Potential Environmental Basis for Megacephaly in the Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
John B. Iverson
Author(s):  
Bradley E. Carlson ◽  
William S. Parker

Current and historic records of species occurrences in particular localities enable researchers to monitor changes in species distribution and abundance. While current fauna can be documented with sufficient effort, missing historical records represent data that can never again be obtained. It is with this importance in mind that we report for the first time records of eight reptile species in Montgomery County, Indiana, USA, that were documented in 1964, though no vouchered specimens persist. These species include: Sternotherus odoratus, Terrapene carolina carolina, Chrysemys picta marginata, Apalone spinifera spinifera, Thamnophis sauritus sauritus, Storeria dekayi wrightorum, Lampropeltis calligaster, Lampropeltis triangulum. We also provide a list of the 23 currently documented reptile species that occur (or have occurred recently) in Montgomery County.


2020 ◽  
Vol 250 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Smith Paredes ◽  
Arianna Lord ◽  
Dalton Meyer ◽  
Bhart‐Anjan S. Bhullar

Behaviour ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 154 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 1069-1079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey R. Smith ◽  
Jessica E. Rettig ◽  
John B. Iverson

Laterality has been found in a variety of reptiles. In turtles, one important behaviour is the righting response. Here, we studied laterality of righting response of two species of freshwater turtles, the Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) and the Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus). We found evidence of individual-level laterality in righting response inC. picta, but notS. odoratus. Neither species showed evidence of population-level laterality in righting response. Our results suggest that there is variation in the extent of laterality of righting response in turtles. Possible explanations for variation in laterality of righting response in turtles include shell shape and use of terrestrial habitats. However, more species of turtles need to be examined to demonstrate any general patterns in laterality of righting response in turtles.


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