The Plymouth Red-bellied Turtle: Pseudemys rubiventris Source:

Subspecies: population that occupies a unique geographical range population that occupies a unique geographical range differs in morphology or genetically from other subspecies differs in morphology or genetically from other subspecies can interbreed with other subspecies of the same species can interbreed with other subspecies of the same species

use to be considered its own subspecies called Pseudemys rubiventris bangsi use to be considered its own subspecies called Pseudemys rubiventris bangsi based on differences in shell measurements when compared to the mid-Atlantic Red- bellied Turtle (3). based on differences in shell measurements when compared to the mid-Atlantic Red- bellied Turtle (3). No Longer a Subspecies (3): does not differ genetically from the mid-Atlantic population

Why is it classified as Endangered? listed on April 02, 1980 based on the subspecies only occurring in Plymouth County (2) listed on April 02, 1980 based on the subspecies only occurring in Plymouth County (2) Only 50 turtles known in 1980 Only 50 turtles known in 1980 When the subspecies classification taken away, the National Wilderness Institute filed a petition in1997 to de-list the turtle based on Taxonomic error When the subspecies classification taken away, the National Wilderness Institute filed a petition in1997 to de-list the turtle based on Taxonomic error Reclassification as a Disjunct Population Segment (separated by 250 miles) ensured that the turtle remain listed as endangered Reclassification as a Disjunct Population Segment (separated by 250 miles) ensured that the turtle remain listed as endangered extinction of the Plymouth Population would reduce the latitude range by 1/3; other estimates say by 40% (3) extinction of the Plymouth Population would reduce the latitude range by 1/3; other estimates say by 40% (3)

Breeding Age (3): years (3) years (3) as soon as 12 years for headstarted turtles as soon as 12 years for headstarted turtles Life Expectancy: (3) years years

Nesting: (3) females dig a nest near the pond females dig a nest near the pond 1-2 clutches per year (most lay 1) 1-2 clutches per year (most lay 1) Incubation period: days Incubation period: days Incubation temp: 25 ºC (3) Incubation temp: 25 ºC (3)

Temp Dependent Sex Determination: (3) shady/cool produces males shady/cool produces males sunny/warm produces females sunny/warm produces females Present Sex Ratio: currently has more males currently has more males Boot Pond: 2.5 males : 1 female (21:8) Boot Pond: 2.5 males : 1 female (21:8)

Habitat (3): 20 coastal plain Ponds 20 coastal plain Ponds 4 towns: Plymouth, Kingston, Carver and Middleborough 4 towns: Plymouth, Kingston, Carver and Middleborough 50% in single private owned pond (Federal) 50% in single private owned pond (Federal)

Major Threats (3): Habitat loss Habitat loss Predation Predation Burning Suppression Burning Suppression

Hatchling Predators (3) : bull frog, largemouth bass, great blue heron, raccoon, snapping turtles bull frog, largemouth bass, great blue heron, raccoon, snapping turtles Nest predation: raccoons, skunks, red fox, coyotes, crows Nest predation: raccoons, skunks, red fox, coyotes, crows

Headstart Program (3) 2,725 have been released from ,725 have been released from turtle nests protected with wire enclosures turtle nests protected with wire enclosures hatchlings were collected hatchlings were collected released at two to six times larger than similar- aged turtles in the wild released at two to six times larger than similar- aged turtles in the wild

Status of the Recovery Effort: Today there are breeding age turtles in 20 ponds, but less than 10 have more than 20 breeders.

Delisting Criteria (3): Status Population Size # subpopulations E to T 600 breeding age 15 ponds Self Sustaining (50 or more cooters) Delisting 1000 breeding age 20 self sustaining (lakes, ponds, possibly rivers) with protected habitat

Turtle Anatomy

Turtle Anatomy