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13 May 2021 Population Ecology and Morphology of the Central Chiapas Mud Turtle (Kinosternon abaxillare)
Eduardo Reyes-Grajales, Rodrigo Macip-Ríos, John B. Iverson, Wilfredo A. Matamoros
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Abstract

The Central Chiapas Mud Turtle (Kinosternon abaxillare) is one of the least-studied turtles in Mexico. It is considered a microendemic, with a limited distribution in the Central Depression of Chiapas. In this article, we summarize its population ecology and provide a new assessment of its morphology from Villa Hidalgo, Chiapas, Mexico. We captured 168 individuals with 64 recaptures (232 total captures), and we report a population size of 231 individuals with a density of 700 turtles/ha (189 kg/ha standing crop biomass). The population showed a female-biased sex ratio (1:1.5) and the population structure was largely composed of adults. Finally, we provide a set of morphological measurements for all size classes and sexes of K. abaxillare for the first time. The plastral formula (relative lengths of midline plastral seams) was identical in all size classes and sexes (Ab > An > Gu > Hu > Fe > Pe). Females and males reached similar carapace length but not body mass. Further studies are needed to determine the overall conservation status of this range-restricted species.

© 2021 Chelonian Research Foundation
Eduardo Reyes-Grajales, Rodrigo Macip-Ríos, John B. Iverson, and Wilfredo A. Matamoros "Population Ecology and Morphology of the Central Chiapas Mud Turtle (Kinosternon abaxillare)," Chelonian Conservation and Biology 20(1), 18-26, (13 May 2021). https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-1440.1
Received: 19 February 2020; Accepted: 20 November 2020; Published: 13 May 2021
KEYWORDS
Central Chiapas Mud Turtle
Kinosternon abaxillare
morphology
plastral formula
population structure
sex ratio
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