(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
OTHER COMMON NAMES - TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH; TURTLE, REDBELLY, PLYMOUTH; TURTLE, RED-BELLIED;TERRAPIN, PLYMOUTH; TERRAPIN, RED-BELLIED and PLYMOUTH;SLIDER; COOTER
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Reptiles
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - REPTILIA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - TESTUDINES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - EMYDIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - PSEUDEMYS,
SPECIES AND SSP - RUBRIVENTRIS, BANGSI
SCIENTIFIC NAME - PSEUDEMYS RUBRIVENTRIS BANGSI
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Plymouth Red-bellied Turtle
Pseudemys rubriventris bangsi (Babcock, 1937)
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Reptile
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Reptilia
ORDER: Testudines FAMILY: Emydidae
The adult Plymouth red-bellied turtle is a large freshwater
chelonian ranging 26-32 cm in carapace length. The carapace is
usually mahogany or black in ground color, with distinct reddish
verticle bars on the costals. Males usually become melanistic with
age and the male plastron is pale pink overlaid with dark vermicular
mottling; the female plastron is brighter red with a grey figure
narrowly bordering the seams (01). The front of the upper jaw is
notched in both sexes and flanked on either side by a maxillary cusp.
Both jaws are serrated and the median ridges on their crushing
surfaces are tuberculate (02). Very young specimens show very little
red; the plastron being orange (03), the carapace green, and marked
with light green hieroglyphics (04,05). Adults and juveniles have
yellow stripes on the head and limbs (04), contrary to previous
descriptions (03,15). Red speckling and even faint red lines only
appear on older specimens, and then they are mostly confined to
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
males (16). The skin on the soft parts is green in hatchlings but
transforms to brown and then black over a two year period (04). The
subspecies is drawn (03) and photographed (05,07) in the literature.
There has been considerable controversy among turtle biologists
with regard to the generic name of freshwater turtles (i.e., whether
the name should be Chrysemys or Pseudemys. Both names are found in
the literature although considerable evidence exists suggesting the
name Chrysemys should be limited to the painted turtles (41).
Described as a new subspecies in 1937 (05), Pseudemys
rubriventris bangsi (Babcock) was differentiated from P. r.
rubriventris by its relatively greater shell height in proportion to
length. Some workers have questioned the taxonomic validity of this
character to Babcock's designation (06,07,08). Although the relative
shell height character is considered to be too variable to be used
alone as a diagnostic determinator, a preliminary multivariate
analysis of morphological characters indicated that a selected set of
morphometric characters showed Babcock's subspecific designation to
be valid (08). The analysis of a more recent and complete set of data
(18) and correspondence with experienced turtle taxonomists (09)
suggests that these preliminary conclusions were faulty. From the
evidence available it now appears that bangsi is not valid; it
certainly is not valid based on Babcock's original criteria (10).
Final confirmation is pending.
The type locality was originally cited in error as Boot Pond
(10), while in reality the type locality is Gunner's Exchange Pond.
The type specimen, and adult female, was taken by Henry Thayer in
1912 at Gunner's Exchange. This specimen is in the collection of the
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University (MCZ 16778) together
with a male paratype (MCZ 16777) (10). The MCZ has several other
specimens from Plymouth and is currently the designated repository for
any salvaged material (11). Additional Plymouth red-bellied turtle
material is located in the collections of the U.S. National Museum,
Carnegie Museum, and University of Kansas Museum (12).
Synonyms employed in the literature include Plymouth turtle,
Plymouth terrapin, Plymouth redbelly turtle, and Plymouth red-bellied
terrapin (13,14,15). Other common names include slider and cooter.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Non-consumptive recreational
Commercial/consumption
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Plymouth red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys rubriventris
bangsi) has been designated an Endangered 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 subspecies has this
status wherever found including the State of MA. Critical Habitat
has been designated in Plymouth County, MA (50 CFR 17.95(c)).
This subspecies 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.
The Environmental Protection Agency has responsibility for
assuring that water treatment plans for the area do not impact the
turtle or its Critical Habitat.
