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Disagreement exists on the taxonomic identity of the extant populations of the Australian Elseya referred to in 1992 as the gulf Elseya (= Elseya sp. aff. dentata [Nicholson]). The extant form has since 1997 been considered conspecific with the late Pleistocene fossil Elseya lavarackorum (White and Archer, 1994). Recently it has been considered a new species, Elseya oneirosJoseph-Ouni et al., 2020, conspecific with another fossil found in the same site and stratum as Elseya lavarackorum. Here we re-examine the fossil material and reassess the characters used by previous authors in an attempt to decide the issue. We find that the anterior bridge suture with the carapace of the fossil Elseya lavarackorum is associated with extensive and prominent plastral elements, which has led to misinterpretation of characters associated with this structure. We furthermore show that interindividual variation in sulci patterns is so great as to render them of little taxonomic value. On the basis of (a) deviation of the anterior shape of the carapace from ovoid such that, in aged individuals, the most anterior point of the carapace occurs at marginal scutes M2 (a resultant nuchal bay occurs in such individuals); (b) the typical absence of a cervical scute; (c) no evidence of a medial constriction in the anterior bridge strut suture; and (d) absence of evidence of any other informative variation of taxonomic value; we conclude that the decision to consider the late Pleistocene (ca 23 kyr old) fossil and the extant Elseya sp. aff. dentata [Nicholson] as Elseya lavarackorum (White and Archer, 1994) as conspecific should stand.

Uncertainty about taxonomy and nomenclature of the Australian long-necked turtle Chelodina oblonga has ensued since its description by Gray in 1841. This has been due to the general nature of information about provenance of the lectotype specimen and the ostensible morphological similarity of the specimen to another taxon from northern Australia that confused Gray and many subsequent workers. The south-western Australian provenance of the specimen has recently been confirmed by Shea et al. (2020). The present paper provides a detailed consideration of morphology of the specimen and compares it with other specimens available to Gray and to larger series that are now available. The study elucidates morphological aspects that have underlain the history of confusion and it highlights a number of characters that consistently differentiate adults of the relevant taxa. These demonstrate that morphology of the C. oblonga lectotype conforms with the taxon from the south-west of Western Australia, as has also been confirmed by recently published investigations of mitogenomics and historical information about provenance of the lectotype.

Aquatic animals, such as freshwater turtles, are much dependent on the water bodies where they live. Here we describe the size distribution of a population of Phrynopsgeoffroanus complex that died after the total drought of the artificial water reservoir where it lived in Caatinga. Amongst the 438 animals we found dead in the Cedro water reservoir, we measured the maximum carapace length of 72 individuals. The population was mainly composed of adult individuals and dead turtles measured in areas that kept water for longer were larger than animals from areas that dried up early.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:30:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-05-01 The matamatas (Chelus fimbriata and the recently described Chelus orinocensis) are the largest species in the family Chelidae, easily identified by their distinct morphological characteristics. The matamatas have a wide distribution in South America, occurring in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Peru, and Venezuela, as well as Trinidad and Tobago. However, there are many gaps in the knowledge of its distribution. The objective of this study was to present new records of occurrence for the C. fimbriata species complex and describe the area of distribution. We compiled data from published papers, databases in museums and other scientific collections, and research institutes and conservation organizations. From these data we mapped the species distribution, considering 3 types of river drainages based on water color in the Amazon Basin. We added 182 new records in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru, demonstrating that the C. fimbriata species complex has a wide distribution, totaling 6,907,551 kmacross all 3 river types. Most records were concentrated in areas lower than 200 m above sea level. Centro de Estudos de Quelônios da Amazônia/CEQUA Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa da Amazônia/INPA, AM Wildlife Conservation Society Brazil Program, AM Programa de Capacitação Institucional (PCI) Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi/Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Do Pantanal/MPEG/INPP, MT Coordenação de Biodiversidade Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa da Amazônia/INPA, AM Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho Faculdade de Ciências de Bauru Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, SP Núcleo de Altos Estudos Amazônicos/NAEA Universidade Federal Do Pará/UFPA, PA Museo de Historia Natural la Salle Fundación la Salle de Ciencias Naturales, Apartado Postal 1930 Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioprospecção Molecular Universidade Regional Do Cariri/URCA, CE Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, AM Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Répteis e Anfíbios/RAN Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade/ICMBio, GO Universidade Federal Do Tocantins, Quadra 109 Norte, TO Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia Aquática e Pesca/PPGEAP Universidade Federal Do Pará/UFPA, PA Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho Faculdade de Ciências de Bauru Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, SP

The identity of Chelodina oblonga has been unclear because it has been variously defined to include populations of snake-necked chelid turtle from the southwest of Western Australia, across northern Australia, Cape York and southern New Guinea in its broadest conception, from just the northern part of this range (northern Australia and New Guinea), or restricted to the southwest corner of Western Australia in its narrowest conception. Uncertainty over the identity of the type specimens has added to the confusion. In this paper, we review the historical data on the extent of the type series of Chelodina oblonga, and its potential provenance, and find evidence that resolves some of the inconsistencies in previous literature on the identification of the type. Our analysis casts doubt on the northern Australian provenance of the type material. Hence, we return the name C. oblonga to the south-western species, in accordance with the genetic evidence for the provenance of the type in the Natural History Museum, London, and the external morphology of the type series. We designate a lectotype for the species, and redefine the subgeneric names that apply to the Australasian genus Chelodina, providing a new subgeneric name for one lineage.

Dynamic energy budget (DEB) theory provides a generalised way to quantify how an organism assimilates and utilizes energy throughout its life cycle. Over 800 DEB models have been created to date, typically under the assumption of constant food supply. The Critically Endangered, semi-aquatic western swamp turtle occupies an ephemeral wetland environment in which food resources fluctuate from abundant to absent with the seasonal filling and drying of swamps. Approximately six months of each year are spent in aestivation underground when the swamps are dry and conditions are warm. We estimated DEB parameters for the western swamp turtle with the explicit incorporation of these seasonal fluctuations in food and temperature. A metabolic depression factor was applied during the aestivation stage, without which turtles lost both mass and length, and reserves were insufficient to reach puberty. The swamp turtle had a very high Arrhenius temperature, being almost 2.5-fold greater than that of the other Testudine species for which there are DEB models (typical Arrhenius temperatures are around 8000 K; western swamp turtle is 19,371 K). It also had the second highest somatic maintenance costs of the reptiles in the DEB ‘Add My Pet’ collection, and the highest for Testudines. We explore these results in context of the “waste to hurry” hypothesis, which we suggest may apply for this species. We also consider how a DEB model for this species might be applied in its future conservation and management.

