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This work aims to confirm the presence of freshwater turtles in the Reserva Ecológica Ciudad Universitaria-Costanera Norte, to assess whether there are monthly variations in the relative abundance of any of the observed species and to study their behavior and habitat use. We conducted weekly observations from October 2022 to June 2023 at four sites in the wetland (HI1, HI2, HI3 and HC), between 12:00 and 16:00 h. The observed turtles were identified and categorized based on behavior as resting, displacing and feeding. Variations in relative abundance were analyzed per site using the Kruskal-Wallis test, applying BenjaminiHochberg post-hoc contrasts when differences were found between months. We detected the presence of Phrynops hilarii, Trachemys dorbigni and Hydromedusa tectifera, with P. hilarii being the most abundant and frequent. No significant relative abundance differences were found for P. hilarii between months in HI2 (χ² =13.78; P=0.088) and HI3 (χ² =7.28; P=0.507). However, there was a higher relative abundance in December compared to May (z=-3.17; P.adj=0.028) and April (z=-3.17; P.adj=0.028) in HI1, and in October than November (z=-2.99; P.adj=0.017), December (z=-2.99; P.adj=0.017), January (z=-2.99; P.adj=0.017), February (z=-2.99; P.adj=0.017), March (z=-2.99; P.adj=0.017) and June (z=-2.99; P.adj=0.017) for HC. Resting and displacement behaviors were observed at all four sites, while feeding behavior was only observed in HI2 and HI3. We defined resting areas in HI1 and HC, resting and feeding areas in HI2 and HI3 and transit areas in HI1, HI2 and HI3. We propose management measures to ensure the conservation of turtles in the reserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The High Court of Justice of Castilla y León rejected an administrative appeal filed by an individual who requested to breed Mediterranean turtles in the province of Salamanca. The regional administration considered that the species is threatened and only allows breeding in captivity with the aim of reintroducing them into nature within approved conservation programs. The court stated that animals born and raised in captivity are also subject to protection and that the CITES agreement does not prevent stricter measures to protect endangered species. The importance of obtaining the corresponding authorization from the autonomous community is emphasized, even with CITES certificates. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Zephyrus is the property of Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The editorial article titled "Tolerance to anoxia and stress in sea turtles" discusses the ability of sea turtles to survive in conditions of oxygen deprivation. These animals can stay at the bottom of lakes or ponds for weeks at low temperatures. Studies have identified the expression of genes that explain this adaptation in freshwater turtles. In addition, sea turtles have highly elastic and resistant lungs, high oxygen diffusion capacity in the lungs, and the ability to adjust their specific gravity to regulate buoyancy. They can also store large amounts of oxygen, allowing them to reduce time spent at the surface. The article also mentions the biology of sea turtles, including their reproduction, migration, and feeding, and highlights their importance in marine ecosystems. [Extracted from the article]

Objective. Evaluate different venipuncture points and the use of two anticoagulants to obtain blood samples in turtles. Materials and methods. Eighty-two turtles of the species Trachemys callirostris, Podocnemis unifilis and Chelonoidis carbonaria were sampled. Three venipuncture points were evaluated: subcarapacial venous sinus, dorsal coccygeal vein, and jugular vein. Two anticoagulants were tested: sodium heparin and EDTA. Results. The jugular vein was the best place to practice venipuncture as the blood samples obtained were free of hemodilution and enough volume to carry out a blood profile. In contrast, samples from the other venipuncture points were usually hemodiluted. Blood samples from C. carbonaria stored with EDTA (40 µl/ml of blood) showed haemolisis, which was not observed using sodium heparin (100 UI/ml of blood) as anticoagulant. Conclusions. The jugular vein is the most recommended venipuncture site for the extraction of blood samples for clinical purposes. Sodium heparin was the best anticoagulant to store blood samples due to the fact that it does not induce haemolisis in any sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As participants of ecosystems, sea turtles face a wide range of environmental and anthropogenic factors that can cause damage, injury, disease and in serious cases, death. Among the diseases, fibropapillomatosis is the most studied condition in these chelonians. This disease is characterized by the presence and development of benign epithelial tumors that can affect a diseased turtle, It is associated with an infection by chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5, and in severe cases can be fatal to turtles. This document aimed to review the current knowledge on fibropapillomatosis in sea turtles and propose functional and validated tools for its identification, management, treatment and rehabilitation. The gathered information allows to identify the characteristics of the tumors that occur during this disease in sea turtles, which will allow to act in fibropapillomatosis events at the national and international level. The generated information