(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED
Species Id ESIS154011
Date 14 MAR 96

TAXONOMY

NAME - TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED

OTHER COMMON NAMES - TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED;SAWBACK, RINGED;TURTLE, MAP and RINGED

ELEMENT CODE -

CATEGORY - Reptiles

PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,

CLASS AND SUBCLASS - REPTILIA,

ORDER AND SUBORDER - TESTUDINES,

FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - TESTUDINIDAE,

GENUS AND SUBGENUS - GRAPTEMYS,

SPECIES AND SSP - OCULIFERA,

SCIENTIFIC NAME - GRAPTEMYS OCULIFERA

AUTHORITY -

TAXONOMY REFERENCES -

COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Ringed Sawback Turtle

Graptemys oculifera (Baur, 1890)

KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Reptile

PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Reptilia
ORDER: Testudines FAMILY: Testudinidae

The ringed sawback turtle (Graptemys oculifera) is a small turtle
having a yellow ring bordered, inside and outside, with dark
olive-brown on each shield of the upper shell or carapace and a yellow
undershell or plastron. The head has a large yellow spot behind the
eye, two yellow stripes from the orbit backwards and a characteristic
yellow stripe covering the whole lower jaw (01). Males grow to 4
inches (10 cm) and females to 7 inches (18 cm) in plastron length.
The ringed sawback turtle was described by Baur in 1890 as
Malacoclemmys oculifera and renamed Graptemys oculifera in 1893 (05).
The ringed sawback was listed as Graptemys pseudogeographica oculifera
Stejneger and Barbour, 1917 (01,05,08) in the check list of North
American Amphibians and Reptiles in 1917, 1923, and 1933 (05). Other
scientific name synonyms include Graptemys oculifera oculifera Mertens
and Wermuth, 1955; and Malaclemys oculifera McDowell, 1964 (01,09).
Other common names for the species are ringed map turtle and ringed
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED
Species Id ESIS154011
Date 14 MAR 96

sawback.
The type specimens were a group of turtles acquired for the U.S.
National Museum by Gustave Kohn and reportedly came from Mandeville,
Louisiana, and Pensacola, Florida (01). On the basis of a 1900
statement to this effect by George E. Beyer, then Curator of the
Tulane Museum, Cagle (01,02) says they were probably purchased in the
French Quarter Market in New Orleans, Louisiana. Due to the absence
of ringed sawback turtles from collections in southern Alabama and
Florida, Cagle (01,02) considers the Pensacola record to be erroneous,
although Kohn had accepted the locality data of the individual from
whom the purchase was made. The Mandeville record is probably from
the Pearl River, 26 miles to the east, since there is no suitable
habitat near Mandeville (05). The holotype specimen is in the U.S.
National Museum 15511.

Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED
Species Id ESIS154011
Date 14 MAR 96

STATUS

Coded Status
Louisiana; Federally Threatened
Louisiana; State Recognized

Mississippi; State Listed

T: Federal Threatened

Commercial
Ornamental

COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The ringed sawback turtle (Graptemys oculifera) has been
designated a Threatened species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C.
1531-1540), as amended. The species has this status wherever found
including the States of Louisiana and Mississippi.
This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.

RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:

USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.

All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.

STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:

STATE: Mississippi
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED
Species Id ESIS154011
Date 14 MAR 96

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Mississippi Department of Wildlife
Conservation
STATE STATUTE: Public Notice 2408

STATE: Louisiana
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
STATE STATUTE: LA Stat. Annot. 56:1901 to 56:1907, 56:8(38),
56:318, 56:327, 56:330, and 56:331.

INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
All species of Testudinidae (except those specifically listed in
Appendix I) are included in Appendix II of CITES.

ECONOMIC STATUSES:
Ringed sawback turtles (Graptemys oculifera) are valued by
collectors for resale and ornamental display.