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:
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
STATE: Massachusetts
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
STATE STATUTE: Endangered Species Act of 1979, 321 Code of
Massachusetts Regulations, PART 8.01.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
IUCN Red Data Book, 1982 - Rare.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
There is evidence that the species was used as food in
pre-colonial times. This species has aesthetic, scientific and
archeological value to man.
77/06/06:42 FR 28903/28904 - Status review
78/05/19:43 FR 21702/21705 - Proposed, Endangered w/ Critical Habitat
79/03/06:44 FR 12382/12384 - Withdrawal of Critical Habitat
79/09/13:44 FR 53422/53424 - Reproposal of Critical Habitat
80/06/06:45 FR 21833/ - Final rule, listing as Endangered w/ CH
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Notice of five year review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
TERRESTRIAL
INLAND AQUATIC
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY TYPES
SAF TYPE STAGE CLOSURE
Shortleaf Pine-Oak shrub--seedling
Shortleaf Pine-Oak young tree
Shortleaf Pine-Oak mature tree
Shortleaf Pine-Oak Old Growth
LAND USE -
Residential
Cropland and Pasture
Mixed Forest Land
Streams and Canals
Lakes
Reservoirs
Forested Wetland
Nonforested Wetland
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Lacustrine, littoral OW0
Lacustrine, littoral EM4
Lacustrine, littoral EM3
Lacustrine, littoral EM2
Lacustrine, littoral AB4
Lacustrine, littoral AB2
Lacustrine, limnetic OW0
Lacustrine, limnetic AB4
Lacustrine, limnetic AB2
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The Plymouth red-bellied turtle is associated with/prefers
natural littoral and limnetic lacustrine habitats surrounded by
oak-pine barrens. It also occurs in man-made reservoirs constructed
for cranberry culture. In fact, an old cranberry bog reservoir
impounded at its southern end by dikes, supports the largest known
population of these animals (27).
The most important habitat feature for the turtle appears to be
the presence of abundant submerged aquatic vegetation, especially
milfoil (Myriophyllum spp.), which is the preferred food of the adult
turtles (28). Other known but less important aquatic plant foods
include bladderworts (Utricularia spp.), arrowheads (Sagittaria spp.),
water shield (Brasenia shreberi), and waterweeds (Elodea spp.) (05,07,
24,28). It is customary to find these plants growing rooted in
mud-bottomed aquatic beds, which explains the association of this
animal with mud bottoms, where food and cover are more plentiful (04,
16).
Specific physical parameters of habitat required by this turtle
are poorly known. A multivariate discriminant analysis of water
chemistry data is planned for the spring of 1986 (26). The list of
parameters measured for this analysis includes pH, total alkalinity,
total hardness, specific conductivity, total solids, suspended solids,
Habitat Associations - 1 chloride, total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total
phosphorus, total iron, total manganese, and color (23). Preliminary
inspection of this data does not give any indication of substantive
water quality differences between ponds known to contain the turtle
and others known not to harbor it. For this reason data on aquatic
vegetation and basking site availability will be added before running
the entire data set through a discriminant analysis (23). It is
anticipated that the variables most critical to this turtle's
occurrence will be determined from this analysis.
The terrestrial environs within 200 feet of the ponds are
important nesting habitat for females (17,23). Modification of the
originally proposed critical habitat utilized knowledge of a required
nesting zone around each pond (29). It seems that pond surroundings
most frequently selected by nesting females are open, well-insolated,
well-drained elevations at least 1 m above pond level (17). Nests are
often dug in sandy roads adjacent to ponds, or in other cleared areas.
It appears that females even prefer disturbed substrates for nesting
(17). Such sites are common near cranberry farming operations.
Populations of red-bellied turtles living in bog reservoirs, (e.g.
Federal Pond) almost always nest on dike roads or sand piles. The
role of fire in suppressing vegetational cover has been discussed
relative to its maintenance of open and warm nesting areas in the past
(22). In addition, the loss of nesting habitat to housing development
has become quite serious at some ponds (22).
Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Algae
General Floating aquat. plant
General Zooplankton
General Arthropods
General Crustaceans
General Vascular Plants-Submerged Nonwoody
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
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 Inland Wetlands: Bogs
G Coastal Features: Sandy offshore islands
G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
G Terrestrial Features: Downed logs
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Babcock believed that the Plymouth red-bellied turtle's food is
both animal and vegetable, consisting of snails, fish, tadpoles,
crayfish, and aquatic vegetation (03,16). More recently, young
red-bellied turtles 5-9 inches in carapace length were discovered to
have eaten crayfish and arrowhead (07). Application of a harmless
stomach-flushing technique (30) has revealed that stomachs of flushed
adults contained only plant material. Aquatic plant remains
discovered were from milfoil (Myriophyllum spp.), bladderwort
(Utricularia spp.), waterweeds (Elodea spp.), arrowhead (Sagittaria
spp.), and water shield (Brasenia schreberi) (24,28). Of over twenty
adult stomachs flushed since 1980, none were found to contain animal
material (17).
The most important food item as indicated by bulk and frequency
of occurrence, is milfoil (24,28). All parts of the plant, except
the roots, aerial stems, and flowers are consumed. Only the submerged
leaves of young arrowhead are eaten while the single instance of water
shield ingestion involved the floating leaves only. Both stems and
leaves of waterweeds are eaten. It is possible that bladderwort and
green algae (Spirogyra spp.) were ingested incidentally along with
milfoil since both of these plants are found growing entangled with
milfoil. There does not appear to be any seasonal change in food
preferences of this turtle (17). Hatchlings and young headstarted in
captivity feed on live brine shrimp, bits of cooked sea shrimp, and
all kinds of leafy salad greens (17). Although food studies on
hatchlings have not been done, it is suggested that hatchlings and
young in nature would feed to some extent on available aquatic
crustaceans, and insectsand their aquatic larvae (17).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
This turtle is not known to be territorial (17) and details of
home range remain to be determined. Winter movements beneath ice are
considerably reduced from those of warmer periods, in both frequency
and distance covered (31).
PERIODICITY:
The Plymouth red-bellied turtle is essentially diurnal. Several
night searches with a boat equipped by Q-beam lighting have never
revealed any movements after dark. Normal activity which includes
daily aquatic movements of several hundred feet is suppressed when
water temperature falls below 13 degrees C (27). Although this turtle
has been reported to aestivate during the summer months (03,38),
some trapping results (17) indicate this turtle is active from April
to mid-October. It is likely that the assumption of aestivation was
based on the failure of the observer to see any aerial basking
specimens in July and August, months when aquatic basking is
sufficient to warm the animals (17,33). This turtle is active (moves
about) in nearly all months of the year, except for a brief period
when winter ice covers exists (31). The annual period of extensive
aquatic movement has been estimated at 180 days based on water
temperature data (days when it was in excess of 12-13 degrees C) (34).
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
The Plymouth red-bellied turtle shows little evidence of a
migratory behavior. It tends to remain in the same habitat all year
and at all times of day (17). Reported exceptions to this include
animals of both sexes found traveling on land in the summer sometimes
at considerable distances from water (23,32,34,35,36,37). Where
females are involved, these overland movements may be associated with
nesting in June and July (34).
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
This turtle seems to prefer the cover afforded by submerged beds
of aquatic vegetation. It prospers where vegetation is luxuriant and
where refugia beneath cedar bog mats prevail (17). It is unusual to
see this animal in vegetation-free waters. Normally the bottom
features in frequented waters lack refugia such as holes common at
Federal Pond with its cedar bog islands. Water depth in the inhabited
ponds generally ranges from shallow littoral zones to depths of 20+
feet. The turtles frequent the shallow portions where depths
generally do not exceed 6-10 feet (17). It is necessary that pond
levels not be subjected to extensive drawdowns as might occur if the
Plymouth aquifer were tapped as a water source for metropolitan areas
(17), since such drawdowns could affect the turtle's food supply as
well as cover.
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Courtship and mating have never been observed (02,39), but they
are likely to occur in water, probably in fall or spring. Sites
selected for mating are unknown but might include open water or
shallows. It is probable that deep water does not serve as a breeding
ground.
Females dig their nests on land in late June or early July and
select open, well-insolated, well-drained, nonvegetated sandy
substrates anywhere from 6 to 195 feet from the pond's edge (17,23).
