Blanding's turtle(Emydoidea blandingii)[1][5]is aspeciesof semi-aquaticturtleof thefamilyEmydidae.This species is native to central and eastern parts ofCanadaand theUnited States.[2]It is considered to be anendangered speciesthroughout much of its range.[8]Blanding's turtle is of interest in longevity research, as it shows few or nocommon signs of agingand is physically active and capable of reproduction into eight or nine decades of life.[9][10]
| Blanding's turtle | |
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Scientific classification
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Cryptodira |
| Superfamily: | Testudinoidea |
| Family: | Emydidae |
| Subfamily: | Emydinae |
| Genus: | Emydoidea JE Gray,1870 |
| Species: | E. blandingii
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| Binomial name | |
| Emydoidea blandingii | |
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| The range of Blanding's turtle | |
| Synonyms[5][6][7] | |
Taxonomy
editThere are differences of opinion as to thegenusfor this species; bothEmysandEmydoideaoccur in published sources in 2009, 2010, and 2011.[1][4]
Etymology
editBoth thespecific name,blandingii,and the common name, Blanding's turtle, are in honor ofAmericannaturalistDr. William Blanding (1773–1857).[11]
Description
editBlanding's turtle is a medium-sized turtle with an average straightcarapacelength of approximately 18 to 23 cm (7.1 to 9.1 in) with a maximum of 25.5 cm (10.0 in).[12]A distinguishing feature of this turtle is the bright yellow chin and throat. The carapace, or upper shell, is domed, but slightly flattened along the midline, and is oblong when viewed from above. The carapace is speckled with numerous yellow or light-colored flecks or streaks on a dark background. Theplastron,or lower shell, is yellow with dark blotches symmetrically arranged. The head and legs are dark, and usually speckled or mottled with yellow. Blanding's turtle is also called the "semi-box" turtle, for although theplastronis hinged, the plastral lobes do not shut as tight as thebox turtles'.[13]
Reproduction
editBlanding's turtle takes 14–20 years to reach sexual maturity. Mating probably occurs in April and early May with nesting beginning in early June and lasting throughout the month.[14]Clutchsize varies from region to region. InNew York,the clutch size ranges from five to twelve eggs, with an average of eight.
Behavior and life span
editBlanding's turtleoverwintersunder or near water, in mud, or under vegetation or debris. This is known asbrumation.During the nesting season, a female Blanding's turtle may be found more than a kilometer from where it hibernated. It isomnivorous,eatingcrustaceans(includingcrayfish),insects(such asdragonflynymphsandaquatic beetles),snailsand otherinvertebrates,fish,fisheggs,frogs,carrion,berries,seeds,andvegetabledebris.[15]It will eatcoontail,duckweed,sedge,andbulrush.[15]It is capable of catching live fish. Based on the extreme lack of aging symptoms and lack of age related decline, this turtle is considered a negligiblysenescentspecies.[9]
Blanding's turtle is a timid turtle and may plunge into water and remain on the bottom for hours when alarmed. If away from water, the turtle will withdraw into its shell. It is very gentle and rarely attempts to bite. It is very agile and a good swimmer.
Distribution and habitat
edit
The geographic range ofE. blandingiicentres on theGreat Lakes,and extends from centralNebraskaandMinnesota(where it twice failed to become thestate reptile)[16]eastward through southernOntarioand the south shore ofLake Erieas far east as northern New York. In Nebraska, this turtle is uncommon in the eastern portion of the state, but common to abundant in the Sand Hills region lakes, ponds, and streams. There are also isolated populations in southeasternNew York(Dutchess County),New England,andNova Scotia.[17]
Its general habitat iswetlandswith clean shallow water. It is known to bask on logs, and will wander far from water, particularly when nesting. It generally nests in sunny areas, with well drained soil. Younger turtles may bask on sedge and alder hummocks. Young will often travel far in search of mating sites, new habitat, or new food sources, as do elder turtles.
Conservation status
editThe primary threat to Blanding's turtle ishabitat fragmentationand destruction as well as nest predation by unnaturally large populations of predators.[2]It is listed as anendangered specieson theIUCN Red List[2]as endangered in some U.S. states, and as either threatened or endangered throughout Canada, though in the U.S. it has no federal status. International trade in Blanding's turtle is restricted, as the species is listed in Appendix II of theConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species(CITES) meaning that international trade is regulated by the CITES permit system.[3]
This species can also be adversely affected by prescribed burns. During fall and late spring hatchlings move overland and it is recommended that prescribed burns should be avoided during these times.[18]
The U.S. states in which it is considered endangered areIndiana,[19]Illinois,Missouri,[20]Maine,New Hampshire,Massachusetts,andSouth Dakota.[21]It is considered threatened in New York and Iowa.[22][23]InMichigan,Blanding's turtle is also fully protected as aspecial concern species,[24]making it unlawful to kill, take, trap, possess, buy, or sell.[25]InLake County, Illinois,a long-term species recovery program has been underway since 2009.[26]
In Canada, the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River population inOntarioandQuebecis federally threatened,[27]and theNova Scotiapopulation is endangered.[28] Conservation and recovery efforts in Nova Scotia have been in place for two decades and rely on habitat and life history monitoring based on the work of researchers and volunteers. Habitat protection has proven crucial. The population in Kejimkujik has been placed under the highest level of protection; theMcGowan Lakepopulation was initially protected byBowaterbut has since been taken over by the Province. InPleasant River,Nova Scotia Nature Trustprotects four separate segments of critical habitat.[29]
References
edit- ^abcdRhodin 2011,p. 000.185
- ^abcdvan Dijk, P.P.; Rhodin, A.G.J. (2019) [errata version of 2011 assessment]."Emydoidea blandingii".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2011:e.T7709A155088836.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T7709A155088836.en.Retrieved9 March2022.