Species distribution models (SDMs) are increasingly used to assess how ecological factors shape species distributions and diversification. Chelid turtles represent the richest family of chelonians in South America. Given the distributional disjunction and distinct habitats of four Acanthochelys species, we explored SDMs and niche overlap metrics between species pairs to evaluate the extent to which niche divergence or conservatism may have contributed to their geographic distribution patterns. None of the species pairs presented patterns consistent with niche conservatism suggesting that these species have different environmental requirements. However, when comparing species pairs co-occurring in the same watershed, results were conflicting. Niche divergence detected among Acanthochelys species indicate an interaction between ecological niche preference and geographical barriers for allopatric speciation. This interaction implies that ecological differentiation contributed to the diversification of Acanthochelys side-necked turtles that occur in South American freshwater environments.

Pan-Chelidae (Testudines, Pleurodira) is a group of side-necked turtles with a currently disjointed distribution in South America and Australasia and characterized by two morphotypes: the long-necked and the short-necked chelids. Both geographic groups include both morphotypes, but different phylogenetic signals are obtained from morphological and molecular data, suggesting the monophyly of the long-necked chelids or the independent evolution of this trait in both groups. In this paper, we addressed this conflict by compiling and editing available molecular and morphological data for Pan-Chelidae, and performing phylogenetic and dating analyses over the individual and the combined datasets. Our total-evidence phylogenetic analysis recovered the clade Chelidae as monophyletic and as sister group of a clade of South American extinct chelids; furthermore Chelidae retained inside the classical molecular structure with the addition of extinct taxa in both the Australasian and the South American clades. Our dating results suggest a Middle Jurassic origin for the total clade Pan-Chelidae, an Early Cretaceous origin for Chelidae, a Late Cretaceous basal diversification of both geographic clades with the emergence of long-necked lineages, and an Eocene diversification at genera level, with the emergence of some species before the final breakup of Southern Gondwana and the remaining species after this event. Fil: Holley Reguiló, Juan Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral; Argentina Fil: Sterli, Juliana. Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Basso, Néstor G.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral; Argentina

The matamata is one of the most charismatic turtles on earth, widely distributed in northern South America. Debates have occurred over whether or not there should be two subspecies or species recognized due to its geographic variation in morphology. Even though the matamata is universally known, its natural history, conservation status and biogeography are largely unexplored. In this study we examined the phylogeographic differentiation of the matamata based on three mitochondrial DNA fragments (2168 bp of the control region, cytochrome oxidase subunit I, and the cytochrome b gene), one nuclear genomic DNA fragment (1068 bp of the R35 intron) and 1661 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Our molecular and morphological analyses revealed the existence of two distinct, genetically deeply divergent evolutionary lineages of matamatas that separated in the late Miocene (approximately 12.7 million years ago), corresponding well to the time when the Orinoco Basin was established. As a result of our analyses, we describe the genetically and morphologically highly distinct matamata from the Orinoco and Rio Negro Basins and the Essequibo drainage as a species new to science (Chelus orinocensis sp. nov.). Chelus fimbriata sensu stricto is distributed in the Amazon Basin and the Mahury drainage. Additionally, the analyses revealed that each species displays phylogeographic differentiation. For C. orinocensis, there is moderate mitochondrial differentiation between the Orinoco and the Rio Negro. For C. fimbriata, there is more pronounced differentiation matching different river systems. One mitochondrial clade was identified from the Amazon, Ucayali, and Mahury Rivers, and another one from the Madeira and Jaci Parana Rivers. The C. orinocensis in the Essequibo and Branco Rivers have haplotypes that constitute a third clade clustering with C. fimbriata. Phylogenetic analyses of the R35 intron and SNP data link the matamatas from the Essequibo and Branco with the new species, suggesting past gene flow and old mitochondrial introgression. Chelus orinocensis is collected for the pet trade in Colombia and Venezuela. However, neither the extent of the harvest nor its impact are known. Hence, it is crucial to gather more information and to assess its exploitation throughout its distribution range to obtain a better understanding of its conservation status and to design appropriate conservation and management procedures. Resumen La matamata es una de las tortugas mas carismaticas del mundo, ampliamente distribuida en el norte de Sudamerica. Debido a su variacion morfologica geografica, se debate sobre el reconocimiento de dos subespecies o especies. A pesar de que la matamata es universalmente conocida, su historia natural, estado de conservacion y biogeografia han sido muy poco estudiados. En este estudio examinamos la diferenciacion filogeografica de las matamatas en base ​​a tres fragmentos de ADN mitocondrial (2168 pb de la region de control, la subunidad I del citocromo oxidasa y el gen del citocromo b), un fragmento de ADN genomico nuclear (1068 pb del intron R35) y 1661 polimorfismos de nucleotido unico (SNPs). Nuestros analisis moleculares y morfologicos revelaron la existencia de dos linajes evolutivos distintos de matamatas, geneticamente divergentes que se separaron en el Mioceno tardio (hace aproximadamente 12.7 millones de anos), correspondiendo al tiempo en que se establecio la cuenca del Orinoco. Como resultado de nuestros analisis, describimos las geneticamente y morfologicamente distintas matamatas de las cuencas del Orinoco, Rio Negro y Essequibo como una especie nueva para la ciencia (Chelus orinocensis sp. nov.). Chelus fimbriata sensu stricto se distribuye en la cuenca del Amazonas y en el drenaje del Mahury. Adicionalmente, los analisis revelaron que cada especie muestra diferenciacion filogeografica. Para C. orinocensis, hay una moderada diferenciacion mitocondrial entre el Orinoco y el Rio Negro. Para C. fimbriata, hay una diferenciacion mas pronunciada, concordando con los diferentes sistemas fluviales. Se identifico un clado de los rios Amazonas, Ucayali y Mahury y otro de los rios Madeira y Jaci Parana. Las C. orinocensis de los rios Essequibo y Branco tienen haplotipos que constituyen un tercer clado que se agrupa con C. fimbriata. Los analisis filogeneticos del intron R35 y los datos de SNP asocian las matamatas de Essequibo y Branco con la nueva especie, sugiriendo flujo de genes pasado ​​e introgresion mitocondrial antigua. Chelus orinocensis se colecta para el comercio de mascotas en Colombia y Venezuela. Sin embargo, ni se conoce el alcance de las colectas ni su impacto. Por lo tanto, es crucial recopilar mas informacion y evaluar su explotacion en todo su rango de distribucion, comprender mejor su estado de conservacion y para disenar acciones apropiadas de conservacion y manejo.

