John L. Carr

Human disturbance and natural habitat: a biome level analysis of a global data set

This paper presents an analysis of conversion of natural habitat to human use on a global scale. Human disturbance of natural systems is classified in a three-category system and ranked using a Habitat Index based on remaining undisturbed and partially disturbed land. Data is analysed by biome and biogeographic province, allowing identification of the biomes and provinces which have been the most impacted by human activity. Temperate biomes are found to be generally more disturbed than tropical biomes. Four of the top five most disturbed biomes are temperate. Certain biomes and geographic areas stand out as conservation priorities, notably the islands of Southeast Asia, Mediterranean vegetation types, Temperate Broadleaf Forests and Tropical Dry Forests. Areas for which data deficiencies exist are identified.

Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Higher Categories of Cryptodiran Turtles Based on a Cladistic Analysis of Chromosomal Data

Karyological data are available for 55% of all cryptodiran turtle species including members of all but one family. Cladistic analysis of these data, as well as consideration of other taxonomic studies, lead us to propose a formal classification and phylogeny not greatly different from that suggested by other workers. We recognize 11 families and three superfamilies. The platysternid and staurotypid turtles are recognized at the familial level. Patterns and models of karyotypic evolution in turtles are reviewed and discussed.

Phylogenetic implications of karyotypic variation in the Batagurinae (Testudines: Emydidae)

The present study examined karyotypes of 16 genera and, along with previous reports, chromosomal data are now available for 18 of the 23 recognized batagurine genera. There are no karyotypic data available for the members of McDowells (1964) Hardella complex. The Batagur, Heosemys and Geoemyda complexes retain the hypothesized primitive karyotype for the subfamily (2n=52). All the genera in these three complexes have been examined except Batagur and Annamemys. The Orlitia complex is karyotypically distinct with 2n=50 and the NOR located terminally on a large microchromosome. The genus Malayemys inclusion in the Batagur complex is not supported. Malayemys is characterized by a 2n=50 karyotype, with the NOR located interstitially on a large microchromosome. The Malayemys complex is erected to contain this genus at a point intermediate between the Orlitia complex and the subfamily Emydinae. Malayemys and the emydines are karyotypically indistinguishable. The Neotropical genus Rhinoclemmys (Geoemyda complex) differs only slightly from the primitive batagurine karyotype in the position of the NOR. The species R. funerea and R. punctularia further differ in possessing one less metacentric macrochomosome. An interesting situation involves two subspecies of R. punctularia. The nominate subspecies is characterized by a 2n=56 karyotype, while R. p. melanosterna reportedly has a 2n=52 karyotype. Such a difference is interpreted as indicative of genetic differentiation between the two forms of a magnitude inconsistent with considering them as conspecific. Taken together with zoogeographic considerations, the karyotypic difference between the forms R. p. punctularia and R. p. melanosterna seem sufficient to warrant species distinction for R. melanosterna as previously suggested by Pritchard (1979b).

Nesting Behavior in Three-Toed Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina triunguis) Following Oxytocin-Induced Oviposition

ABSTRACT Between 1997 and 2001, we observed nesting behavior following oxytocin-induced oviposition in 10 three-toed box turtles. Oviposition preceded nesting behavior by 0.5–17 days. Three turtles oviposited subsequent clutches (without oxytocin induction) a mean of 30 days after the oxytocin injections but only 22 days after they constructed empty nests. The mean internesting interval was 21 days between consecutive ovipositions without oxytocin induction by these 3 females in the same and subsequent seasons.

Hatchling Emergence From Naturally Incubated Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) Nests in Northern Louisiana

Abstract We report emergence dates for 38 alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) hatchlings from 6 naturally incubated nests laid during the 2008 and 2009 nesting seasons in northeastern Louisiana. Per capita emergence success for 2008 and 2009 combined was 19.5%. Hatchling emergence occurred from 28 August to 25 September and was asynchronous for 80% of nests that had multiple hatchlings emerge, with emergence duration as long as 12 days. We found no evidence of delayed emergence; some hatchlings may remain in the nest for up to 3 weeks before successfully emerging.

