Examine individual changes

'{{short description|Species of turtle}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}} {{Speciesbox | image = Floridasoftshellturtle-cropped.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name=iucn>van Dijk, P.P. (2011). [http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/165597/0 ''Apalone ferox''.] In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. Downloaded on 21 July 2013.</ref> | genus = Apalone | species = ferox | authority = ([[Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider|Schneider]], 1783) <!--| synonyms = ''Testudo ferox'' Schneider, 1783<br/>''Testudo mollis'' [[Bernard Germain de Lacépède|Lacépède]], 1788<br/>''Testudo ferox verrucosa'' [[Johann David Schoepf|Schoepff]], 1795<br/>''Testudo bartrami'' [[François Marie Daudin|Daudin]], 1802<br/>''Trionyx carinatus'' [[Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire|Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire]], 1809<br/>''Trionyx georgianus'' [[Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire|Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire]], 1809<br/>''Trionyx ferox'' – [[August Friedrich Schweigger|Schweigger]], 1812<br/>''Trionyx brogniarti'' [[August Friedrich Schweigger|Schweigger]], 1812<br/>''Aspidonectes ferox'' – [[Johann Georg Wagler|Wagler]], 1830<br/>''Aspidonectes carinatus'' – [[Johann Georg Wagler|Wagler]], 1830<br/>''Trionyx harlani'' [[Thomas Bell (zoologist)|Bell]], 1835<br/>''Platypeltis ferox'' – [[Leopold Fitzinger|Fitzinger]], 1843<br/>''Amyda ferox'' – Allen, 1932<br/>''Apalone ferox'' – Meylan, 1987<ref>The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.</ref>--> | range_map = Apalone ferox.png | range_map_caption = Florida softshell turtle range<ref>{{cite journal |last1=U.S. Geological Survey |title=Florida Softshell (''Apalone ferox'') rFLSOx_CONUS_2001v1 Range Map |journal=Gap Analysis Project |date=2017 |doi=10.5066/F78051R8 }}</ref> | synonyms = * ''Testudo ferox'' {{small|Schneider, 1783}} * ''Testudo mollis'' {{small|[[Bernard Germain de Lacépède|Lacépède]], 1788}} * ''Testudo bartrami'' {{small|[[François Marie Daudin|Daudin]], 1801}} * ''Emydes ferox'' {{small|— [[Alexandre Brongniart|Brongniart]], 1805}} * ''Chelys bartramii''<br/>{{small|[[Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire|Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire]], 1809}}<br/>(''[[ex errore]]'') * ''Trionyx carinatus''<br/>{{small|Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809}} * ''Trionyx georgianus''<br/>{{small|Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809}} * ''Trionyx georgicus''<br/>{{small|Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809}} * ''Trionyx brongniarti''<br/>{{small|[[August Friedrich Schweigger|Schweigger]], 1812}} * ''Trionyx ferox'' {{small|— Schweigger, 1812}} * ''Amyda ferox'' {{small|— [[Lorenz Oken|Oken]], 1816}} * ''Trionix ferox'' {{small|— [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1825}} * ''Aspidonectes carinatus''<br/>{{small|— [[Johann Georg Wagler|Wagler]], 1830}} * ''Aspidonectes ferox''<br/>{{small|— Wagler, 1830}} * ''Trionyx bartrami''<br/>{{small|— [[John Eatton LeConte|LeConte]], 1830}} * ''Testudo brongniartii'' {{small|Gray, 1831}} (''ex errore'') * ''Mesodeca bartrami''<br/>{{small|— [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque|Rafinesque]], 1832}} * ''Testudo bartramii''<br/>{{small|— [[André Marie Constant Duméril|A.M.C. Duméril]] & [[Gabriel Bibron|Bibron]], 1835}} * ''Trionyx brongnartii''<br/>{{small|A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1835}}<br/>(''ex errore'') * ''Trionyx harlani'' {{small|[[Thomas Bell (zoologist)|Bell]], 1835}} * ''Platypeltis ferox''<br/>{{small|— [[Leopold Fitzinger|Fitzinger]], 1843}} * ''Aspenodectes ferox''<br/>{{small|— LeConte, 1854}} * ''Platypeltis brongnartii''<br/>{{small|— [[Oliver Perry Hay|O.P. Hay]], 1903}} * ''Platypeltis erox'' {{small|O.P. Hay, 1903}} (''ex errore'') * ''Amyda ferox ferox'' {{small|— [[Wilfred T. Neill|Neill]], 1951}} * ''Trionyx ferox ferox''<br/>{{small|— [[Karl Patterson Schmidt|Schmidt]], 1953}} * ''Apalone ferox'' {{small|— [[Peter Andre Meylan|Meylan]], 1987}} * ''Trionix feroz'' {{small|[[Enrique Richard|Richard]], 1999}}<br/>(''ex errore'') | synonyms_ref = <ref name=fritz>{{Cite journal|journal=Vertebrate Zoology |title=Checklist of Chelonians of the World |year=2007 |author=Fritz, U. |author2=Havaš, P. |volume=57 |issue=2 |pages=305–306 |issn=1864-5755 |url=http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/851.