will help complement sea turtle health assessments, as well as strengthen the management plans and generate the pertinent conservation strategies for these species and the ecosystems where they are distributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad is the property of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Zephyrus is the property of Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Body size, growth, and longevity in Northern Map Turtles (Graptemys geographica) from Dewart Lake in northern Indiana were studied from 1979 to 2016. Based on captures of 214 males {72 recaptures) and 99 females {40 recaptures), we generated von Bertalanffy growth equations which corroborated our growth curves based on counts of plastral growth rings and recaptured turtles. Females diverge from males in their faster growth by the end of their second season. Our oldest females were only 18-20 seasons old, and the oldest males were only 13-15 seasons old, suggesting a short generation time and a possible sexual difference in longevity. For the species, we detected no latitudinal pattern of size or age at maturity but found some support for a latitudinal increase in body size in accordance with Bergmann's Rule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinosternon chimalhuaca (Jalisco Mud Turtle) is a kinosternid turtle endemic to Mexico. The previously recorded maximun carapace length (CL) is 160 mm in males and 130 mm in females. It has a small distribution range along the Pacific coast of Jalisco and Colima, Mexico, from the rio Tuito in Jalisco to the rio Cihuatlán in northwestern Colima. This new record in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, extends its distribution at least 32 km north from the northernmost known locality. A new maximun size (CL) for the species of 172.00 mm (one male) is recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a long history of turtle hunting in the Greater Caribbean, especially in Colombian waters around the archipelago of San Andrés and Providence. This article is focused on Colombia's efforts to affirm its national borders and to strengthen its control over its territorial waters and on how the new regulations that these measures entail affect turtle hunters in the Caribbean Sea. Using travel stories, newspapers from Jamaica, Colombia and the United States, as well as diplomatic correspondence, interviews and secondary sources, this study analyzes the national and regional implications of these problems. This makes it possible to conclude that the islanders, in the company of Colombian officials, attempted to defend their insular territory and its maritime borders against both real and imaginary threats. Their efforts were aimed at restricting the extraction of marine resources within the country's territorial waters, as part of the government's interest in reinforcing the integrity of the Colombian nation-state in the Caribbean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Orinoquia is the property of Universidad de los Llanos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rhinoclemmys nasuta (Testudines:Geoemydidae) is considered an almost endemic specie to Colombia and the most primitive species of Rhynoclemmys. However, it is classified data deficient by IUCN because the available information is not enough to make a direct or indirect assessment of its extinction risk. Here, we describe the implementation of the method to analyze the mitochondrial DNA control sequence (mtDNA) of R. nasuta in order to generate tools for future studies in systematics and population conservation. Genomic mtDNA was extracted by salting-out from blood samples from Isla Palma and Playa Chucheros (Bahía Málaga-Colombian Pacific Coast) and we used a pair of degenerate primers (reported for Chrysemys picta, Testudines:Emydidae) to perform amplification. Fragments of 800pb were obtained and the sequencing reaction was effective. A homology percentage above of 92 % was established between the obtained sequences and mtDNA sequences from Sacalia quadriocellata (Testudines:Geoemydidae),and Cuora aurocapitata (Testudines:Geoemydidae) reported in the GenBank. This result shows that the described method can be a useful tool for the study of R. nasuta populations in the Colombian Pacific region, achieving an effective sequencing of the mtDNA control region of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterization of the genetic diversity of Rhinoclemmys nasuta population inhabits Isla Palma (Malaga Bay, Valle del Cauca) was carried out using three microsatellite systems (Cm72, Cm58 and Cm3). In this locality, individuals of R. nasuta are widely distributed in the inland streams and creeks system. 