We developed forensic nuclear SNPs for the side-necked turtle, Phrynops geoffroanus, using next-generation sequencing-based genotyping. We created a reduced-representation library for 23 individuals representing four previously identified lineages of P. geoffroanus using the ddRAD methodology for sequencing on the IonTorrent PGM. We analyzed the sequence data using the Stacks pipeline. We found 811 loci containing 1380 private SNPs. Of these, 473 were fixed in lineages 1, 2 and 3, or with frequency >0.91 in lineage 4. Seventy-three SNPs could be useful for forensics purpose (assignment of individuals to lineage of origin) using traditional PCR-based genotyping methods.

Body size is an important parameter for ecology, reproduction, evolution, and development of animal species, besides understanding their taxonomic relationships and to establishing the relationships between individual size and shape. We evaluated the variation in body size traits, sexual dimorphism in populations of a turtle species Acanthochelys spixii across its distribution in Brazil and we described sex ratio in those populations. Description of the size-classes on these populations was also provided. We sampled 86 adults (16 in Minas Gerais (MG) and 70 in Rio Grande do Sul (RS)). The sex ratio was 1:1 in both sampling areas. Females were larger than males, and specimens from RS were larger than those from MG. The posterior-lobe width (PLW) was deemed the most significant sexing variable in a linear discriminant analysis of specimens within each state. Two variables, PLW and maximum carapace width, together distinguished the four groups (males and females in MG and RS) with 77% accuracy. Overall, most...

The description of Chelodina kuchlingi was based on a single holotype with the type locality Kalumburu in the northern Kimberley, Western Australia. Over the last decade, C. kuchlingi was variously considered a valid species, or its validity was questioned because the accuracy of the type locality was questioned, or it was listed as synonym of Chelodina rugosa. Serum-immunological data published 45 yrs ago, suggesting a sister species status of the then still-undescribed species to C. rugosa, were recently corroborated by mitochondrial DNA technology. Accordingly, in the most recent International Union for Conservation of Nature Draft Red List assessment, C. kuchlingi is considered to represent a valid, Data Deficient species. A review of documents from the 1960s demonstrates that mix-ups of collection data of various turtle specimens occurred between their collection in the Kimberley in 1965 and 1966 and their accession in the Western Australian Museum 9–24 mo later. Three specimens of C. kuchlingi, including the holotype, were evidently collected in 1965 at Parry Creek in the eastern Kimberley. An additional C. kuchlingi specimen was collected at this location in 1974. Turtle surveys in the Kalumburu area since 1974 have not recorded C. kuchlingi. The type locality of Chelodina kuchlingiCann 1997 is corrected accordingly and clarified as Parry Creek, lower Ord River floodplain, Kimberley, Western Australia (ICZN Recommend. 76A.2). The currently known distribution of C. kuchlingi is restricted to this site. Damming of the Ord River in the 1960s and 1970s and large-scale agricultural developments changed the hydrology of the floodplain and established an open channel connectivity close to the Victoria River catchment in the Northern Territory. Turtle collections and surveys in the Parry Creek area during the 21st Century have not detected C. kuchlingi and only recorded Chelodina walloyarrina and C. rugose–like specimens. Chelodina rugosa is widespread in the Northern Territory and Queensland but had never been recorded in the Kimberley prior to 2007. A targeted survey is urgently needed to investigate if a recent invasion by its common and widespread sister species is threatening the persistence of the rare and localized C. kuchlingi.

Freshwater turtles from 28 species representing 6 families, categorized as “wild,” “captive,” or “wild-caught, captive-raised,” were analyzed for the presence of intraerythrocytic, parasitic protozoa. Microscopic analyses of blood smears from 327 individual turtles revealed parasites in the blood of 29% of these individuals (n = 96), with levels of parasitemia ranging from 0.003% to 2.1%. SYBR ® Green–based quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmed these results with 29% overall prevalence (94 of 324), with 66% prevalence in the Geoemydidae, 26% prevalence in the Emydidae, and 23% prevalence in the Kinosternidae. No infections were detected in members of the Chelidae, Pelomedusidae, and Trionychidae. Prevalence was highest in wild turtles with 67%–100% from 7 locations, followed by wild-caught, captive-raised turtles with 4%–26% from 2 locations, while detections in captive turtles were zero in 2 locations and 3% in the remaining third location. Comparative sequence analyses of 583-bp amplicons of 18S rRNA gene fragments allowed us to identify 80 Haemogregarina infections and one Hemolivia infection. Parasites representing the genus Hepatozoon were not detected. Because parasites were generally detected in wild turtles and only rarely in captive turtles, captive breeding with subsequent release of turtles would seem to pose little risk to free-ranging turtles with regard to the spread of these parasites. On the contrary, wild turtles would be more likely sources of parasite transmission to captive populations if used in breeding programs.

Studying how different variables influence the size and shape of animals’ home ranges helps our understanding of the ecology of individuals and populations. This study aims to assess the effects of sex and body mass on home range size and the sexual differences in the use of terrestrial habitats of a population of aquatic turtles Phrynops geoffroanus from an urban area in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Turtles were captured along a river by active search, occasional encounter and hoop traps. Using individual VHF radio transmitters, 13 individuals (7 females and 6 males) were radio-tracked by homing in on the signal strength of the transmitter. Home ranges were estimated by 95% and 50% core one-dimensional fixed kernel and linear distance method. Home ranges were similar for both sexes (t = -0.50, DF = 12, p = 0.62) and independent of body mass (t = -0.53, DF = 12, p = 0.60). However, females seemed to use terrestrial habitats more than males (females = six recorded locations out of 767 points; males = none), probably to nest. To gain insight on how males and females use their space, it would be useful to focus future studies on the influence of sex in microhabitat selection of Phrynops geoffroanus. Finally, as sex did not influence home range, studying the contribution of other variables – both intrinsic, as age or personality, and extrinsic, as habitat composition or distribution of trophic resources – shaping the home ranges of the species is proposed.

To investigate the movement patterns and activity ofHydromedusa maximilianiin southeastern Brazil, sixteen adult freshwater turtles (eight males and eight females) were monitored with radio-transmitters from October 2009 to November 2010. An additional 22 turtles (11 males and 11 females) were monitored with thread-bobbins over a 3-day period.Hydromedusa maximilianishowed strong tendency to remain close to the river course. The distance moved each day varied from 0 to 179 m/day (radio-tracking) and 1.5 to 201 m/day (thread-bobbins). Males moved greater distances than females during the mating season (August to November), while females exhibited pronounced movements associated with egg-laying (December to February). Male and female movements did not differ significantly. Straight line distance measurements, usually obtained by radio-tracking, underestimate actual movement distances, since the nonlinearity of movements is not captured by radio-tracking as opposed to spool tracking, even when long distances are travelled. Results from this study are important for establishing conservation strategies for this vulnerable species.

