Flattened musk turtle

Flattened musk turtle
adult and hatchling
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
ESA)[2][3]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Family:	Kinosternidae
Genus:	Sternotherus
Species:	S. depressus
Binomial name
Sternotherus depressus Tinkle & Webb, 1955
The purple area on the map indicates where the flattened musk turtle is present
Synonyms[4]
Sternotherus depressus Tinkle & Webb, 1955 Sternothaerus depressus — Tinkle, 1958 Sternotherus minor depressus — Wermuth & Mertens, 1961 Kinosternon depressum — Iverson, Ernst, Gotte & Lovich, 1989 Kinosternon depressus — Welch, 1994

The flattened musk turtle (Sternotherus depressus) is a

A little turtle, S. depressus can have a straight carapace length of 7.5–10 cm (3.0–3.9 in) as an adult, with a record length of 11.4 cm (4+1⁄2 in). Both the common name and specific name refer to the fact that the species' carapace (upper shell) is much lower and flatter than those of the other members of the genus Sternotherus. In fact the flattened musk turtle looks as if someone had accidentally stepped on it, hence the common name.^[7]

Diet

S. depressus are omnivorous and mostly rely on gastropods (snails) and pelecypods (mussels) as a large part of their diet. Crayfish, insects, and seeds are also consumed by S. depressus, but are not a main food item. A greater portion of snails were detected in the feces of denser populations of S. depressus. ^[8]

Behavior and Movement

S. depressus have an average home range of 332 meters, although home ranges as large as a kilometer were recorded. In areas of poorer habitat, it is possible that S. depressus may have to move more to fulfill its dietary needs. Light and moderate precipitation was correlated with more overall movement for S. depressus, but not overall activity (i.e. amount of time active during the day). The breeding and nesting season showed more overall activity and movement compared to the brumation season for S. depressus. ^[9]

Basking has been observed in S. depressus on rocks, trees, and logs, although it is thought to be related to disease or overall poor health. ^[10]

Captivity

Individuals of S. depressus have survived for more than 20 years in captivity.^{[citation needed]} Although reproductive rates are low for the species, S. depressus has been bred infrequently in captivity with relative success. Future propagation efforts may be key to preserving and reintroducing the species once its habitat has been restored.

Threats and causes of decline

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Erosion and siltation from extensive strip mining for coal and damming have been the leading causes of decline in the flattened musk turtle, with clear cutting, development, and pollution also playing significant roles in habitat degradation throughout its historic range. As historically rock and bedrock bottom creeks have turned to mud and sand bottom creeks due to erosion, S. depressus has lost the rock crevices it relies on to escape predation and the high stream flow rates that characterize the streams it inhabits.

Habitat fragmentation also poses a significant threat to S. depressus. Isolated populations have the potential to lose genetic viability and threaten normal population structure. Smaller isolated populations also have less resilience to human caused disturbance, and thus are more vulnerable. ^[11]

References