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501060224/http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/851.pdf |archive-date=1 May 2011 |access-date=29 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> }} The '''Florida softshell turtle''' (''Apalone ferox'') is a [[species]] of [[Trionychidae|softshell]] turtle native to the Southeastern United States.<ref>Iverson, J. B., and P. E. Moler. “The Female Reproductive Cycle of the Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone Ferox).” Journal of Herpetology, vol. 31, no. 3, 1997, pp. 399–409, https://doi.org/10.2307/1565669. Accessed 5 Apr. 2022.</ref><ref name=raf>Rafinesque, Constantine S. "12. Description of two new genera of Soft Shell Turtles of North America." Atlantic Journal, and Friend of Knowledge. In Eight Numbers. Containing About 160 Original Articles and Tracts on Natural and Historical Sciences, the Description of About 150 New Plants, and 100 New Animals or Fossils. Many Vocabularies of Languages, Historical and Geological Facts, &c.(1832-1833) 1.2 (1832): 64. </ref> ==Geographic range== The Florida softshell turtle is found primarily in the state of [[Florida]], but it also ranges to southern sections of [[South Carolina]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], and [[Alabama]].<ref name=usgs>[https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=1273 ''Apalone ferox'' (Schneider, 1783).] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808025706/http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?SpeciesID=1273 |date=8 August 2009 }} USGS.</ref> It is the only species of softshell turtle whose range spans the entire Florida peninsula.<ref name=":62">Meylan, P.A. and Moler, P.E. 2006. ''Apalone ferox'' – Florida Softshell Turtle. In: P.A. Meylan (ed.), ''Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles'', pp. 160–168. Chelonian Research Foundation, Lunenburg, MA.</ref> They are native to the southeastern United States. Out of the Trionychidae family, the Florida softshell occupies the smallest range === Habitat use === The Florida softshell turtle is a widespread species and occupies almost every freshwater habitat, even tolerating some [[Brackish water|brackish]] environments; however, it is not often found in water with strong currents, preferring habitats with slow-moving or still water. These different habitats include swamps, lakes, marshes, wet prairies, small rivers, creeks, and even ponds formed in man-made ditches or sinkholes.<ref>Duellman W.e., and Schwartz, A. 1958. Amphibians and reptiles of southern Florida. Bulletin of the Florida State Museum, Biological Sciences 3:181–324.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000213/00001|title=A contribution to the herpetology of Florida by Archie Fairly Carr, Jr|website=ufdc.ufl.edu|access-date=12 November 2018}}</ref><ref>WEBB, R.G. 1962. North American Recent soft-shelled turtles (Family Trionychidae). University of Kansas Publications of the Museum of Natural History13:429–611.</ref><ref>Neill, W.T. 1958. The occurrence of amphibians and reptiles in saltwater areas, and a bibliography. Bulletin of Marine Science, Gulf and Caribbean 8:1–97.</ref> [[File:Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox) at Lake Woodruff - Flickr - Andrea Westmoreland.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|Florida softshell turtle (''Apalone ferox'') close-up]] [[File:Apalone feroxHolbrookV2P01A.jpg|left|thumb|Countershading in Florida softshell turtle (''A. ferox'')]] [[File:Apalone_ferox_by_LA_Dawson.