Roads are detrimental to wildlife populations that require contiguous networks of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Many species of freshwater turtles are sensitive to habitat fragmentation caused by roads, and are susceptible to road mortality during overland migrations. The common long-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis) is an Australian freshwater turtle that frequently moves between wetlands, and so populations may incur negative impacts from road effects. Here, we assessed the relationship between C. longicollis and road density and landscape variables within populations inhabiting 20 wetlands distributed throughout greater Melbourne, Australia. The size frequency distribution of C. longicollis at sites surrounded by high road densities was skewed towards larger individuals, but there was no difference in the frequency of juveniles between high and low road density sites. Regression modelling revealed a clear positive relationship between road density and carapace length (CL) of C. longicollis; the mean CL at a site with the highest road density was predicted to be 23% greater than mean CL at a site surrounded by no roads. Female CL was also positively related to road density. There was a clear positive relationship between wetland age and CL, although this relationship was not as strong. While there was no relationship evident between road density and the proportion of female C. longicollis at a site, more females were captured at smaller ephemeral sites surrounded by a high proportion of green open space and located near drainage lines. We did not find evidence of sex-related differences in road effects. These results suggest that roads may be affecting C. longicollis in the study area, but the direct cause of any effects is difficult to identify.

Among the freshwater turtles recorded in Venezuela, 2 of the most enigmatic species for their scarcity and misleading distributional information are Mesoclemmys raniceps and Mesoclemmys nasuta. Based on the literature, only 3 records pertaining to these 2 species could confirm that they occur in Venezuela; however, a detailed study of the evidence demonstrates that the type of Hydraspis maculata (a synonym of M. raniceps), was not specifically collected in Venezuela and the other 2 records were an adult female of Mesoclemmys zuliae and a juvenile Mesoclemmys heliostemma. Our conclusion is that no records of M. nasuta or M. raniceps are known from Venezuela.

Hydromedusa maximiliani is a freshwater turtle endemic to the Atlantic Forest of eastern and southeastern Brazil and threatened by extinction. Here, we add 15 new locality records for this species based on photographs of specimens encountered in the field and examination of museum collections. We also used ecological niche modeling tools of 3 different algorithms (GARP, SVM, and Maxent) to suggest potential suitable areas for the occurrence of the species. Models predict 53,679–263,844 km2 of suitable habitat for H. maximiliani, with 8396–31,758 km2 inside protected areas. Besides being useful in a reassessment of the species' conservation status, our results contribute to the knowledge of distribution patterns of H. maximiliani and highlight potential areas to drive future field surveys.

Here we describe the northernmost South American record of fossil turtles from the late early Miocene to early middle Miocene of the Castilletes Formation, on the Alta Guajira Peninsula, Cocinetas basin, Colombia. Turtles in the lower segment of the Castilletes Formation (c. 16.33 Ma) are pleurodires or side-necked turtles belonging to Chelus colombiana Wood, Chelus sp., and Podocnemididae incertae sedis, and cryptodires or hidden-necked turtles attributed to Chelonoidis sp., all of them characterized by the large size of their shells, 1 meter or more total length. The middle segment of the formation (c. 14 Ma) contains specimens of Podocnemididae incertae sedis and Chelonoidis sp. The turtle fauna from Castilletes share taxa with faunas from La Venta (middle—late Miocene of Colombia), Urumaco, and Western Amazonia (late Miocene from Venezuela, Brazil, and Peru); all of these records indicate a wider geographical distribution for podocnemidids, chelids, and testudinids of tropical South America ...

Studies focusing on the natural history of species are essential for developing effective conservation measures and evaluating ecological hypotheses. To this end, we describe natural history data of the Cotinga River toadhead turtle, Phrynops tuberosus, in the Banabuiú River in Ceará, Brazil, and evaluated sexual dimorphism, epibionts, and mutilation effects. We hand-captured 134 individuals by snorkeling, over a period of one year, resulting in the capture of 94 males, 24 females, and 16 juveniles. Females had larger head width and body mass than males, while males had longer tail length. One quarter of the turtles captured had some sort of injury or deformation, most common injuries being missing claws, mutilations, and shell deformations. We found no difference in body condition index between mutilated and non-mutilated animals. Mollusks, insects, and leeches were found as epibionts on P. tuberosus and most of the captured turtles had extensive algal cover. Future studies should focus on understanding the effect of mutilations on animal fitness and reproductive success.

Pseudemydura umbrina is one of the most endangered turtle species in the world, and the imperative for its conservation is its distinctive morphology and relict status among the Chelidae. We use Illumina sequencing to obtain the complete mitogenome for resolving its uncertain phylogenetic position. A novel nuclear paralogue confounded the assembly, and resolution of the authentic mitogenome required further Sanger sequencing. The P. umbrina mitogenome is 16,414 bp comprising 37 genes organized in a conserved pattern for other vertebrates. The nuclear paralogue is 547 bp, 97.8% identity to the corresponding mitochondrial sequence. Particular features of the mitogenome include an nd3 174+1A frameshift, loss of DHC loop in tRNASer (AGN), and a light-strand replication initiation site in Wancy region that extends into an adjacent tRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis showed that P. umbrina is the monotypic sister lineage to the remaining Australasian Chelidae, a lineage probably dating back to the Cretaceous.

This study focuses on basking behaviour of Phrynops hilarii in the southernmost population of the species’ range. The objective was to determine how environmental features affect the basking behaviour of the species. We analyzed two years of data on the seasonal activity of the species for the same stream. We detected 389 P. hilarii basking, mostly alone (76.8%), and on logs and branches (79.3%), but large turtles used shorelines more frequently than did smaller turtles. Basking peaked during late winter and early spring. We found no correlation between the number of basking turtles and air, substrate or water temperatures. P. hilarii was active through all seasons, with activity peaking in summer, when temperature is highest but basking frequency is low. Type of substrate, time of day, and season are key factors that influence the basking behaviour of P. hilarii., Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet"

Hydromedusa maximiliani is a freshwater turtle endemic to the mountainous regions of the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. Using X-rays techniques, we provide the first substantial records of the species' reproductive biology in the wild. Twenty-six of 42 X-rayed females from 2007 to 2009 were ovigerous between September and December and 9 had eggs each year during the 3-yr period. Clutch size varied from 1 to 3, with 55% of females having 2 eggs. The smallest reproductive female was 100.2 mm in plastron length, corresponding to an age of about 13 yrs old. Significant positive correlation was verified between female body size and both egg size and clutch volume. Nesting was inferred to occur from late spring to early summer (November and December). These findings are important for management programs since this vulnerable species inhabits a threatened biodiversity hotspot.