Some ascaridid, spirurid, and rhabditid nematodes of the neotropical turtle genus Rhinoclemmys in Mexico and South America.

r: Several species ofnematodes collected from turtles of Mexico and South America represent new host and/or locality records. From Mexico, Rhinoclemmys areolata was infected with Atractis caballeroi, Atractis impura, Cruzia mexicana, Falcaustra sp., and Serpinema parvus, and Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima pulcherrima infected with A. impura, C. mexicana, and Longibucca sp. From Ecuador, Rhinoclemmys nasuta was infected with Falcaustra tikasinghi and Hedruris sp., Rhinoclemmys annulata with A. caballeroi, Rhinoclemmys melanosterna with F. tikasinghi, and Kinosternon leucostomum with A. caballeroi. From Venezuela, Rhinoclemmys diademata was infected with A. impura. Few records exist on the ascaridid, spirurid, and rhabditid nematodes of turtles in Mexico and South America and especially so on those of Ecuador and Venezuela. In conjunction with fieldwork by one of us (J.L.C.) on the ecologically diverse genus Rhinoclemmys (Emydidae) in Ecuador and Mexico during July-August 1986 and July 1988, respectively, an opportunity became available to study the helminths of some of these turtles. Additional specimens were obtained from colleagues. Six of the 9 species of Rhinoclemmys were available for study, including the terrestrial species Rhinoclemmys annulata (Gray, 1860), Rhinoclemmys areolata (Dumr R. melanosterna, USNM 281880 and 281881, 281883-281886; R. nasuta, USNM 281887281891; and K. leucostomum, USNM 281876 and 281877. Specimens of R. areolata, R. diademata, and R. p. pulcherrima will be deposited in the USNM collection. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.153 on Mon, 19 Sep 2016 04:52:56 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 260 THE JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY, VOL. 76, NO. 2, APRIL 1990 TABLE I. Nematodes of the neotropical turtle genus Rhinoclemmys.

Turtle ectoparasites from the Pacific coastal region of Colombia

This study provides an update on the ectoparasites (ticks and leeches) associated with Rhinoclemmys annulata and provides new accounts on the ectoparasites associated with R. nasuta, R. melanosterna andKinosternon leucostomum from the Pacific coast of Colombia. The presence ofAmblyomma sabanerae on R. nasuta and R. melanosterna provided two new host records for the tick species. Also, the documentation ofA. sabanerae from the Department of Valle del Cauca represents a new department record for the species in Colombia. Placobdella ringueleti was identified fromR. nasuta and K. leucostomum, which represents a new host record for the leech species, as well as a significant extension of the known range.

Research and Conservation Priorities for Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles of Colombia

The objective of our study was to review and quantify the level of knowledge of the biology of tortoise and freshwater turtle species of Colombia based on studies conducted in the country. We used the resulting rankings in knowledge, in combination with IUCN threat category, presence in protected areas, and endemism, to propose conservation priorities. This process also allowed us to evaluate which aspects of turtle biology have been least studied. Four species obtained total values of zero or one over the 21 knowledge criteria employed, so they were ranked as the highest priority for research based on the lack of knowledge of their biology: Black-lined Toad-headed Turtle (Mesoclemmys raniceps), Amazon Toad-headed Turtle (Mesoclemmys heliostemma), Gibba Toad-headed Turtle (Mesoclemmys gibba), and Dunn’s Mud Turtle (Kinosternon dunni). Moreover, species in the family Chelidae in general were found to have limited levels of knowledge, which makes this group a priority for investigation. Evaluation of the distinct criteria used in the knowledge assessment revealed that the best-known criteria were geographic distribution (modeled), presence or absence in protected areas, and clutch size. The most poorly known biological characteristics, which constitute research priorities, are the frequency of nesting, longevity and generation time, and population parameters. According to the criteria used, the priority species for conservation were the Magdalena River Turtle (Podocnemis lewyana), Dahl’s Toad-headed Turtle (Mesoclemmys dahli), K. dunni, and Maracaibo Wood Turtle (Rhinoclemmys diademata), three of which are endemic or semiendemic (R. diademata only occurs in Colombia and Venezuela), followed by two species of Mesoclemmys.

TAXONOMIC STATUS OF TANTILLA EQUATORIANA WILSON AND MENA 1980 (SERPENTES: COLUBRIDAE)

Abstract The colubrid snake Tantilla equatoriana was described from 2 male specimens on the basis of several characters of color pattern and relatively high number of subcaudals. We examined the types and 3 additional specimens of T. equatoriana to assess whether the characters used to diagnose this taxon are unique or overlap with those of the highly variable, sympatric species T. melanocephala. Based on these data and a Principal Components Analysis of morphometric variation of T. equatoriana and T. melanocephala, we treat T. equatoriana as a junior synonym of T. melanocephala.

Infestation of a Naturally Incubated Nest of the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) by the Phorid Fly Megaselia scalaris

Abstract Larvae of the phorid fly Megaselia scalaris were in eggs in a naturally incubated nest of an alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii). It appears that these larvae contributed to failure of this nest. Infestation by phorid larvae has been reported previously for eggs and nests of multiple species of turtles, but has not been reported from M. temminckii.