is the North American faunal stage according to the North American Land Mammal Ages chronology , typically set from less than 240,000 years to 11,000 years BP, a period of . It is usually considered to overlap the Middle Pleistocene...
period (300,000 to 11,000 years BP
Before Present
Before Present years is a time scale used in archaeology, geology, and other scientific disciplines to specify when events in the past occurred. Because the "present" time changes, standard practice is to use AD 1950 as the origin of the age scale, reflecting the fact that radiocarbon...
) have been found in states such as Georgia and Tennessee, areas farther south than the turtles' current range.
Ecology and behavior
These turtles are diurnal and become active in the early morning. During extremely cold days they each may spend time underwater while the bog has been known to also seek dense underbrush or mud to bury itself in.Excessively hot days sometimes causes these turtles to estivate
Estivation
Aestivation is a state of animal dormancy, characterized by inactivity and a lowered metabolic rate, that is entered in response to high temperatures and arid conditions...
.
Conservation
Both Glyptemys turtles are protected throughout their range. The bog turtle is considered endangeredEndangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
while the wood turtle is labeled as vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
, a less dire rating.