100 to 200 mL of peripheral blood was taken off from ten turtles in five streams of the island, preserving samples in a 0.5 M EDTA. DNA was extracted using Salting-out and Chelex solution techniques. PCR amplified products were visualized and measured in polyacrylamide gels stained with silver nitrate. Successful amplification products were obtained for all systems analyzed, two of which (Cm72 and Cm3) were found to be monomorphic, while the system Cm58 had a high PIC (0.698) allowing to estimate the genetic diversity of this population. The observed heterozygosity was low (Ho = 0.26) and inbreeding indices FIS and FIT were high (0.67857 and 0.67881), indicating an excess of homozygotes in each of the rivers and for the all population. The molecular analysis of variance suggested that there is no difference in genetic structure of the population (FST = 0.00075, p= 0.95112). Therefore, the results suggest that the genetic diversity of R. nasuta population in Isla Palma was low and exhibited a highly inbred index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colombia has a remarkable diversity of tortoises and freshwater turtles. However, a considerable portion of these species is threatened, and for others there is not enough information to make an adequate evaluation of their conservation status. This study is a first approximation to the quantitative evaluation of the geographic distribution of Colombia's non-marine chelonians. Based on records of occurrence for each species, we evaluated the geographic distribution using statistical models (Maxent), hydrological basins, and the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy. Based on the presence data and the models, we studied the representation of each species in National Natural Parks (NNP), which correspond to the most rigorous conservation category of IUCN classification in Colombia, and other types of protected areas such as Private Reserves. We generated distribution models and estimated the area (km2) for 25 out of 27 species in the country. This information will be valuable for updating and evaluating the threat categories at the national level. The areas with the highest species richness correspond to the riverine ecosystems of the Amazon and Orinoco river basins and the Caribbean region, particularly the western Caribbean. This region is a top priority not only because of its richness but also because of the presence of endemics and its high level of threat. Only 56 % of the species have confirmed records within National Parks. A greater portion could be present in these areas according to the statistical models, but only ten of those species would have more than 10 % of their ranges within a park's boundary. Although the resulting models have certain limitations due to the nature of the data and analyses, they can be a starting point for research on the occurrence of turtles in NNP. Endemic species are poorly represented in protected areas, both in NNP and in other categories. Thus, protected areas that can assure the persistence of their populations are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mexico is a biodiverse country in several taxa as reptiles, that include several species of freshwater and marine turtles. Eventhough most of this group species are under protection, Tabasco State has nine native freshwater turtles, like Kinosternon leucostomum, Trachemys scripta and Staurotypus triporcatus that are very important in traditional dishes. This has resulted in a critical level of their populations, together with little biological knowledge for their conservation. Therefore, this study was dedicated to turtle cytogenetics. The study was conducted using the conventional methods for cytogenetics. The results showed the modal diploid and haploid number for K. leucostomum of 2n=56 (2n=56+3 microchromosomes "B") and 1n=28 chromosomes in mitosis and meiosis, respectively. In T. scripta 2n=50 chromosomes (2n=50+2 microchromosomes "B") and 1n=25 chromosomes were also characterized. Whereas in S. triporcatus we only report the 2=54 chromosomes (2n=54+2 microchromosomes "B"). The karyological formula for K. leucostomum was integrated by 12 metacentric-submetacentric chromosomes "msm"/"A"+22 subtelocentrictelocentric chromosomes "stt"/"B"+22 telocentric chromosomes "T"/"C" with fundamental number (FN) of 90 chromosome arms. While T. scripta karyotype was integrated by 32 "msm/"A"+10 "stt"/"B"+8"T/"C" chromosomes, with FN of 92 arms. S. triporcatus karyotype formula was built up by 20 chromosomes "msm"/"A"+34 chromosomes "T"/"C" with FN of 74. The variation in chromosome classification, the fundamental number and the presence of supernumerary microchromosomes "B" in the studied species, were evidence of a particular chromosome cytotypes in Tabasco. We considered that the presence of microchromosomes "B" probably has different origins, and they may be very important as a pattern for the formation or separation of new species. This study also showed the absence of heterologous chromosomes between the females and males karyotypes from the studied species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For millennia the turtles and tortoises have been part of the mythical universe of several human cultures. In consequence, the empirical knowledge of oral transmission, the contextualized use, and the symbolic meaning of these animals exceed in antiquity and extension to the academic knowledge on them, which has not impeded, however, that chelonians are currently the most threatened vertebrates on the Earth. This paper deals with the work of explorers and naturalists who laid the foundations of the South American herpetology, in general, and the cheloniology, in particular, with emphasis in Argentina. The work of Marcos Freiberg is recognized as pivotal to the development of the scientific study of the chelonians in this country. Lastly, the progress of cheloniology in recent decades is summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of CES Medicina Veterinaria & Zootecnica is the property of Universidad CES and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Investigaciones Veterinarias del Peru is the property of Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Olive Ridley is a worldwide distributed species with high nesting production per season, and