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Decline of red-eared sliders (Trachemys
scripta elegans) and Texas spiny softshells (Apalone spinifera
emoryi) in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas
Brown, Donald J.; Schultz, Amanda D.; Dixon, James R.; Dickerson, Brian E.; Forstner, Michael R. J. 2012. Decline of red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) and Texas spiny softshells (Apalone spinifera emoryi) in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 11(1): 138-143.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2744/CCB-0928.1
In 2009, we repeated a freshwater turtle survey first conducted in 1976 in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas to determine whether the abundance of freshwater turtles in the LRGV has changed over the past three decades. We captured significantly fewer red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) and Texas spiny softshells (Apalone spinifera emoryi) in 2 recently urbanized counties (Cameron and Hidalgo), and more red-eared sliders and Texas spiny softshells in a nonurbanized county (Willacy). Landuse changes, increased urbanization, and commercial turtle harvest are likely responsible for the decline of freshwater turtles in the LRGV.
Keywords: red-eared sliders, Trachemys scripta elegans, Texas spiny softshells, Apalone spinifera emoryi, Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV)
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Title: RMRS Other
Publications: Decline of red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta
elegans) and Texas spiny softshells (Apalone spinifera
emoryi) in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas
Electronic Publish Date: September 12, 2012
Last Update: September
12, 2012