Update of Freshwater Turtles’ Distributions for Trinidad and Possible Threat of an Exotic Introduction

Authors

  • Ryan S. Mohammed 1. Strategic Environmental Services (SES) Ltd., 5 Henry Pierre Terrace, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago and 2. Life Sciences Department, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Srishti V. Mahabir Dept. of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Alana K. Joseph Dept. of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Shiva Manickchan Dept. of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Carol Ramjohn Strategic Environmental Services (SES) Ltd., 5 Henry Pierre Terrace, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

Keywords:

Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides, Rhinoclemmys punctularia punctularia, Phrynops gibbus, Mesodemmys gibbus, Trachemys scripta elegans

Abstract

The distribution patterns for Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides is now inclusive of the western portion of Trinidad. So too Rhinoclemmys punctularia punctularia’s distribution pattern has widened to include a greater southern area. Mesodemmys gibbus is still the rarest of all three aquatic species. There is now threat of naturalization of a fourth species, Trachemys scripta elegans which is native to the southern region of North America. Reports of their escapes as well as wild sightings across Trinidad are documented.

Published

2010-12-31

Issue

Section

Research Papers