Texas map turtle | |
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A Texas map turtle in Kimble County, TX | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Testudines |
Suborder: | Cryptodira |
Superfamily: | Testudinoidea |
Family: | Emydidae |
Genus: | Graptemys |
Species: | G. versa
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Binomial name | |
Graptemys versa | |
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Range map | |
Synonyms | |
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The Texas map turtle (Graptemys versa) is a species of emydid turtle endemic to Texas.
Geographic range
[edit]Endemic to Texas within the Colorado River (Texas) drainage
Description
[edit]Graptemys versa is a smaller turtle; females only attain a carapace length of 21.4 cm (8.4 in). Males are even smaller, only attaining a carapace length of 9.0 cm (3.5 in). When viewed dorsally, the carapace is oval-shaped with the widest part just above the rear legs. The posterior marginals are serrated and the carapacial scutes are convex. A medial keel is present on the vertebral scutes with the most prominent keels being located on the first three. The apex of these scutes are yellowish but often become worn down with age. The base coloration of the carapace is olive green with yellow reticulations. Juveniles and young adults often bear some slight pattern along the central seams of the plastral scutes. However, some adults have a creamy yellow plastron free of markings.
Diet
[edit]Map turtle researcher Peter Lindeman has documented the following dietary items from Texas map turtles: Freshwater sponges, algae, seeds, Asian clams, various aquatic insects, leeches, and crayfish.
References
[edit]- ^ database.reptarium.cz/species.php?genus=Graptemys&species=versa Graptemys versa[permanent dead link], Reptile Database
- ^ Fritz, Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 190. doi:10.3897/vz.57.e30895.
- ^ Conant, R. 1975. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition Houghton Mifflin. Boston. xviii + 429 pp. + 48 plates. ISBN 0-395-19979-4 (hardcover), ISBN 0-395-19977-8 (paperback). (Graptemys versa, p. 58 + Plate 8 + Map 21.)
Further reading
[edit]- Stejneger, L. 1925. New species and subspecies of American turtles. Journ. Washington Acad. Sci. 15 (20): 462–463. ("Graptemys pseudogeographica versa, new subspecies", p. 463.)
Well, that’s interesting to know that Psilotum nudum are known as whisk ferns. Psilotum nudum is the commoner species of the two. While the P. flaccidum is a rare species and is found in the tropical islands. Both the species are usually epiphytic in habit and grow upon tree ferns. These species may also be terrestrial and grow in humus or in the crevices of the rocks.
View the detailed Guide of Psilotum nudum: Detailed Study Of Psilotum Nudum (Whisk Fern), Classification, Anatomy, Reproduction