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Zappalorti, R. T., & Iverson, J. B. (2006). Sternotherus minor – loggerhead musk turtle. In P. A. Meylan (Ed.), Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles Vol. 3, (pp. 197–206). 
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (06 Jul 2014 16:17:31 UTC)
Resource type: Book Article
BibTeX citation key: Zappalorti2006
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Categories: General
Keywords: Habitat - habitat, Kinixys belliana, Kinixys erosa, Kinixys homeana, Kinixys lobatsiana, Kinixys natalensis, Kinixys nogueyi, Kinixys spekii, Nordamerika - North America, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae
Creators: Iverson, Meylan, Zappalorti
Collection: Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles
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Abstract     
The loggerhead musk turtle, Sternotherus minor, is a small, highly aquatic species that occupies a variety of habitats throughout its range in the southeastern United States. It is a conspicuous and common freshwater turtle in the spring runs, streams, and rivers of northern and western Florida. As a result, it has been subject to some pressure from commercial collectors for sale in the pet trade. Nevertheless, these turtles are prolific and populations appear to be stable in certain Florida river systems. In fact, loggerhead musk turtles reach among the highest densities known for any species of turtle. Under ideal habitat conditions at a head spring in northwest Florida, loggerhead musk turtle density was reported to be 2857 per hectare. Sternotherus minor can be distinguished from other musk and mud turtles by the presence of a weak single plastral hinge, dark markings against a light background on the head, two barbels on the chin, three keels on a brown carapace, and overlapping carapacial scutes. In northern Florida, mating has been observed in the field in September, November, March, and April. Female receptivity to mating peaks from April to May. Females in north central Florida may lay 2 or 3 clutches of eggs each year, with a maximum of 5 clutches. These are laid between September and July, sometimes at communal nest sites. Typical clutch size ranges from 1–5 eggs (averaging 3), with the number of eggs positively correlated with female carapace length. Incubation takes 61–119 days, with slower embryonic development resulting from cool weather. Sex is determined by mean incubation temperature; only females result from temperatures of 30ºC or higher, and mostly females are produced at temperatures 27–30ºC and 24ºC or less. Mostly males are produced at intermediate temperatures of 25–26ºC. Given their ability to thrive and reproduce in suitable freshwater habitat, loggerhead musk turtles are not likely to become seriously threatened unless the water quality in the rivers and streams deteriorates.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich  
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