We examined range-wide mitochondrial phylogeographical structure in the riverine freshwater turtle Chelodina expansa to determine whether this species exhibits deep genetic divergence between coastal and inland hydrological provinces, as seen in co-distributed freshwater taxa. We sequenced two mitochondrial loci, genealogical relationships were assessed using a network approach, and relationships among biogeographical regions were tested using analyses of molecular variance. Population history was evaluated using neutrality tests, indices of demographic expansion, and mismatch analyses. Twenty-one haplotypes were recovered across two mitochondrial haplogroups separated by approximately 4% nucleotide divergence. The haplogroups have discrete geographical boundaries but only partially support a hypothesis of deep divergence between coastal and inland bioregions. The first haplogroup comprises populations from the inland Murray-Darling Basin and from coastal catchments south of the Mary River in south-east Queensland. The second haplogroup comprises populations from coastal catchments north of the Mary River. Cryptic phylogeographical barriers separating adjacent coastal populations are congruent with those demonstrated for other freshwater taxa and may result from the combined influences of the Conondale Range and alluvial deposits at the mouth of the Mary River. The findings of the present study demonstrate that freshwater taxa commonly display genetic differentiation within a biogeographical region where no boundaries have been recognized, highlighting the need to uncover cryptic microbiogeographical regions to aid conservation of freshwater biota. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 111, 789–805.

Mesoclemmys raniceps is a medium-sized aquatic turtle widely distributed throughout the northern Amazon Basin in South America. Little information has been published about its reproductive...

Two new genera and species of freshwater turtle blood flukes (TBFs) are described herein based on specimens infecting the nephritic and mesenteric blood vessels of “matamatas” (a side-necked turtle, Chelus fimbriata [Schneider, 1783] [Pleurodira: Chelidae]) from the Amazon River Basin, Peru. These taxa comprise the first-named species and the first-proposed genera of freshwater TBFs from the continent of South America. A new comparison of all TBF genera produced 6 morphologically diagnosed groups that are discussed in light of previous TBF classification schemes and a novel phylogenetic hypothesis based on the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (28S). Considering external and internal anatomical features, species of the new genera (Atamatam Bullard and Roberts n. gen., Paratamatam Bullard and Roberts n. gen.) are most similar to each other and are together most similar to those of several marine TBF genera. The 28S phylogenetic analysis supported the monophyly of all 6 morphologically diagnosed groups of genera. Most notably, the freshwater TBFs of South America comprise a derived group nested within the clade that includes the paraphyletic marine TBFs. Not surprisingly in light of morphology, another marine TBF lineage (Neospirorchis Price, 1934) clustered with the freshwater TBFs of Baracktrema Roberts, Platt, and Bullard, 2016 and Unicaecum Stunkard, 1925. Our results, including an ancestral state reconstruction, indicated that (1) freshwater TBFs have colonized marine turtles twice independently and that (2) the South American freshwater TBFs comprise a marine-derived lineage. This is the first evidence that TBFs have twice independently transitioned from a marine to freshwater definitive host. Marine incursion is considered as a possible mechanism affecting the natural history of marine-derived freshwater TBFs in South America. A dichotomous key to accepted TBF genera is provided.

This study investigated the vertebral carapace structure of some Australian chelids to compare the skeletal anatomy of taxa that do not routinely have neurals with those that do. It also p...

The influence of Pleistocene climatic cycles on Southern Hemisphere biotas is not yet well understood. Australia's eastern coastal margin provides an ideal setting for examining the relative influence of landscape development, sea level fluctuation, and cyclic climatic aridity on the evolution of freshwater biodiversity. We examined the impact of climatic oscillations and physical biogeographic barriers on the evolutionary history of the wide-ranging Krefft's river turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii), using range-wide sampling (649 individuals representing 18 locations across 11 drainages) and analysis of mitochondrial sequences (∼1.3-kb control region and ND4) and nuclear microsatellites (12 polymorphic loci). A range of phylogeographic (haplotype networks, molecular dating), demographic (neutrality tests, mismatch distributions), and population genetic analyses (pairwise F ST, analysis of molecular variance, Bayesian clustering analysis) were implemented to differentiate between competing demographic (local persistence vs. range expansion) and biogeographic (arid corridor vs. drainage divide) scenarios. Genetic data reveal population genetic structure in Krefft's river turtles primarily reflects isolation across drainage divides. Striking north-south regional divergence (2.2% ND4 p-distance; c. 4.73 Ma, 95% higher posterior density (HPD) 2.08-8.16 Ma) was consistent with long-term isolation across a major drainage divide, not an adjacent arid corridor. Ancient divergence among regional lineages implies persistence of northern Krefft's populations despite the recurrent phases of severe local aridity, but with very low contemporary genetic diversity. Stable demography and high levels of genetic diversity are inferred for southern populations, where aridity was less extreme. Range-wide genetic structure in Krefft's river turtles reflects contemporary and historical drainage architecture, although regional differences in the extent of Plio-Pleistocene climatic aridity may be reflected in current levels of genetic diversity.

Aim: Our aim was to investigate the evolutionary response of a freshwater Gondwanan relictual lineage to ongoing aridification of the Australian landmass. Australian snapping turtles (Elseya spp.) are riverine specialist species and were used to examine biogeographical hypotheses associated with changes to riverine connectivity through eustatic sea-level change, landform development and aridity across this understudied region. Location: Northern and Eastern Australia and New Guinea. Methods: Phylogenetic relationships were inferred for all extant species of Elseya plus two putative species not yet described, from molecular data comprising mitochondrial (control region, ND4 and 16S) and nuclear (R35 intron) loci, using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. A calibrated relaxed molecular clock was used to estimate divergence times. Intraspecific lineage structure and diversity were investigated using control region sequences analysed via haplotype networks and AMOVA. Results: Elseya species exhibited a striking degree of local endemism across their range. Four divergent clades corresponded geographically to New Guinea, southern New Guinea plus northern Australia, north-eastern Australia, and south-eastern Australia. These arose in the late Miocene (c. 5.82-9.7Ma), diversifying further in the early Pleistocene (c. 2.2-2.43Ma and 1.36-1.66Ma), coincident with major phases of aridity and climatic upheaval. Main conclusions: The genus Elseya has a long vicariant history in Australia, closely tied to disconnection of fluvial habitat through landform evolution, sea-level rise and ongoing aridification. Our analysis paints a more complete picture of Australian freshwater biogeography, including evidence for periodic connectivity with New Guinea, important regional biogeographical barriers, and the location of potential freshwater refugia. Congruence with patterns described for terrestrial groups implies a collective response of the Australian fauna to aridification.