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|Juvenile coloration in Florida softshell turtle (''A ferox'')]] [[File:Apalone ferox (head).jpg|alt=|thumb|Close-up of head of the Florida softshell turtle]] ==Description== The Florida softshell turtle is a large turtle with a flattened, pancake-like body, a long neck, an elongated head with a long [[Snorkel (swimming)|snorkel-like]] nose, and large webbed feet, each with three claws. While most turtles have hard [[Turtle shell|shells]] composed of [[scute]]s, the Florida softshell has a [[Cartilage|cartilaginous]] [[carapace]] covered in leathery skin. Ranging from olive green to dark brown, it has the darkest coloration of all the softshell species that inhabit Florida (other species include ''Apalone mutica calvata'' and ''[[Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle|Apalone spinifera aspera]]''). It is also characterized by a white or cream-colored underside.<ref name="apalone">[http://www.tortoise.org/archives/apalone.html ''Apalone''.] www.tortoise.org</ref><ref name=":62"/> This color pattern is known as [[countershading]] and is a form of [[camouflage]] to conceal turtles from potential [[predator]]s.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091221212502/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/6838752/Heron-tries-to-swallow-turtle-for-dinner.html "Heron tries to swallow turtle for dinner".] ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''. 18 December 2009.</ref> It is also the largest species of softshell turtle found in Florida and all of North America, ranging from 15 to 76&nbsp;cm (5.9 to 29.9&nbsp;in) in length.<ref name="apalone" /> The Florida softshell also exhibits significant sexual size dimorphism. Adult females are often 3-5x larger than males. Males have a carapace length and body weight averaging about 35&nbsp;cm (14&nbsp;in) and 2.68&nbsp;kg (5.9&nbsp;lb) respectively. Nesting adult females were found to average {{convert|6.65|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in weight and measure {{convert|40.1|cm|in|abbr=on}} in carapace length, with the record weight documented at {{convert|43.6|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Meylan">Meylan, P.A.; Schuler, R.; Moler, P. (2002). "Spermatogenic cycle of the Florida softshell turtle, ''Apalone ferox'' ". ''Copeia'' '''2002''' (3): 779–786.</ref><ref name=":0">Iverson, J.B.; Moler, P.E. (1997). "The female reproductive cycle of the Florida softshell turtle (''Apalone ferox'')". ''Journal of Herpetology'' '''31''' (3): 399–409.</ref> However, males tend to have longer tails than their female counterparts (3&nbsp;cm longer than a female of the same size). [[Hatchling]]s have a lighter carapace with yellow and orange markings and a carapacial rim. Stripes in the same color are also found on the face and neck. Their [[Turtle shell|plastron]] is generally dark in color. As the turtle ages, these colors fade and are lost, resulting in the dark-brown coloration characteristic of adults.<ref name="apalone" /><ref name=":62" /> ==Behavior== The Florida softshell turtle is almost entirely [[Aquatic animal|aquatic]], only emerging from the water to [[Sunning (behaviour)|bask]] or to lay [[egg (biology)|eggs]].<ref name=apalone/> In the water, it prefers to bury itself in the sandy/muddy [[Substrate (biology)|substrate]]. Like all softshells, it is very fast-moving in water and on land.<ref name=apalone/> While this species is [[Omnivore|omnivorous]], its diet consists largely of meat, consuming mainly fish, insects, [[crustacean]]s, frogs and [[Mollusca|mollusks]]. It may also [[Scavenger|scavenge]].