TartaClubItalia

Lovich
"Two subspecies are recognized. The northwestern pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata
marmorata) ranges south to San Francisco Bay, and east to Nevada. A pair of well-developed
triangular inguinal scutes on the bridge characterizes it, and its brown or grayish neck and head
are well marked with dark dashes. The throat is pale in contrast with the sides of the head. The
southwestern pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata pallida) is found south of San Francisco Bay
including the West Mojave Planning Area (WMPA). It is identified by its poorly developed
inguinal scutes (absent in 60% of individuals), and by the uniform light color of the throat and
neck. The two races intergrade over a large area in central California (Bury, 1970; Stebbins,
1985).
Although the validity of recognized subspecies has been questioned, recent genetic
analysis using DNA fingerprinting supports their distinctiveness (Gray, 1995; Janzen et al., 1997).
Holland (1992) suggested that there are actually three species in what is currently recognized as
Clemmys marmorata including a northern species, a southern species (which would include those
in the WMPA), and an undescribed species from the Columbia River. Additionally, Janzen et al.
(1997) observed several unique genetic variants in southern California and Baja California,
suggesting that special care should be taken to preserve and manage these populations. In fact,
southern populations may be distinct enough to warrant recognition as separate species (Janzen et
al., 1997). However, no formal taxonomic revisions have been published and all populations
continue to be recognized as C. marmorata. Holland (1992) further suggested, based on
preliminary analysis, that turtles in the Mojave River showed a high level of morphological
differentiation from other populations in southern California.
Nothing has been published on the ecology of western"

caroline ha scritto:Credo che questo articolo, di J. Buskirk, è fantastico:

http://www.pondturtle.com/Buskirk,%20Ja ... 202002.pdf