These substrates are frequently disturbed and are often in or near
sandy roads adjacent to the ponds (17). Substrate temperature during
the June-July nesting interval ranges from 13-30 degrees C at a depth
of 3.5 inches (17). In addition, all selected nesting sites are
located at elevations at least one meter above pond level (17).
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
As previously stated, reproductive behavior and breeding season
are unknown. Minimum age at maturity is not known but sexual
dimorphism is evident at 5-7 years in males (04). Only females
greater than 260 mm in plastron length have been found carrying eggs
and at this size age is estimated at 16 or 17 years (04). As few as
one third of the adult females may reproduce in a given year (04,24).
Females produce one clutch of eggs annually (24) and mating is
presumed to be polygamous. Clutch size ranges from 10-20 (04) and
hatching occurs in 73-80 days at 25 degrees C constant (40).
Emergence from the nest takes place from late August through October.
A portion of the hatchlings may not emerge before winter, but very few
survive to dig out the next spring (04).
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
PARENTAL CARE:
No parental care is provided for the young once the female has
deposited her eggs and covered the nest (17).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Low population density prevails for most habitats and in these
cases the adult sex ratio is either not appreciably different from 1:1
or else it is skewed in favor of males (27). The largest population
has a sex ratio of 2:1 in favor of adult females. This is the only
population with a ratio favoring females and it is felt that this
situation has favored the expansion of this robust assemblage of 135
individuals. A cause of the female biased ratio at this pond is the
availability of adequate open and warm nesting substrates which might
favor the development of a greater number of females during egg
incubation (41). Longevity has been estimated at 40-55 years (07),
but age at senesence is unknown. Factors implicated in keeping
red-bellied turtle density so low at most ponds, compared with density
of other species inhabiting the same ponds, include reduction of
suitable nesting area due to housing development and fire suppression,
intense nest predation, irregular egg production, predation on young,
and number of years apparently required for female maturation (04).
The primary management objective is to restore and maintain
self-sustaining populations of this turtle. Reclassification to
threatened status could occur if management measures result in at
least 15 self-sustaining populations totaling 600 breeding age adults
(22). The potential for recovery is reasonable if nest predation can
be prevented and if headstarting of young is done on a larger scale
than in the past (17), however, delisting may not be possible due to
the limited range of the species.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
It would seem that an increase in nest predators (i.e., Procyon
lotor and Mephitis mephitis) could seriously impact the red-bellied
turtle populations if adequate nest protection measures are not
continued as management procedure. Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) have
also been known to cause incidental mortality of young once they reach
the pond (25).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
Although clutch size is apparently not correlated with female
size, it is possible that egg size and subsequent size of hatchlings
is (17). Additional observation and analysis will be required to
determine if this is true.
Late nesting (July) in most cases means late hatching (17) and
possibly no emergence of young before winter. The cause of late
nesting is not known, although it is characteristic of species on the
northern periphery of their range.
Eggs incubated on natural substrate (sand) generally produce more
robust hatchlings than those incubated on artificial media (17).
Larger and healthier hatchlings generally grow more rapidly and stand
a better chance of survival (17).
Headstarted hatchlings released in 1980 showed excellent survival
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
and growth through 1985 (17).
Life History - 4 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling water levels
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human use of habitats
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Creating Artificial Habitat/Nesting Structure
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Native Vertebrates
Adverse Incidental Capturing/Killing
Existing Incidental Capturing/Killing
Adverse Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Existing Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Adverse Collecting
Existing Collecting
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Food Supply Reduction
Existing Food Supply Reduction
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Shoreline modification/development
Existing Shoreline modification/development
Adverse Suppressing wildfire
Existing Suppressing wildfire
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Although precolonial man has been credited with the use of the
red-bellied turtle for food (19,21), it is doubtful that this turtle
was ever overutilized by man, in spite of references to the contrary
(19).