<ref name=iucn/> == Reproduction == === Males === The [[Biological life cycle|reproductive cycle]] of male Florida softshell turtles follows a postnuptial pattern, with a cycle of spring mating followed by [[spermatogenesis]] in the fall. The male will produce [[sperm]] during the fall and store that sperm in the [[Epididymis|epididymides]] through the winter. This stored sperm can then be utilized for [[copulation]] during the following spring [[mating]] season. Evidence suggests that they undergo spermatogenesis every year. Males of this species reach [[sexual maturity]] at small sizes (below 0.7&nbsp;kg), allowing them to begin [[Reproduction|reproducing]] quickly following birth. This implies that some males may be able to reproduce as young as two years of age.<ref name="Meylan" /> === Females === While males consistently reach sexual maturity at small sizes, that size is larger and more variable in females. Some may reach maturity at a plastron length of 24&nbsp;cm, and others may not mature until they reach a length closer to 30&nbsp;cm. The onset of sexual maturity will occur anywhere from 5 – 8 years of age. The female nesting season can range anywhere from early April to early August, and [[Egg incubation|incubation]] lasts an average of 60 – 90 days. In a study examining female reproduction, almost 10% of the females examined in a single breeding season showed signs of inactive [[Ovary|ovaries]], implying that, unlike males, females may not possess the ability to reproduce every year. Florida softshell females have the ability to produce an average of 4 – 5 egg [[Clutch (eggs)|clutches]] in a single breeding season, potentially producing a new clutch every three weeks. Florida softshell turtles have one of the highest annual egg production rates of any reptile. The study previously mentioned showed an average of over 20 eggs per clutch, with the largest clutch containing 38 eggs.<ref name=":62" /><ref name=":0" /> ==Ecology== With a primarily [[Carnivore|carnivorous]] diet, adult Florida softshell turtles function as major predators in their aquatic ecosystems. Sitting high on the [[Trophic level|trophic scale]], they generally function as [[Trophic level|secondary]] or [[Trophic level|tertiary consumers]].<ref>Aresco, M. J., and F. C. James. 2005. Ecological relationships of turtles in northern Florida lakes: a study of omnivory and the structure of a lake food web. Final report. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.</ref> However, [[alligator]]s have been known to prey on the adults of the Florida softshell turtle, and [[Bird of prey|raptors]] may take juveniles. Nest predators include the [[fish crow]], foxes, [[raccoon]]s, [[skunk]]s, and [[North American river otter|river otters]].<ref name=iucn/><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Stacy|first1=Brian A.|last2=Wolf|first2=Dan A.|last3=Wellehan|first3=James F. X.|year=2014|title=Large-scale Predation by River Otters (''Lontra canadensis'') on Florida Cooter (''Pseudemys floridana'') and Florida Softshell Turtles (''Apalone ferox'')|journal=Journal of Wildlife Diseases|volume=50|issue=4|pages=906–910|doi=10.7589/2013-10-271|pmid=25098299|s2cid=40726994|issn=0090-3558}}</ref> At various lakes across the state of Florida ([[Lake Okeechobee|Okeechobee]], [[Lake Apopka|Apopka]], [[Lake Griffin State Park|Griffin]], and [[Lake Jesup|Jesup]]) scientists have observed Florida softshell females, as well as other turtle species (''[[Florida red-bellied cooter|Pseudemys nelsoni]]'', ''[[Kinosternon]]'' sp., and ''[[Sternotherus odoratus]]'') laying their eggs in [[American alligator]] (''Alligator mississippiensis'') nests during the summer months. While the turtles may utilize vacant nests more often, they have also been known to lay eggs in occupied alligator nests. They use these nests more often in areas with limited nesting habitats and/or during years with heavier precipitation when high water levels and flooding further reduce the number of suitable nesting sites.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Enge|first1=Kevin M.|last2=Percival|first2=H. Franklin|last3=Rice|first3=Kenneth G.|last4=Jennings|first4=Michael L.|last5=Masson|first5=Gregory R.|last6=Woodward|first6=Allan R.