in La Escobilla Oaxaca, México, there is a 70% of non-hatched eggs that are lost. In order to evaluate their potential use as a source for human and animal food products, their chemical composition was analyzed. Lyophilized egg samples from 25 turtles were obtained and were analyzed following the analytical methods for fatty acids, protein, fat, ash, moisture, amino acids, vitamins, cholesterol and microbiological agents. The analytical composition obtained was (g/100g): moisture (4.7), ash (3.8), protein (53.7), and fat (47.4). The essential amino acid (g aa/100g protein) content was: Ile (4.4), Lys (6.6), Leu (7.4), Met+Cys (8.8), Phe+Tyr (10.8). The vitamin content was: retinol (340µg/100g), cholecalciferol (5.9µg/100g) and 8.6mg/100 tocopherol, 0.3mg/100g thiamine and 1.1mg/100g riboflavin. The total lipid content (TL), fatty acids (FA), and cholesterol (Chol) were divided into three groups based on the weight of the turtle: (TL) (44.3-48.7-49.1g/100g) and (Chol) (518.4-522.5mg/100g-728.7). A total of 17 Saturated FA (SFA), 8 Monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and 11 Polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) were identified. The most abundant SFA (mg/100g) were: C14:0 (445-772), C16:0 (485-1263); MUFA: C16:1 (456-716), C18:1n-9c (904-1754), and PUFA: C20:4n-6 (105-217); two n-3 fatty acids were identified EPA (48-103) and DHA (97-189). There were significant differences (Fisher, p<0.05) for: (Chol), total FA, SFA, MUFA, PUFAs and n-3 (EPA + DHA) FA. It was not detected any microbiological agent. In conclusion, lyophilized L. olivacea eggs are an option for its inclusion in the development of food products as they can be used as a high quality biological protein and n-3 fatty acid source for fortification and enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To determine the presence of Salmonella sp., in aquatic environment of Crocodylus intermedius and testudines at the Estación de Biología Tropical Roberto Franco (EBTRF). Materials and methods. Standard methodology was used to isolate Salmonella sp., from water and sediment samples of 52 ponds (nponds Crocodylus=25; nponds testudines=27). Salmonella, isolates were serotyped by the Kaufmann-White conventional method and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by Kirby Bauer technique. Results. The presence of Salmonella sp., was found in 33% of the ponds checked, of which 29% corresponded to serogroup B. Serogrups C, C1, C2 and D1 were detected in a lower percentage. By means of the antimicrobial susceptibility test, 100% of isolates were sensitive to norfloxacin. Conclusions. The predominant presence of Salmonella sp., at EBTFF ponds, corresponded to serogroup B (33%), including species of widely zoonotic characteristics. According to the results, it is necessary to establish biosafety standards at the Estación de Biología Tropical Roberto Franco to avoid zoonotic problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil material of turtles from San Buenaventura Nealtican, Puebla is described and commented. According to its morphologic characteristics this material is referred to the genus Trachemys, which represents the first fossil record of this genus for the State of Puebla and a new locality with herpetofauna for the Pleistocene of Puebla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To analyze the feeding behavior of 50 Peltocephalus dumerilianus hatchlings (Testudines Podocnemididae) under different temperature conditions in laboratory. Materials and methods. The individuals for this experiment were obtained by incubation in the laboratory. They were divided randomly into 5 groups. Temperature trials were conducted for 2 months with 3 repetitions per week, using electric heaters. Temperatures were recorded continuously using a digital thermometer - 10 to + 60°C (± 0.1°C). Temperatures were increased 0.25°C every 10 minutes until reaching the selected temperature, which was then maintained for 60 minutes for each test. The temperatures selected for tests, were 260C, 30°C, 34°C, 38°C, with an ambient temperature of 26.8°C. We evaluated: feeding duration (in minutes), consumption (in volume), the time which turtles began agonistic behavior, and two characteristic displays: biting and disputes over food. Results. In general all parameters were significant, the higher the temperature the longer the time of ingestion; the lower the temperature the lower the consumption volume; the lower the temperature the greater the time to initiation of agonistic behavior, demonstrating an inverse relationship. Conclusions. There was a direct relationship between environmental temperature and feeding processes. Temperature was also related to basic aspects of behavior during agonistic displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to determine the capability of the vibrio mimicus to penetrate the turtle egg shell. The study was conducted at the Centro Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos in year 2000. This was done by inoculating the surface of the shell with the bacteria and incubating the samples for 72 hours at 25°C. After incubation, samples were analyzed using electronic microscopy. Results show that vibrio mimicus grows on the surface of the egg shell but cannot penetrate it after 72 hours of incubation at 25°C. Therefore, any treatment to reduce or eliminate the risk of vibrio mimicus and improve turtle egg sanitation should be applied externally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of the