Endangered status is probably mostly the result of this animal's
extremely restricted geographic range. All inhabited ponds are
confined to a small area in Plymouth County and over half of the known
population is found in one pond (22). Accelerated housing development
and the resultant habitat modification pose a serious threat to the
Plymouth red-bellied turtle (04,22). It is not known what impact
current agricultural practices may have on the turtle. The use of
insecticides in cranberry cultivation has been suggested as a possible
threat (22), while clearing and earth moving activities adjacent to
cranberry growing operations have been suggested to benefit nesting
females in that they prefer to nest in open recently disturbed
substrates (23). Manipulation of aquatic vegetation with herbicides
could seriously impact the turtle's food resources (22). The negative
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
impact of collection and harassment by residents (22) has had some
effect on the population, but it is probably minor compared with the
habitat development impact and levels of predation on eggs and young
(04,23,24,25).
The recent loss of natural nesting habitat at one of the ponds
(17) is disturbing. Very little area is left there for females to
select from; people's yards are used more often than in the past (17).
Recent overprotection from fire has been a factor in reducing the
availability of well insolated nesting beaches (22), but the effects
on the population are not known. The pine barrens habitat was
frequently burned in precolonial and early colonial times, and thereby
kept more open than is presently the case (22).
Other negative impacts on this turtle include incidental
mortality from highway traffic, occasional shooting, use as pets, and
natural predation (07,24,25).
Climatic limitations on this turtle may be important since P. r.
bangsi is a disjunct northern relict of a primarily southern species
and genus (22). It has been reported that all female red-bellied
turtles in a given population do not produce eggs annually. In fact,
over a three-year period the percent of females found gravid during
nesting season at Federal Pond ranged from 28.6-36.8% (24). It is
likely that this phenomenon, as yet unexplained, is a consequence of
the rigors of life at such a high latitude for a principally southern
species. In addition, the successful emergence of young from nests is
probably somewhat delayed in Massachusetts compared with New Jersey
and other areas where red-bellied turtles occur. This may explain why
a portion of the young never emerge before cold weather, or die while
overwintering in the ground (17). Expansion of existing populations
under the present limiting conditions seems unlikely at best (24).
Future perceived threats include, but are not limited to, impact
of pesticides, heavy metals and other pollutants, loss of habitat for
nesting, increased predation on eggs and young, and herbicide use to
remove aquatic vegetation (food). Inbreeding may possibly reduce
genetic fitness and variability and thereby decrease survivorship
(22). Another threat could arise in the future if pond levels were
subject to extensive drawdowns as might occur if the Plymouth aquifer
were tapped as a water source for Metropolitan areas (17). Such
drawdowns could affect the turtle's food supply as well as cover.
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985 Revised Plymouth Red-Bellied
Turtle Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Newton Corner,
MA. 13 pp.
The Recovery Plan for the Plymouth red-bellied turtle recommends:
1. Protect existing populations and their habitats through land
acquisition, easement, zoning or cooperative agreements, controlling
development, and maintaining the water table.
2. Protect populations from poaching and control/remove native
vertebrates, such as red fox, skunk, and raccoon. It would seem that
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
an increase in nest predators could seriously impact the red-bellied
turtle populations if adequate nest protection measures are not
continued as management procedure. A sudden increase in bullfrog
(Rana catesbeiana) density could also bring about reduction in
survival of young once they reach the pond.
3. Expand the life history data (which is virtually complete now),
develop additional surveys and population monitoring.
4. Collect wild eggs for the purpose of head starting in a captive
environment and releasing juveniles back into the wild.
5. Habitat alterations may be needed (e.g., creating artificial
nesting beaches along the banks of ponds).
6. Conduct local information and education programs
The primary management objective is to restore and maintain
self-sustaining populations of this turtle. Reclassification to
threatened status could occur if the species increases from the
current twelve populations, totaling approximately 200 breeding-age
individuals, to at least 15 self-sustaining populations with 600
breeding-age individuals. The potential for recovery is reasonable if
nest predation can be prevented and if headstarting of young is done
on a larger scale than in the past. Due to the limited range of this
species delisting may not be possible.
A multivariate discriminant analysis of water chemistry data is
planned for the spring of 1986
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Graham, T.E. 1971. Growth rate of the red-bellied turtle,
Chrysemys rubriventris, at Plymouth, Massachusetts. Copeia
1971:353-356.
02 Carr, A.F. 1952. Handbook of Turtles. Comstock Publ., Ithaca,
N.Y. 542 pp.