|year=2000|title=Summer Nesting of Turtles in Alligator Nests in Florida|journal=Journal of Herpetology|volume=34|issue=4|pages=497–503|doi=10.2307/1565262|jstor=1565262}}</ref> Despite the Florida softshell's use of alligator nests, studies have shown the highest abundance of Florida softshell turtles to persist in lakes with little to no alligators as well as high [[Primary production|primary productivity]], suggesting a combination of [[Top-down and bottom-up design|top-down]] and [[Top-down and bottom-up design|bottom-up]] influences on softshell populations.<ref>Aresco, M. J. (2009). Environmental correlates of the abundances of three species of freshwater turtles in lakes of northern Florida. ''Copeia'', '''2009''' (3), 545–555.</ref> == Anthropogenic threats == The Florida softshell turtle is common throughout Florida and other parts of its range. However, wild populations are subject to various threats at the hands of humans. Some of these threats include commercial harvesting for meat, harvesting for the [[pet trade]], and roadway mortalities.<ref>ENGE, K.M. 1993. Herptile use and trade in Florida, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm. Nongame Wildlife Program Final Performance Report. 102 pp, Tallahassee, FL</ref><ref>Aresco, M. J. (2005). Mitigation measures to reduce highway mortality of turtles and other herpetofauna at a north Florida lake. ''The Journal of Wildlife Management'', '''69''' (2), 549–560.</ref> ==Diet== The Florida softshells are carnivores with their main diet consisting of small snails and fish. They also eat amphibians, insects, and mollusks and some waterfowl. These turtles will hunt, chase, and scavenge for prey.<ref name=raf/> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== *[[John L. Behler|Behler, J.L.]]; King, F.W. (1979). ''The Audubon Society Field Guide to North AmericanReptiles and Amphibians''. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 743 pp. {{ISBN|0-394-50824-6}}. (''Trionyx ferox'', pp.&nbsp;483–484 + Plates 272, 273). *[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger, G.A.]] (1889). ''Catalogue of the Chelonians, Rhynchocephalians, and Crocodiles in the British Museum (Natural History). New Edition''. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). x + 311 pp. + Plates I–III. (''Trionyx ferox'', p.&nbsp;259). *[[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant, R.]] (1975). ''A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition''. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. xviii + 429 pp. + Plates 1–48. {{ISBN|0-395-19979-4}} (hardcover), {{ISBN|0-395-19977-8}} (paperback). (''Trionyx ferox'', p.&nbsp;81 + Plates 6, 12 + Map 35). *[[Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider|Schneider, J.G.]] (1783). ''Allgemeine Naturgeschichte der Schildkröten, nebst einem systematischen Verzeichnisse der einzelnen Arten und zwey Kupfern'' ". Leipzig: J.G. Müller. xlviii + 364 pp. + corrigenda. (''Testudo ferox'', new species, pp.&nbsp;330–334). (in German and Latin). *[[Hobart Muir Smith|Smith, H.M.]]; Brodie, E.D., Jr. (1982). ''Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification''. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. {{ISBN|0-307-47009-1}} (hardcover), {{ISBN|0-307-13666-3}} (paperback). (''Trionyx ferox'', pp.&nbsp;32–33). *[[Leonhard Stejneger|Stejneger, L.]]; [[Thomas Barbour|Barbour, T.]] (1917). ''A Checklist of North American Amphibians and Reptiles''. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. 125 pp. (''Amyda ferox'', p.&nbsp;124). ==External links== {{Commons category|Apalone ferox}} *[http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Apalone&species=ferox&search_param=%28%28genus%3D%27Apalone%27%29%29 ''Apalone ferox''], The Reptile Database. {{Trionychidae}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q1429672}} [[Category:Apalone]] [[Category:Turtles of North America]] [[Category:Fauna of the Southeastern United States|Turtle, Florida Softshell]] [[Category:Endemic fauna of Florida]] [[Category:Reptiles described in 1783]] [[Category:Taxa named by Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider]]'