Texas map turtle

The Texas map turtle (Graptemys versa) is a species of emydid turtle endemic to Texas.

Texas map turtle
A Texas map turtle in Kimble County, TX
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Superfamily:	Testudinoidea
Family:	Emydidae
Genus:	Graptemys
Species:	G. versa
Binomial name
Graptemys versa Stejneger, 1925
Range map
Synonyms
Graptemys pseudogeographica versa Stejneger, 1925 Graptemys versa — H.M. Smith, 1946 Malaclemys versa — McDowell, 1964 Graptemys versa — Conant, 1975

Geographic range

Endemic to Texas within the Colorado River (Texas) drainage

Description

Graptemys versa is a smaller turtle; females only attain a carapace length of 21.4 cm (8.4 in). Males are even smaller, only attaining a carapace length of 9.0 cm (3.5 in). When viewed dorsally, the carapace is oval-shaped with the widest part just above the rear legs. The posterior marginals are serrated and the carapacial scutes are convex.  A medial keel is present on the vertebral scutes with the most prominent keels being located on the first three.  The apex of these scutes are yellowish but often become worn down with age.  The base coloration of the carapace is olive green with yellow reticulations.  Juveniles and young adults often bear some slight pattern along the central seams of the plastral scutes.  However, some adults have a creamy yellow plastron free of markings.  

Diet

Map turtle researcher Peter Lindeman has documented the following dietary items from Texas map turtles: Freshwater sponges, algae, seeds, Asian clams, various aquatic insects, leeches, and crayfish.

Further reading

• Stejneger, L. 1925. New species and subspecies of American turtles. Journ. Washington Acad. Sci. 15 (20): 462–463. ("Graptemys pseudogeographica versa, new subspecies", p. 463.)

External links

• Austin's Turtle Page
• Texas Turtles
• iNaturalist