03 Babcock, H.L. 1938. Field guide to New England turtles. Nat.
Hist. Guide No.2, New Eng. Mus. Nat. Hist., Boston. Printed for
Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 56 pp.
04 Graham, T.E. 1985. IN: Rare and endangered vertebrates of
Massachusetts. Nongame and Endangered Species Publication,
Mass. Div. Fish. Wildl. (In press).
05 Graham, T.E. 1980. Redbelly blues. Animals 113(1):17-21.
06 Conant, R. 1951. The red-bellied terrapin, Pseudemys rubriventris
(Le Conte) in Pennsylvania. Ann. Carnegie Mus. 32:281-290.
07 Graham, T.E. 1969. Pursuit of the Plymouth turtle. Int. Turtle
Tort. Soc. J. 3(1):10-13.
08 Graham, T.E. 1978. Morphometric variation in the red-bellied
turtle, Chrysemys rubriventris. Talk presented 2 June 1978, ASIH
Mtg., Tempe, AR.
09 Iverson, J.T. 1981. Personal communication. Biology Department,
Earlham College, Richmond, IN 47374.
10 Babcock, H.L. 1937. A new subspecies of the red-bellied terrapin,
Pseudemys rubriventris (Le Conte). Occ. Pap. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist.
8:293-294.
11 Anonymous. 1985. Endangered species permit, PRT-690389, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, U.S. Dept. Int., Washington, D.C.
12 Graham, T.E. 1978. Unpublished results of morphometrics analysis
done March-April 1978.
13 Schmidt, K.P. 1953. A check list of North American amphibians and
reptiles. Am. Soc. Ichthyol. Herpetol.
14 Anonymous. 1956. Common names for North American amphibians and
reptiles. Copeia 1956(3):172-185.
15 Anonymous. 1978. Standard common and current scientific names for
North American amphibians and reptiles. Commiss. on Common and
Scientific Names, SSAR. 36 pp.
16 Babcock, H.L. 1919. Turtles of New England. Mem. Boston Soc.
Nat. Hist. 8(3):325-431.
17 Graham, T.E. 1985. Unpublished observations.
18 Graham, T.E. 1981. Unpublished morphometric reanalysis of
Pseudemys rubriventris.
19 Waters, J. 1962. Former distribution of the red-bellied turtle in
the northeast. Copeia 1962:649-651.
20 Anonymous. 1980. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants;
listing as endangered with critical habitat for the Plymouth
red-bellied turtle in Massachusetts. Federal Register
45(65):21828-21833.
21 Bullen, R. 1949. Excavations in northeastern Massachusetts.
Pap. Peabody Found. Vol.1, No.3.
22 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Revised Plymouth
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
Red-bellied Turtle Recovery Plan, Draft. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Newton Corner, MA.
23 Graham, T.E. 1984. Summary report to Mass. Dept. Fish. Wildl.
December 31, 1984.
24 Graham, T.E. 1983. Summary report to Mass. Dept. Fish. Wildl.
December 31, 1983.
25 Graham, T.E. 1984. Pseudemys rubriventris (red-bellied turtle)
predation. Herp. Rev. 15:19-20.
26 Graham, T.E. 1985. A proposal to the Nongame and Endangered
Species Program, Mass. Div. Fish. & Wildl., for a contract in
support of research on the status and recovery of the endangered
Plymouth red-bellied turtle in southeastern Massachusetts.
27 Graham, T.E. 1983. Life history and status studies of the
red-bellied turtle, Pseudemys rubriventris, in southeastern
Massachusetts. Final Report to MDFW, 1 June 1983.
28 Graham, T.E. 1981. The status of the Plymouth red-bellied turtle,
Chrysemys rubriventris bangsi, from southeastern Massachusetts.
Quarterly Report #3 to OES, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
FY 1980-81. 1 January 1981.
29 Anonymous. 1979. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants;
reproposal of critical habitat for the Plymouth red-bellied turtle.
Federal Register 44(179). 13 September 1979.
30 Graham, T.E. 1981. New approaches to endangered turtle research.
Bios 52(3):121-126.
31 Graham, T.E. 1985. Aspects of the winter ecology of the
endangered red-bellied turtle, Pseudemys rubriventris, in
southeastern Massachusetts. Contributed paper, Combined Mtg.
