Wildfire, Depredation, and Synergistic Management Challenges Contribute to the Decline of a Significant Population of Florida Box Turtles (Terrapene bauri)

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Jones ◽  
Lisabeth L. Willey ◽  
Jonathan D. Mays ◽  
C. Kenneth Dodd
Keyword(s):  
Box Turtles

scholarly journals Cytogenetic Analysis of the Asian Box Turtles of the Genus Cuora (Testudines, Geoemydidae)

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 156
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Clemente ◽  
Sofia Mazzoleni ◽  
Eleonora Pensabene ◽  
Tomáš Protiva ◽  
Philipp Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Telomeric Repeats ◽  
Rdna Loci ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Genotypic Sex Determination ◽  
Poorly Differentiated ◽  
Almost All

The Asian box turtle genus Cuora currently comprises 13 species with a wide distribution in Southeast Asia, including China and the islands of Indonesia and Philippines. The populations of these species are rapidly declining due to human pressure, including pollution, habitat loss, and harvesting for food consumption. Notably, the IUCN Red List identifies almost all species of the genus Cuora as Endangered (EN) or Critically Endangered (CR). In this study, we explore the karyotypes of 10 Cuora species with conventional (Giemsa staining, C-banding, karyogram reconstruction) and molecular cytogenetic methods (in situ hybridization with probes for rDNA loci and telomeric repeats). Our study reveals a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 52 chromosomes in all studied species, with karyotypes of similar chromosomal morphology. In all examined species, rDNA loci are detected at a single medium-sized chromosome pair and the telomeric repeats are restricted to the expected terminal position across all chromosomes. In contrast to a previous report, sex chromosomes are neither detected in Cuoragalbinifrons nor in any other species. Therefore, we assume that these turtles have either environmental sex determination or genotypic sex determination with poorly differentiated sex chromosomes. The conservation of genome organization could explain the numerous observed cases of interspecific hybridization both within the genus Cuora and across geoemydid turtles.

Behavioural and physiological responses to simulated predator-induced stress in the eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-398
Author(s):  
Victoria L. Preston ◽  
Jessica M. Vannatta ◽  
Matthew Klukowski
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Graded Response ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Eastern Box Turtles ◽  
Lactate Levels ◽  
Terrapene Carolina Carolina ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Free Ranging

Abstract In spite of the fully-hinged shell being the defining characteristic of box turtles, few studies have quantified the behavioural use of the shell in response to predator encounters. While it is often assumed that box turtles simply withdraw into their shell in response to threats, we expected variability among individuals in shell usage and in the degree of head and limb retraction because withdrawal is likely to be costly. We tested the behavioural and physiological responses of free-ranging eastern box turtles to stimuli of varying intensity: observation only, a visual stimulus, a poke on the leg, or a pinch on the leg before being flipped. The more intense the simulated predatory stimulus, the more likely turtles were to fully close their shell. However, stimulus intensity did not affect plasma corticosterone or lactate levels. This may be due to too brief or weak of a stimulus, increased parasympathetic activity, or seasonal effects. Upon capture and during handling, almost all turtles withdrew into their shells and closed their anterior plastron, although fewer closed their posterior plastron, and a few engaged in other behaviours such as biting and urinating. Older, larger turtles were able to close their shells with greater strength than younger and smaller turtles. Our results indicate that in spite of their fully closable shell, box turtles exhibit a graded response to perceived threats. This suggests that full closure of the shell is likely to be costly and occurs only in response to the most intense stimuli.

Lead in the bone and soft tissues of box turtles caught near smelters

1981 ◽  
Vol 27-27 (1) ◽  
pp. 349-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. Beresford ◽  
M. P. Donovan ◽  
J. M. Henninger ◽  
M. P. Waalkes
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Box Turtles

A report on the hybridization between two species of threatened Asian box turtles (Testudines: Cuora) in the wild on Hainan Island (China) with comments on the origin of 'serrata'-like turtles

2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Brian Simison ◽  
Jichao Wang ◽  
Shiping Gong ◽  
Binglong Fu ◽  
Haitao Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hainan Island ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
In The Wild

Identification of a novel herpesvirus in captive Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina)

2015 ◽  
Vol 175 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 218-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard R. Sim ◽  
Terry M. Norton ◽  
Ellen Bronson ◽  
Matthew C. Allender ◽  
Nancy Stedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Terrapene Carolina ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Eastern Box Turtles ◽  
Terrapene Carolina Carolina
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document