The island of New Guinea lies in one of the most tectonically active regions in the world and has long provided outstanding opportunity for studies of biogeography. Several chelid turtles, of clear Gondwanal origin, occur in New Guinea; all species except one, the endemic Elseya novaeguineae, are restricted to the lowlands south of the Central Ranges. Elseya novaeguineae is found throughout New Guinea. We use mitochondrial and nuclear gene variation among populations of E. novaeguineae throughout its range to test hypotheses of recent extensive dispersal versus more ancient persistence in New Guinea. Its genetic structure bears the signature of Miocene vicariance events. The date of the divergence between a Birds Head (Kepala Burung) clade and clades north and south of the Central Ranges is estimated to be 19.8 Mya [95% highest posterior density (HPD) interval of 13.3–26.8 Mya] and the date between the northern and southern clades is estimated to be slightly more recent at 17.4 Mya (95% HPD interval of 11.0–24.5 Mya). The distribution of this endemic species is best explained by persistent occupation (or early invasion and dispersal) and subsequent isolation initiated by the dramatic landform changes that were part of the Miocene history of the island of New Guinea, rather than as a response to the contemporary landscape of an exceptionally effective disperser. The driving influence on genetic structure appears to have been isolation arising from a combination of: (1) the early uplift of the Central Ranges and establishment of a north-south drainage divide; (2) development of the Langguru Fold Belt; (3) the opening of Cenderawasih Bay; and (4) the deep waters of the Aru Trough and Cenderawasih Bay that come close to the current coastline to maintain isolation of the Birds Head through periods of sea level minima (−135 m). The dates of divergence of turtle populations north and south of the ranges predate the telescopic uplift of the central ranges associated with oblique subduction of the Australian Plate beneath the Pacific Plate. Their isolation was probably associated with earlier uplift and drainage isolation driven by the accretion of island terranes to the northern boundary of the Australian craton that occurred earlier than the oblique subduction. The opening of Cenderawasih Bay is too recent (6 Mya) to have initiated the isolation of the Birds Head populations from those of the remainder of New Guinea, although its deep waters will have served to sustain the isolation through successive sea level changes. The molecular evidence suggests that the Birds Head docked with New Guinea some time before the Central Ranges emerged as a barrier to turtle dispersal. Overall, deep genetic structure of the species complex reflects events and processes that occurred during Miocene, whereas structure within each clade across the New Guinea landscape relates to Pliocene and Pleistocene times. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 111, 192–208.

VERTEBRATE TAPHONOMY OF UPPER CRETACEOUS VERTEBRATES FROM THE LONCOCHE FORMATION IN CALMU-CO (MENDOZA, ARGENTINA): PALEOENVIRONMENTAL AND PALEOGEOGRAPHICAL IMPLICATIONS. This paper presents a taphonomic study of vertebrate fossils from the Loncoche Formation (late Campanian—early Maastrichtian) found in the Calmu-Co area in Mendoza, Argentina. Four environmental stages were recognized in this site, (1) saline lacustrine systems; (2) fluvial systems; (3) deltaic systems; (4) shallow fluvial and lacustrine systems. The vertebrates found in the deltaic environment comprise disarticulated parautochthonous—allochthonous concentrations (taphofacies 1) of fishes (Chondrichthyes, Teleostei, Lepisosteidae and Ceratodontidae), turtles (Chelidae), dinosaurs (Titanosauria) and plesiosaurs (Plesiosauria). The disarticulated and fragmentary feature of these mixed concentrations (terrestrial, freshwater, marine) suggest a mixture of remains from littoral environments and fluvial systems. The above interpretati...

Effective spatial classification of freshwater biodiversity remains a worldwide conservation challenge. The isolating nature of catchment boundaries over evolutionary timescales makes them potentially important in defining natural units for biodiversity management. We sought to clarify biogeographical relationships amongst drainages within Australia's biodiverse mid-eastern coastal region (Fitzroy, Burnett, and Mary Catchments) where freshwater communities face considerable urban pressure, using a locally endemic riverine specialist, the white-throated snapping turtle, Elseya albagula. Mitochondrial and nuclear microsatellite data sets were employed to investigate past and present influences on population connectivity and to identify units for management. Populations within catchments were largely well connected genetically. However, the Fitzroy Catchment contained a distinct genetic lineage, deeply divergent from a second lineage present across the Burnett and Mary Catchments. The two lineages can be considered evolutionarily significant units that reflect historical isolation of the Fitzroy and recent coalescence of the Burnett-Mary Catchments during lowered Pleistocene sea levels. Congruence with geological evidence and patterns reported for fish and macroinvertebrates supports a shared biogeographical history of a diverse regional biota. This work highlights the need for better spatial classification of freshwater biodiversity at local as well as regional scales, including recognition of potentially cryptic diversity amongst individual river drainages.

Phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of the short-necked turtles of the genera Elseya , Myuchelys , and Emydura in Australia and New Guinea have long been debated as a result of conflicting hypotheses supported by different data sets and phylogenetic analyses. To resolve this contentious issue, we analyzed sequences from two mitochondrial genes ( cytochrome b and ND4 ) and one nuclear intron gene ( R35 ) from all species of the genera Elseya , Myuchelys , Emydura , and their relatives. Phylogenetic analyses using three methods (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference) produce a single, well resolved, and strongly corroborated hypothesis, which provides support for the three genera, with the exception that the genus Myuchelys is paraphyletic – Myuchelys purvisi is the sister taxon to the remaining Elseya , Myuchelys and Emydura . A new genus is proposed for the species Myuchelys purvisi to address this paraphyletic relationship. Time-calibration analysis suggests that diversification of the group in Australia coincides with periods of aridification in the late Eocene and between the mid-Miocene and early Pliocene. Other speciation events occurred during the faunal exchange between Australia and the island of New Guinea during the late Miocene and early Pliocene. Lineages distributed in New Guinea are likely influenced by the complex geologic history of the island, and include cryptic species diversity.

The twist-necked turtle (Platemys platycephala, Schneider 1792) is the only member of the genus Platemys. Despite a pan-Amazonian distribution in South America, ecology and population status of this small, forest-dwelling species are unknown in many countries within its range. Currently it is not listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and there are almost no published data on reproduction, feeding, or habitat preferences in the wild. In this article, observations on habitat selection, short-term movements and feeding in the Nouragues Field Reserve, French Guyana, are reported for the first time. Study specimens used the same areas in the late rainy season of 2009 and 2010, moving total distances of 503–686 m over a period of approximately 3 wk within calculated areas of activity ranging in size between 0.73 and 1.59 ha. The main habitats used were palm swamps, temporary flooded forest, and primary nonflooded forest. The analysis of 4 stomach and 2 fecal samples showed that different c...

