- Black-knobbed map turtle
-
Black-knobbed map turtle 
Black-knobbed map turtle hatchlings Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Emydidae Subfamily: Deirochelyinae Genus: Graptemys Species: G. nigrinoda Binomial name Graptemys nigrinoda
Cagle, 1954Subspecies - G. n. nigrinoda Cagle, 1954 – Black-knobbed Map Turtle
- G. n. delticola Folkerts & Mount, 1969 – Delta Map Turtle[1]
The black-knobbed map turtle (Graptemys nigrinoda) (formerly known as the black-knobbed sawback turtle) is a small to medium sized aquatic turtle with light gray skin.[2] Some of the most distinguishing characteristics of the black-knobbed map turtle, and the Graptemys genus, are the protruding “spikes” on the turtle’s shell. This species resides mainly in the fall lines of rivers in the Mobile Bay drainage, in Alabama and Mississippi.[3]
Contents
Description
The shell of Graptemys nigrinoda is slightly domed with the first 4 vertebrae possessing backward-projecting, knob-like processes, which are black in color. The second and third processes are more dominant in size compared to the first and fourth. With aging females the knobs are reduced to small swellings.[2]
The shell of the turtle is dark olive-brown in color.[3] Within each pleural, or “plate”, of the shell are yellow-green circular rings which are outlined in black.[2] Hatchlings are similar in color to adults, but the colors tend to be more vibrant and contrasting.[4] The knob-like processes are compressed laterally.
Their head is small and is dark brown with yellow stripes with yellow crescents behind the eye facing towards the posterior end of the turtle. These stripes continue on the legs of the turtle also, with the underside being lighter than the dorsal.[5]
Sexual dimorphism is evident in this species. Females are roughly twice the size of males. Also, females’ shells tend to be higher than males, though the males have longer tails than the females.[4] Sizes have been recorded as ranging from 7.6-10.2 cm (3-4”) in males and 10.2-19.1 cm (4-7.5”) in females.
Distribution
The black-knobbed map turtle is endemic to the southeastern United States.[2] In Alabama, they are found in the Mobile Bay drainage. In Mississippi, they are found in the Tombigbee River system and in the Black Warrior River as far north as Jefferson County, Alabama.[2] They are only able to survive in fresh water, thus they are only found within fresh water river systems.[2]
Habitat and ecology
Black-knobbed map turtles are seasonally active in April- late November.[4] Basking is a routine part of their day, occurring in the early morning and early afternoon.[4][6] Thermoregulation is thought to be the reason for basking, along with the removal of parasites and algae growth.[6]
When approached, they jump into the nearby water. Once in the water, they seek protection between the branches of fallen trees on the river bottom.[7] Most of the riverbeds they live in have sand and clay bottoms with moderate currents.[3] Hatchlings prefer more sluggish waters off the main channel.[2]
Little is known about foraging behavior. However, this species has been observed to consume beetles and dragonflies that have fallen into the river.[6] Upon examination of both female and male stomach matter, Lahanas[4] found a distinction of food material percentages. Males had roughly 58% animal matter and 40% plant matter, while females had 70% animal matter and 29% plant matter. The three primary sources of animal matter came form freshwater sponges, bryozoans, and mollusks. The only plant matter found was a freshwater alga.
Males reach sexual maturity at around 3–4 years and females reach it around 7–8 years. Females have a clutch size of roughly 5 eggs and can lay 3-4 clutches in a year.[2] Nesting occurs from May- August, and occurs nocturnally on the sandbank.[4] This species feeds primarily on insects.[3]
Conservation
Currently this species is classified as Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in sub category 3-C, but classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List. The black-knobbed map turtle is most likely threatened by habitat degradation and encroachment by humans. Humans have been known to remove dead logs that line the shoreline of rivers, which the turtle uses for basking in the sun. Also, indirect disturbances of nest sites may become an issue. Additionally, the turtle population could decline due to the consumption of their eggs by humans or other predators.[4] Fisherman, though in most cases not purposely, can kill turtles via their trotlines, gill nets, and hoop nets.[4]
Most of the lands encompassed by the species habitat are protected lands, but the rivers remain vulnerable. Mobile River Basin Aquatic Ecosystem Recovery Plan[8] has been implemented to address the needs of 22 aquatic species. One of these species is the red bellied turtle(Pseudemys rubriventris), whose habitat overlaps with Graptemys nigrinoda, and therefore will be beneficial to the black-knobbed map turtle.
Captive breeding has been an option for conservation efforts also. It has been determined that captive breeding is plausible for increasing population sizes in captivity.[6] However, it remains unclear if captive bred black-knobbed map turtles can be released into the wild and breed on their own.
References
- ^ Graptemys nigrinoda, Reptile Database
- ^ a b c d e f g h Blankenship, Emmett L., Brian P. Butterfield, and James C. Goodwin. 2008. "Grapemys Nigrinoda Cagle 1954- Black-Knobbed Map Turtle, Black-knobbed Sawback." Coservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: n. pag. Print.
- ^ a b c d Bebler & King. 1979 "Pond and Box Turtle Family." The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians. 2nd ed. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 462-63. Print.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lahanas, P.N. 1982. Aspects of the history of the southern black-knobbed map, Grapemys nigrinoda delticola Folkerts and Mount. Master’s Thesis, Auburn University, Alabama.
- ^ Mount, R.H. 1975. The Reptiles and Amphibians of Alabama. Auburn Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta. Auburn, Alabama, 347 pp.
- ^ a b c d Waters, J.C. 1974. The Biological significance of the basking habit in the black-knobbed map, Grapemys nigrinoda Cagle. Master’s Thesis, Auburn University, Alabama
- ^ "Black-knobbed Map Turtle." Graptemys.com Map Turtles. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2011. <http://www.graptemys.com/gnigrinodanigrinoda.htm>
- ^ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2000. Mobile River Basin Aquatic Ecosystem Recovery Plan. Atlanta, GA, 128 pp.
- Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group 1996. Graptemys nigrinoda. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 July 2007.
Order Testudines (turtles) Suborder SuperfamilySubfamily
Cryptodira Chelydra · MacrochelysCaretta · Chelonia · Eretmochelys · Lepidochelys · NatatorDermochelysDermatemydidaeDermatemysStaurotypinaeClaudius · StaurotypusBatagur · Cuora · Cyclemys · Geoclemys · Geoemyda · Hardella · Heosemys · Leucocephalon · Malayemys · Mauremys · Melanochelys · Morenia · Notochelys · Orlitia · Pangshura · Rhinoclemmys · Sacalia · Siebenrockiella · VijayachelysAldabrachelys · Astrochelys · Chelonoidis · Chersina · Cylindraspis · Geochelone · Gopherus · Homopus · Indotestudo · Kinixys · Malacochersus · Manouria · Psammobates · Pyxis · Stigmochelys · TestudoTrionychiaCarettochelyidaeCarettochelysTrionychinaePleurodira ChelidinaeChelodininaeHydromedusinaePelomedusa · PelusiosPhylogenetic arrangement based on turtles of the world 2010 update: annotated checklist. Extinct turtles not included.
See also List of Testudines families
Portal · 
WikiProjectCategories:- IUCN Red List near threatened species
- Reptiles of the United States
- Graptemys
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
