Glyptemys
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''Glyptemys'' is a
genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...
of
turtle Turtles are an order of reptiles known as Testudines, characterized by a special shell developed mainly from their ribs. Modern turtles are divided into two major groups, the Pleurodira (side necked turtles) and Cryptodira (hidden necked t ...
s in the family Emydidae. It comprises two species, the
bog turtle The bog turtle (''Glyptemys muhlenbergii'') is a critically endangered species of semiaquatic turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is endemic to the eastern United States. It was first scientifically described in 1801 after an 18th-century ...
and
wood turtle The wood turtle (''Glyptemys insculpta'') is a species of turtle endemic to North America. It is in the genus ''Glyptemys'', a genus which contains only one other species of turtle: the bog turtle (''Glyptemys muhlenbergii'' ). The wood turtle ...
, both of which are
endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...
to North America. Until 2001, these turtles were considered members of the genus '' Clemmys'', which currently has one member, the
spotted turtle The spotted turtle (''Clemmys guttata''), the only species of the genus ''Clemmys'', is a small, semi-aquatic turtle that reaches a carapace length of upon adulthood. Their broad, smooth, low dark-colored upper shell, or carapace, ranges in its ...
. Full grown, these turtles grow to between . These turtles are semiaquatic, although this varies based on season. Their morphological characteristics make them unique from other species and unique from each other. ''Glyptemys'' turtles prefer slow moving streams and ponds, and feed on insects, plant matter, small invertebrates, and carrion. These turtles are protected throughout their range. All species in ''Glyptemys'' are considered
endangered An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and in ...
.


Taxonomy

The taxonomic classification of Emydidae turtles has been eventful and many schools of thought are given about how the different genera and species should be arranged. Before 2001, the bog and wood turtles were members of the genus ''Clemmys'', but they were moved to a newly created genus, ''Glyptemys'', after further morphological and genetic analyses revealed they were much closer relatives to each other than to the spotted turtle. The bog turtle and wood turtle have similar genetic makeups that are marginally different from that of the spotted turtle, the only current member of the genus ''Clemmys''. The
western pond turtle The Western pond turtle (''Actinemys marmorata''), also known commonly as the Pacific pond turtle is a species of small to medium-sized turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is endemic to the western coast of the United States and Mexico, r ...
was also a former member of ''Clemmys'', but it was recently moved to the genus ''Actinemys'', of which it is now the only member. Both ''Glyptemys'' turtles have karyotypes of 50
chromosomes A chromosome is a long DNA molecule with part or all of the genetic material of an organism. In most chromosomes the very long thin DNA fibers are coated with packaging proteins; in eukaryotic cells the most important of these proteins are ...
. The several common names for the bog include mud turtle, marsh turtle, yellowhead, and snapper while the wood may be referred to as the sculptured tortoise, red-legged tortoise, or redleg.


Description

''Glyptemys'' turtles are small to medium in size: the bog turtle males grow to be and females while wood turtles of either gender reach in length. Bog turtles weigh and wood turtles average at maturity. The bog can be recognized by small, bright blotches on each side of its neck and the wood by its dark gray to black head and bright orange coloration on its
ventral Standard anatomical terms of location are used to unambiguously describe the anatomy of animals, including humans. The terms, typically derived from Latin or Greek roots, describe something in its standard anatomical position. This position prov ...
surfaces. The wood turtle exhibits genetic sex determination, in contrast to the
temperature-dependent sex determination Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) is a type of environmental sex determination in which the temperatures experienced during embryonic/larval development determine the sex of the offspring. It is only observed in reptiles and teleost fish ...
of most turtles; the method of sex determination for the bog turtle is unknown.


Distribution and habitat

''Glyptemys'' turtles are endemic to eastern North America. Their collective range extends from Nova Scotia south to Georgia and from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota. These turtles are semiaquatic and are commonly found in bogs,
fen A fen is a type of peat-accumulating wetland fed by mineral-rich Groundwater, ground or surface water. It is one of the main types of wetlands along with marshes, swamps, and bogs. Bogs and fens, both peat-forming ecosystems, are also known as ...
s, and small streams which have soft yet compacted, sandy bottoms.


Evolutionary history

During the last post-Pleistocene ice age, ''Glyptemys'' turtles were forced south by encroaching glaciers from the north. After
glaciation A glacial period (alternatively glacial or glaciation) is an interval of time (thousands of years) within an ice age that is marked by colder temperatures and glacier advances. Interglacials, on the other hand, are periods of warmer climate be ...
, some turtle colonies relocated to their original northern range, while others continued to live in the new, southern range. Some fossil remains from the
Rancholabrean The Rancholabrean North American Land Mammal Age on the geologic timescale is the North American faunal stage according to the North American Land Mammal Ages chronology (NALMA), typically set from less than 240,000 years to 11,000 years BP, a pe ...
period (300,000 to 11,000 years BP) have been found in Georgia and Tennessee, areas farther south than the turtles' current range.


Ecology and behavior

These turtles are diurnal and become active in the early morning. During extremely cold days, they each may spend time under water, while the bog has been known to also seek dense underbrush or mud in which to bury itself. Excessively hot days sometimes causes these turtles to estivate.


Conservation

Both species are protected throughout their ranges. The bog turtle is considered critically endangered by the IUCN, while the wood turtle is labeled as
endangered An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and in ...
, a less dire rating. For more information on species conservation, see the individual species pages of the
bog turtle The bog turtle (''Glyptemys muhlenbergii'') is a critically endangered species of semiaquatic turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is endemic to the eastern United States. It was first scientifically described in 1801 after an 18th-century ...
and the
wood turtle The wood turtle (''Glyptemys insculpta'') is a species of turtle endemic to North America. It is in the genus ''Glyptemys'', a genus which contains only one other species of turtle: the bog turtle (''Glyptemys muhlenbergii'' ). The wood turtle ...
.


References

;Notes ;Footnotes ;Bibliography * * * * * *


Further reading

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q469543 Reptiles of North America Reptiles of the United States Turtle genera Taxa named by Louis Agassiz