We describe here the feeding habits of the Yellow-spotted River turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) (n = 20), Geoffroy's side-necked turtle (Phrynops geoffroanus) (n = 10), and Gibba turtle (Mesoclemmys gibba) (n = 4) from central Peru, Pasco Department, and evaluate food overlaps among them. Podocnemis unifilis showed a generalist feeding habit, ingesting animal and plant matter, but tending to be herbivorous, because plant matter made up 62.9% of the volume vs. 3.9% for animal material. The most important items in P. unifilis diet were seeds from the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family and bark. Podocnemis geoffroanus and M. gibba also had generalist feeding habits. The most important items for P. geoffroanus were insects, especially Libellulidae larvae, and plant material. Mesoclemmys gibba ingested insects, fish, crustaceans, unidentified plant matter, bark, leaves, stem, and algae, with plant matter being more representative by frequency and volume. Low dietary overlap was observed between P. unifi...

Understanding of evolutionary history and speciation events to inform phylogeography of extant species can be gleaned from the fossil record. However, the fossil record for Australian freshwater turtles contains many gaps and interpretation of the fossils that are known is difficult because of poor knowledge of the morphology of extant forms. There are no fossils currently assigned to short-necked turtles in the genus Myuchelys. In an alternative approach, morphological characters of the extant species Myuchelys bellii, Myuchelys georgesi, Myuchelys latisternum, and Myuchelys purvisi were mapped against their current molecular phylogeny. The cryptic species pair, M. georgesi and M. purvisi, are morphologically very similar, but distant phylogenetically, and their common ancestor includes M. latisternum and M. bellii in its decendents. This suggests that current shared morphology of M. georgesi and M. purvisi represents a suite of symplesiomorphies (shared primitive characters). These characters i...

The international trade in wildlife is currently one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. One group, the turtles, has experienced far-reaching population declines and extinctions because the majority of animals are sourced from the wild. The island of New Guinea has the highest diversity of freshwater turtles (Chelidae) in the Australasian region and large numbers are harvested from the Indonesian province of Papua to supply the international pet trade. A total of 264 of these turtles representing six species were recorded between December 2010 and March 2011 while gathering information about wildlife trade in the Indonesian province of Papua. Most were juveniles, although a substantial number of large adults were also harvested. None of the species recorded are CITES-listed. Despite one species not being allocated an annual harvest quota, it was observed being traded. Illegal and unregulated trade coupled with a lack of basic ecological data for these species can have a severe impact on wild populations. We present recommendations for law enforcement and conservation of these species.

Turtles of the total Clade Pan-Chelidae have a relatively poor fossil record, which is completely restricted from the Early Cretaceous to Recent of South America and Australasia. The clade is expected to have formerly inhabited Antarctica as well. The phylogenetic relationships of extant pan-chelids remain poorly resolved, notably because there are conflicting signals between morphological and molecular data. The ecology of fossil pan-chelids appears to have been similar to that of their extant relatives. A taxonomic review of the group concluded that of 45 named taxa, 22 are nomina valida, 6 are nomina invalida and 15 are nomina dubia, whereas the final 2 are rendered non-testudinate through the designation of lectotypes. Fil: Maniel, Ignacio Jorge. Museo Municipal de Historia Natural San Rafael - Unidad Asociada al CCT Mendoza; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; Argentina Fil: de la Fuente, Marcelo Saul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; Argentina. Museo Municipal de Historia Natural San Rafael - Unidad Asociada al CCT Mendoza; Argentina

The matamata (Chelus fimbriatus) is a highly aquatic chelid turtle known exclusively from northern South America. Due to its extremely modified morphology, it is well circumscribed among living taxa, but that is not the case of the two extinct species ascribed to the taxon, Chelus colombianus and Chelus lewisi. These were originally described for the Miocene of Colombia and Venezuela, respectively, and are known mostly from post-cranial material. Few traits have been considered diagnostic for these fossil taxa, and their shared geographic and temporal distributions raise doubts about their distinctiveness. Here, we describe new turtle remains from the early Miocene Castillo Formation, at Cerro la Cruz, northwestern Venezuela, assigning them to C. colombianus. We also review the taxonomy and diagnostic features of the fossil species of Chelus, comparing them with the variation recognized within C. fimbriatus. All alleged differences between the fossil Chelus species were found in our sample of the extant species, and may represent intraspecific variation of a single fossil species. Further, we reviewed the fossil record of Chelus spp. and proposed a paleobiogeographic hypothesis to explain its present geographic range.

Yaminuechelys is a long-necked chelid turtle whose remains have been recovered from outcrops of the Santonian-Maastrichtian and Danian of SouthAmerica.With the purpose of providing data about shell sculpturing origin and palaeoecology, the bone histology of several shell elements (including neural, costal, peripheral and plastral plates) of Yaminuechelys is described herein. Histological analysis reveals that Yaminuechelys shares with Chelidae the presence of interwoven structural fibre bundles in the external cortex, and parallel-fibred bone of the internal cortex. The presence of resorption lines in several samples indicates that the particular ornamentation of the external surfaces originated, at least in part, by focalized resorption and new bone deposition. This mechanism for ornamentation origin and maintenance is here described for the first time in a turtle. Compactness of the shell bones is consistent with an aquatic habitat, which supports previous hypothesis based on palaeoenvironmental and morphological data. Fil: Jannello, Juan Marcos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentina Fil: Cerda, Ignacio Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Sede Alto Valle. Instituto de Investigaciones en Paleobiología y Geología; Argentina. Museo Carlos Ameghino; Argentina Fil: de la Fuente, Marcelo Saul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentina

Maximilian's snake-necked turtle, Hydromedusa maximiliani, is an endemic and vulnerable long-lived freshwater turtle from eastern Atlantic mountainous rainforest regions of Brazil. Three scenarios (real population, optimistic population, and pessimistic population) based on the species' life-history data and carrying capacity estimates collected throughout 13 yrs were generated with VORTEX and subjected to sensitivity tests to verify the influence of demographic (mortality rate and inbreeding depression) and environmental (fire and deforestation catastrophes) parameters on population viability. The results showed significant differences among the viability scenarios, with extinction probability ranging from 6% to 99%. These analyses illustrate that environmental and demographic stochasticity can negatively impact populations of H. maximiliani and emphasize the necessity of protecting areas for long-lived organisms inhabiting regions impacted by humans.