- ^ab"Appendices | CITES".cites.org.Retrieved2022-01-14.
- ^abRhodin 2010,pp. 000.138–000.139
- ^abcRhodin 2010,pp. 000.105–000.106
- ^Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World".Vertebrate Zoology57(2): 149–368. (Emydoidea blandingii,pp. 180–181).
- ^Emys blandingii.The Reptile Database. reptile-database.org.
- ^"Blanding's Turtle".Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-01-14.Retrieved2006-05-25.
- ^ab"Emydoidea blandingii".The Moirai – Aging Research.2016-10-30. Archived fromthe originalon 2018-09-03.Retrieved2016-12-13.
- ^Brooks, Michael (2008). Chapter 9: "Death".13 Things That Don't Make Sense.New York: Doubleday.ISBN9781861978172.
- ^Beolens B,Watkins M,Grayson M(2011).The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles.Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 27.ISBN978-1-4214-0135-5.
- ^"Status Assessment for the Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) in the Northeast"(PDF).30 July 2007.
- ^COLE, STACEY (2017-08-12)."Stacey Cole's Nature Talks: Have you seen a Blanding's turtle this summer?".UnionLeader.Retrieved2024-10-18.
- ^MacCulloch RD,Weller WF(1988). "Reproduction in a Lake Erie population of Blanding's Turtle,Emydoidea blandingii".Canadian Journal of Zoology.66(10): 2317–2319.doi:10.1139/z88-345.
- ^abGrey, Evan."Emydoidea blandingii".Animal Diversity Web.University of Michigan.Retrieved18 August2024.
- ^"Minnesota State Symbols—Unofficial, Proposed, or Facetious".Minnesota State Legislature.Retrieved2011-02-25.
- ^Ernst CH,Barbour RW,Lovich JE(1994).Turtles of the United States and Canada.Washington: Smithsonian Institution. p. 242.
- ^Refsnider JM, Linck MH (2012)."Habitat use and movement patterns of Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in Minnesota, USA: a landscape approach to species conservation "(PDF).Herpetological Conservation and Biology.7(2): 185–195.Retrieved24 February2024.
- ^Indiana Legislative Services Agency (2011)."312 IAC 9-5-4: Endangered species of reptiles and amphibians".Indiana Administrative Code.Retrieved28 Apr2012.
- ^"Endangered Species in the Field Guide".Discover Nature Field Guide.MO Dept. of Conservation.Retrieved4 September2015.
- ^"A Field Guide to South Dakota Turtles"(PDF).South Dakota State University. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2013-10-21.
- ^"Study tracks reclusive, threatened turtle species to better understand habitat needs".Iowa Department of Natural Resources.Retrieved2023-06-09.
- ^"Blanding's Turtle Fact Sheet".New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.Retrieved22 May2015.
- ^Blanding's Turtle (Emys blandingii).Michigan Natural Features Inventory.
- ^"Michigan's Rare Animals".Retrieved2020-04-12.
- ^"Lake County celebrates World Turtle Day with release of 100 endangered Blanding's turtles".Chicago Tribune.23 May 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-08-01.
- ^Blanding's Turtle Great Lakes / St. Lawrence populationArchived2013-06-10 at theWayback Machine,Species At Risk Public Registry
- ^Blanding's Turtle Nova Scotia PopulationArchived2013-06-10 at theWayback Machine,Species At Risk Public Registry.
- ^Government of Canada (2017).Recovery Strategy for the Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Nova Scotia Population, in Canada.Species at Risk Public Registry.
- Bibliography
- Rhodin, Anders G.J.; van Dijk, Peter Paul; Iverson, John B.; Shaffer, H. Bradley (2010-12-14)."Turtles of the World 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution and Conservation Status"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2011-07-17.Retrieved2010-12-15.
- Rhodin, Anders G.J.; van Dijk; Peter Paul; Iverson, John B.; Shaffer, H. Bradley; Roger, Bour (2011-12-31)."Turtles of the world, 2011 update: Annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution and conservation status"(PDF).Chelonian Research Monographs.5.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2012-01-31.
Further reading
edit- Behler JL,King FW(1979).The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians.New York: Knopf. 743 pp.ISBN0-394-50824-6.(Emydoidea blandingi[sic], p. 458 + Plate 291).
- Conant R(1975).A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition.Boston: Houghton Mifflin. xviii + 429 pp.ISBN0-395-19979-4(hardcover),ISBN0-395-19977-8(paperback). (Emydoidea blandingi[sic], p. 71 + Plates 5,7 + Map 26).
- Goin CJ,Goin OB,Zug GR(1978).Introduction to Herpetology, Third Edition.San Francisco: W.H. Freeman. xi + 378 pp.ISBN0-7167-0020-4.(GenusEmydoidea,p. 259).
- Holbrook JE(1838).North American Herpetology; or, A Description of the Reptiles Inhabiting the United States. Vol. III.Philadelphia: J. Dobson. 122 pp. + Plates I-XXX. (Cistuda blandingii,pp. 35–38 + Plate V).
- Smith HM,Brodie ED Jr(1982).Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification.New York: Golden Press. 240 pp.ISBN0-307-13666-3.(Emydoidea blandingi[sic], pp. 44–45).
- Stejneger L,Barbour T(1917).A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles.Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. 125 pp. (Emys blandingii,p. 115).
External links
edit
- Blanding's Turtle,Herpetological Resource and Management (HRM) of Michigan
- Blanding's TurtleArchived2018-09-03 at theWayback Machine,Illinois Natural History Survey
- Blanding's Turtle,Reptiles and Amphibians of Iowa