SSAR/HL. University of South Florida, Tampa, 8 August 1985.
32 Lucas, F.A. 1916. Occurrence of Pseudemys at Plymouth,
Massachusetts. Copeia 38:98-100.
33 Graham, T.E. 1982. Revelations on red-bellies. Sanctuary
21(9):8,10.
34 Graham, T.E. 1982. Life history and status studies of the
red-bellied turtle, Pseudemys rubriventris, in southeastern
Massachusetts. Progress Report to MDFW, 7 November 1982.
35 Graham, T.E. 1982. Life history and status studies of the
red-bellied turtle, Pseudemys (=Chrysemys) rubriventris bangsi, in
southeastern Massachusetts. Final Report to MDFW, 1 June 1982.
36 Graham, T.E. 1981. Status and ecology of the Endangered Plymouth
red-bellied turtle, Pseudemys rubriventris bangsi, in southeastern
Massachusetts. Final Report to MDFW, 7 July 1981.
37 Graham, T.E. 1980. The status, distribution, history, threats,
and possible management recommendations for the Plymouth
red-bellied turtle in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Prog. Rep.
#4 to OES, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1 April 1980.
38 Babcock, H.L. 1916. An addition to the Chelonian fauna of
Massachusetts. Copeia 38:95-98.
39 Ernst, C.H. and R.W. Barbour. 1972. Turtles of the United States.
Univ. Press of Kentucky. 347 pp.
40 Graham, T.E. 1971. Eggs and hatchlings of the red-bellied turtle
Chrysemys rubriventris, from Plymouth, Massachusetts. J. Herpetol.
5(1-2):59-60.
41 Bull, J.J. and R.C. Vogt. 1979. Temperature-dependent sex
References - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, RED-BELLIED, PLYMOUTH
Species Id ESIS155001
Date 14 MAR 96
determination in turtles. Science 206:1186-1188.
42 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1980. Final Rule to determine the
Plymouth red-bellied turtle as Endangered with Critical Habitat.
Federal Register 45:21833.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Lucas, F.A. 1916. Occurrence of Pseudemys at Plymouth,
Massachusetts. Copeia 38:98-100.
02 Graham, T.E. and B.G. Blodget. 1982. Performance report to the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. December 14, 1982.
03 Graham, T.E. 1983. Summary report to Mass. Dept. Fish. Wildl.
December 31, 1983.
04 Graham, T.E. 1984. Summary report to Mass. Dept. Fish. Wildl.
December 31, 1984.
05 Graham, T.E. 1980. Final report to OES, U.S. FWS. April 1, 1980.
06 Sorrie, B.A. 1981. Personal communicationo. December 1, 1981.
Mass. Nat. Her. Prog., 100 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02202.
07 Graham, T.E. 1969. Pursuit of the Plymouth turtle. Int. Turtle
Tort. Soc. J. 3(1):10-13.
08 Graham, T.E. 1982. Second find of Pseudemys rubriventris at
Ipswich, Massachusetts, and refutation of the Naushon Island
record. Herpetological Review 13(3):82-83.
09 Bullen, R. 1949. Excavations in northeastern Massachusetts.
Pap. Peabody Found. Vol.1, No.3.
10 Waters, J. 1962. Former distribution of the red-bellied turtle in
the northeast. Copeia 1962:649-651.
11 Babcock, H.L. 1916. An addition to the Chelonian fauna of
Massachusetts. Copeia 38:95-98.
12 Babcock, H.L. 1919. Turtles of New England. Mem. Boston Soc.
Nat. Hist. 8(3):325-431.
13 Babcock, H.L. 1937. A new subspecies of the red-bellied terrapin,
Pseudemys rubriventris (Le Conte). Occ. Pap. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist.
8:293-294.
14 Waters, J.H. 1966. Second find of red-bellied turtle on Martha's
Vineyard Island, Massachusetts.
15 Rhodin, A.G.J. and T. Largy. 1984. Prehistoric occurrence of the
red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys rubiventris) at Concord, Middlesex
County, Massachusetts. Herp. Rev. 15:107.
References - 3