77/06/06:42 FR 28903/ - Notice of review
85/09/18:50 FR 37958/37967 - Notice of review
86/01/21:51 FR 02741/02744 - Proposed rule, list as Threatened
86/23/12:51 FR 45907/45910 - Final rule, list as Threatened

Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - AQUATIC
TERRESTRIAL
INLAND AQUATIC

LAND USE -
Transportation, communications, and Util
Cropland and Pasture
Streams and Canals
Nonforested Wetland
Beaches

NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES

NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC

Riverine, upper perennial UB2
Riverine, upper perennial BB2
Riverine, lower perennial UB2
Riverine, lower perennial BB2
Palustrine SS1

COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The habitat of the ringed sawback turtle (Graptemys oculifera) is
typically riverine with a moderate current and numerous basking logs.
The river must be wide enough to allow sun penetration for several
hours; these turtles are heliothermic. Nesting habitat consists of
large, high sand and gravel bars adjacent to the river. Nests are
generally located on the beach near the vegetation line. Good water
quality is necessary for the production of snails and mollusks on
which the ringed sawback turtle feeds. This basking turtle is not
able to inhabit large lake areas or polluted waters (01,03,05).
Soil Conservation Service drainage projects in the watershed
increase sedimentation and pesticide runoff from agricultural fields.
There are 25 watershed projects and 49.5 miles of drainage ditches in
the watershed with this work continuing (07).
The Pearl River Basin is almost entirely private land. Land uses
of surrounding areas range from agricultural row crops to
silviculture. Agricultural lands, although not immediately adjacent
to the river, do impact the water quality of the turtle's habitat
(07). Several municipalities occur along the Pearl River and domestic
and industrial effluent pollution is a problem, especially downstream
of Jackson and Bogalusa. The Ross Barnett Reservoir is upstream of
Jackson and operated for recreation and water supply (09).

Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED
Species Id ESIS154011
Date 14 MAR 96

FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE

LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Detritus
General Algae
General Crustaceans
General Fish
General Carrion
General Arthropods
General Molluscs

Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED
Species Id ESIS154011
Date 14 MAR 96

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae

LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Aquatic Features: Pool areas
G Terrestrial Features: Downed logs

Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED
Species Id ESIS154011
Date 14 MAR 96

LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS:
Ringed sawback turtles (Graptemys oculifera) feed upon a variety
of snails, freshwater mussels, and insects. Bits of flesh from
trotlines, etc. may also be consumed (01,02). Crustaceans, such as
crayfish, and fish are probably consumed. Detritus and filamentous
algae has been found in gut contents of other Graptemys and is
probably consumed incidentally with other food organisms.

HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Numerous ringed sawback turtles may be observed basking on the
same log or debris. Territorial behavior and other aspects of its
life habits are unknown (04).

PERIODICITY:
The ringed sawback turtle is a diurnal species except for egg
laying which occurs at night. Hatching occurs during darkness and the
hatchlings orient on light to find the water (04).

MIGRATION PATTERNS:
The ringed sawback turtle is nonmigratory (04).

COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
The ringed sawback turtle requires a moderate to fast current,
and logs and other structures for basking. This species spends
several hours each day basking. The structure on which it basks is
generally not connected to the shoreline, apparently providing
protection from predators (04)

REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
The ringed sawback turtle requires sand beaches for egg laying
(01). Nests are generally located on the beach near the vegetation
line. Vegetation may provie some shade that is necessary to prevent
eggs from getting too hot. The nest consists of a shallow hole where
the eggs are laid and covered (04).

REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
The breeding season (egg-laying) of the ringed sawback turtle is
likely May to September with 2 or 3 clutches laid per year. Clutch
size is generally 3-4 eggs. The species reaches maturity during the
5th year (01). Other reproductive characteristics are unknown.

PARENTAL CARE:
The ringed sawback turtle does not provide parental care.

POPULATION BIOLOGY:
The limiting factor for the ringed sawback turtle is habitat
modification. The sex ratio of adults is generally 1:1 with over half
of a healthy population comprised of juveniles (04). The recovery
potential for the species is excellent if the habitat is protected.

SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED
Species Id ESIS154011
Date 14 MAR 96

Fish crows and raccoons prey upon this turtle's eggs.

OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
Hatchlings are about 1 inch in plastron length. Females grow
more rapidly than males. Both sexes attain near maximum size by
maturity. Hatchlings show a negative reaction to bright light,
normally leaving the nest at night (09). No additional information is
available.

Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED
Species Id ESIS154011
Date 14 MAR 96

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Noncommercial Harvest
Beneficial Regulating commercial harvest levels
Adverse Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Existing Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Adverse Collecting
Existing Collecting
Adverse Commercial Exploitation
Existing Commercial Exploitation
Adverse Siltation
Existing Siltation
Adverse Water Level Stabilization
Existing Water Level Stabilization
Adverse Reservoirs
Existing Reservoirs
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse Applying pesticides
Existing Applying pesticides
Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Adverse
Existing

COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The numbers of Graptemys oculifera (ringed sawback turtle) have
declined due to habitat alteration associated with flood control
(impoundment) and navigation (channelization). The historic range of
this turtle has been reduced 21 percent by construction of Ross
Barnett Reservoir, the West Pearl navigation channel, and floodplain
clearing. Planned or authorized projects will impact an additional 28
percent of the Pearl River habitat and all of the Bogue Chitto River
habitat. Results of future flood control studies could impact up to 8
river reaches. U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Section 205 studies
(studies for small scale flood control measures) may impact several
Pearl River tributaries and have indirect impacts on the Pearl River
habitat (06). Soil Conservation Service drainage projects in the
watershed increase sedimentation and pesticide runoff from
agricultural fields. Several municipalities occur along the Pearl
River and domestic and industrial effluent pollution is a problem,
especially downstream of Jackson and Bogalusa (09). There are 25
watershed projects and 49.5 miles of drainage ditches in the
watershed, and projects of this type continue to be implemented (07).
Collecting for commercial purposes is a serious threat. The
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED
Species Id ESIS154011
Date 14 MAR 96

species is collected and sold live as an ornamental. Wanton shooting
of basking turtles (for target practice) poses a threat that becomes
more serious as the population declines (08).

UNAPPROVED PLAN:
No recovery plan has been initiated yet.

Management actions recommended for the recovery of the ringed
sawback turtle (Graptemys oculifera) are as follows:

1) Maintain water flows and basking structures in two good population
centers in the Pearl River.
2) Prohibit collecting for resale and private display.
3) Protect from wanton shooting.
4) Prohibit discharge of pollutants into Pearl River.

The recovery potential for the species is excellent if the
habitat is protected.

Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, SAWBACK, RINGED
Species Id ESIS154011
Date 14 MAR 96

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****

01 Cagle, F.R. 1953. The status of the turtle Graptemys oculifera
(Baur). Zoologica 83:137-144.
02 Cagle, F.R. 1954. Two new species of the genus Graptemys. Tulane
Stud. in Zool. 1:166-186.
03 Cliburn, J.W. 1971. The ranges of four species of Graptemys in
Mississippi. J. Miss. Acad. Sci. 16:-19.
04 Lohoefener, R. 1984-85. Personal communication. Miss. State
Univ. Res. Ctr., Terrest. Eco. Ctr., NSTL Station, MS 39529.
05 McCoy, C.J. and R.C. Vogt. 1980. Distribution and population
status of the ringed sawback Graptemys oculifera (Baur) in
Mississippi and Louisiana. Rep. on file at: U.S. Fish & Wildl.
Serv.
06 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1983. Project maps. Vicksburg
District.
07 U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1983. Watershed progress report.
Soil Conservation Service, Jackson, MS.
08 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Endangered and Threatened
wildlife and plants; determination of Threatened status for the
ringed sawback turtle (Graptemys oculifera). Fed. Reg.
51:45907-45910.
09 Stewart, J.H. 1984. Status review ringed sawback turtle,
Graptemys oculifera. Rep. on file at: U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv.,
Off. Endang. Sp., Washington, D.C. 20240.
10 Mertens, R. and H. Wermuth. 1955. Die regeten Schldkroten,
Krokodile und Bruckenechsen. Zool. Jahrb. (Syst.) 83:323-440.

***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****

References - 1