reproductive success of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) using as indicators quantitative descriptors of the final phase of incubation was carried out in Antonio, Perjuicio and Caleta de los Piojos nesting beaches, located in the Biosphere Reserve and National Park "Peninsula of Guanahacabibes", Cuba. Eight indicators of the reproductive success (clutch size, duration of incubation period, hatchlings emergence success, percent eggs without embryos, percent of embryo mortality, percent predation, percents of anomalies and percent of hatching mortality) were compared between beaches and between nesting zones A, B and C for each beach. There were significant differences between beach zones for survival and for eggs without embryo. Between beaches there were different predation levels. The incubation period differed as a function of the interaction between beaches and between zones. The fact that significant differences between the study sites were found for indicators such as survival (the lowest value in the A zone) or the percentage of eggs without embryo (the highest value in the A zone), together with the fact that the smallest number of nests occurred in this zone, corroborates the notion that green turtles have fixed a preference for areas with the most appropriate conditions for the reproductive success. On the other hand, high rates of hatchling emergence together with low mortality and anomalies in the three beaches indicates the presence of conditions that favor the reproductive success in the study area as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feeding habits of Herrera's mud turtle (Kinosternon herrerai) were studied from October 1999 through September 2000 in the southern limits of its range, in streams near Xalapa, Veracruz. Turtles were captured by hand and using baited traps, and stomach contents were flushed with water from 48 adults. Frequency of occurrence, numeric frequency, and volume percentage of 21 food items found by examination of stomach contents showed that this turtle primarily consumed decapod crustaceans (Procambarus sp.), animal material, plant material, adult anurans (Eleutherodactylus sp. Rana sp., and Bufo marinus), Ficus sp. fruits, dragonfly larvae, and anuran tadpoles. These turtles are omnivorous, but ingested a higher proportion of animal material than plant (females 92% vs. 52%; males 85.7% vs. 52.4%). Kinosternon herrerai is a generalist feeder throughout all seasons showing an opportunistic response in the exploitation of some food items such as anuran eggs. Trophic diversity of both sexes varied among seasons (Herrera's diversity index: 2.77 to 16.65 for females, and 3.3 to 15.24 for males),yet females showed some seasonal diet specialization during summer, and males during spring and winter, when trophic diversity values were lower for each sex. Diet similarity between males and females were measured using the simplified Morisita index was higher in summer and winter (0.67 and 0.66) compared to spring and fall (0.60 and 0.55), suggesting some seasonal resource partitioning takes place between males and females in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study about the behavior of green turtles females (Chelonia mydas) was performed during the nesting season in Guanahacabibes Peninsula, located in the western region of Cuba. The number of arrivals and nestings were compared by beach, year, fortnightly and by range of hours of the night. They were compared also in relation with moon phases, sea tides and zones of the beach. Arrivals and nestings occurred mainly during the years 2000 and 2002, with a pick in July, witch appears sooner or later depending on the beach. The range of the night with the largest number of arrival was between 22:00 2:00 hours, mostly before the occurrence of the hide tide nearest to the time of the arrival. Nestings were made, in most of the cases, in the C zone (near or in the vegetation). No relation was found between the arrivals and the moon phases, it was found with the presence or absence of the moon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of endemic species allows to delimit areas of endemismo in order to characterize biogeographic regions over the world; the latter are useful to recognize historical processes that could affect the biota. The objective of this work is to determine the areas of endemism of continental, terrestrial and freshwater turtles in the Neotropical region (N = 64 species). A Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE) was carried out, which allowed to recognize 5 areas, two located in Mexico and three in South America. Three secondary areas were also identified in México and one in the north of South America. Secondary areas are definied by the presence of one endemic species with restricted geographic distribution. While comparing the pattern of areas of endemism obtained for turtles, to those definied using different methods, for other unrelated taxa. We observed that the pattern is not random. The common pattern could have originated due to the effect of congruent historical and ecological processes that affected the Neotropical region as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This note provides the first accurate record of the ornate slider Trachemys ornata for state of Jalisco, Mexico. Two females were recorded from Puerto Vallarta. From these records the distribution range of T. ornata is expanded to northern coast of Jalisco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]