We contrasted diets of three turtles (Elseya albagula, Myuchelys latisternum, Emydura krefftii) from free-flowing or impounded rivers in southeastern Queensland, Australia, to evaluate the effects of flow regulation. The turtle species encompassed the herbivorous, carnivorous, and omnivorous feeding guilds, respectively. The study design simultaneously considered ontogenetic dietary shifts and seasonal effects on prey availability. Relative to the river samples, diets for three turtles in impoundments were substantially reduced in prey abundance, species richness, and dietary breadth. Turtles with narrower dietary preferences in free-flowing rivers were more affected by dams than was the dietary generalist. For the most omnivorous turtle, qualitative differences were evident in diets from impoundments and rivers; yet considering its greater dietary breadth, quantitative effects on diet were minor. Diets of turtles in impoundments included fewer subaquatic plants and wind fallen fruits than did th...

Mesoclemmys dahli and M. zuliae are two endangered, little-known toad-headed turtles with small distribution ranges in Colombia and Venezuela, respectively. Using the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene as a marker, we investigate their phylogeographic differentiation. Furthermore, based on 2341 bp of mtDNA and 2109 bp of nDNA of M. dahli, M. zuliae and allied chelid turtles, we infer their divergence time using a fossil-calibrated relaxed molecular clock approach. Mesoclemmys dahli and M. zuliae are closely related species, with an estimated mean divergence time of 10.6 million years. This estimate correlates with the uplift of the Serranía de Perijá, an Andean mountain chain separating their distribution ranges, suggesting that this event could have caused the evolution of the two species. Haplotype and nucleotide diversities of M. dahli are markedly higher than in Podocnemis lewyana, another endemic turtle species of Colombia. This pronounced dissimilarity may reflect differences in the phylogeographies and demographic histories of the two species, but also different habitat preferences.

We studied reproductive parameters and noted predation of Phrynops geoffroanus nests along the Guapore River of the Brazilian and Bolivian Amazon during the beginning of the falling water level season (vazante) in July 1989 and 2008. We searched for nests on the banks of the Guapore River every morning navigating by outboard along the Guapore River between Divisa sector state of Rondonia in Brazil and Versalles village, Department El Beni in Bolivia. We found 10 nests in 1989 and 46 nests in 2008. Clutch size ranged from 7 to 16 eggs and was larger in 2008. There was no relationship between egg size and nest size or the size of eggs between year 1989 and year 2008. The predation rate in 2008 was 89.1%, all depredated by the lizard Tupinambis teguxin. Habitat loss for the lizard may be creating habitat utilization shifting and increased turtle nest depredation rates.

Population monitoring and evaluation of spatial requirements of species are key actions for the conservation of wild populations, especially for endemic and threatened species. We estimated the abundance of the endemic species Mesoclemmys dahli in 2 streams in Cesar, Colombia, from February 2008 to February 2009, by using aquatic sampling. We monitored fluctuations in abundance through the year and used mark–recapture sampling and the Jolly–Seber model to estimate population size and density. Home ranges and movement patterns were studied by using very high frequency (VHF) radio telemetry. We calculated home ranges for the year and for the wet and dry season independently. Estimated population size for the 2 streams varied during the year from 16 (95% CI, 7–30) to 175 (95% CI, 32–298) turtles. Densities ranged from 16 turtles/ha in April to approximately 170 turtles/ha in June, which is lower than other populations of M. dahli in Colombia as well as other South American chelids. Individuals captu...

We studied the diet of Acanthochelys spixii in a wild population in the Cerrado of central Brazil for 19 months, investigating ontogenetic, sexual, and interindividual variation. The diet consisted mainly of nymphs of Odonata, although other insects, amphibians, and plant material were also present. We observed no ontogenetic shifts in diet composition (e.g., no shift from carnivorous juveniles to herbivorous adults), which can be related to the high abundance of prey at the study site. There was no association between prey size and turtle carapace length, with larger animals still taking small prey. Dietary niche overlap was high, and there was no difference in niche breadth between sexes. However, differences in diet composition suggested differential habitat use, with males using more the periphery and females using more the center of ponds. Diet composition varied more among males than among females, which can result from higher diversity of prey at the pond margins, higher movement rates, or...

We studied the structure of a population of Hydromedusa maximiliani associated with a stream in Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Nucleo Itutinga-Piloes, southeastern Brazil, between October 2004 and October 2005. Twenty-five individuals were captured, and a population size of 43.72 ± 23.7 individuals was estimated. This value is similar to that of the population of Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho, another Atlantic forest reserve of southeastern Brazil. Males were recaptured more frequently than females, suggesting higher activity and/or greater movement of males.

454 shotgun sequencing was used to identify thousands of in silico microsatellite loci from two Australian freshwater turtle species (Pleurodira, Chelidae), Elseya albagula and Emydura macquarii krefftii. Twenty-nine polymorphic microsatellites were subsequently developed and tested as markers, 15 for E. m. krefftii and 14 for E. albagula. The former marker set showed greater allelic richness (mean N A = 7.7, range 3–15) than the latter (mean N A = 4.4, range 2–8). Levels of expected heterozygosity were high for both marker suites (mean H E = 0.718, range 0.177–0.875; and mean H E = 0.567, range 0.317–0.827, respectively), indicating both are suitable for studies of population genetic structure, connectivity and mating systems in these taxa. Cross-species amplification in 12 other short-necked freshwater turtle taxa highlighted the potential utility of these markers in other species, notably Emydura spp., Rheodytes leukops and Elusor macrurus.

The mitochondrial genome of the Australia eastern long-necked turtle Chelodina longicollis is 16,437 bp, containing 37 genes, with overall gene organisation and nucleotide composition typical of mitogenomes of other vertebrates. We identified a presumptive light strand replication initiation site (OL) in the WANCY region, a feature thought to be absent from the side-necked turtles (Pleurodira). The tRNAser2 of C. longicollis lacks a D-arm. This is the fifth mitogenome published for the Pleurodira, the third for the Chelidae and the first turtle mitogenome generated using next-generation sequencing. It will assist the development of primers and strategies for examining mitochondrial variation across the side-necked turtles.

Few studies have described the natural history of Phrynops geoffroanus in anthropogenic environments. We analyzed the stomach contents of 39 P. geoffroanus from the Anhanduizinho River, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from September 2004 to April 2005. We verified the presence of invertebrates (Odonata larvae and mollusks), fish, and plant material. The primary food item ingested all year by the P. geoffroanus examined was the larval stage of Chironomus sp.