Sicilian pond turtle explained

The Sicilian pond turtle (Emys trinacris) is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is endemic to Sicily.

Etymology

The specific name, trinacris, is from the Greek word Trinacria, meaning "three-pointed", the earliest known name for the island of Sicily.

Description

E. trinacris is a small turtle. Maximum straight carapace length is 14.5cm (05.7inches). The features of the turtle can vary depending on its location. This is because of a disruption in the gene flow caused by human activities like industrialization. Since there are obstacles in the way like roads and buildings, migrating to different groups is more difficult for the turtles. E. trinacris differs from E. orbicularis by its distinct mitochondrial DNA.^[1]

Habitat

The preferred habitat of E. trinacris is freshwater in ponds, lakes, rivers, and swamps.^[1]

References

Bibliography

• Web site: Turtles of the World 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution and Conservation Status . 2010-12-14 . 2010-12-15 . Rhodin . Anders G.J. . van Dijk . Peter Paul . Iverson . John B. . Shaffer . H. Bradley . https://web.archive.org/web/20110717125632/http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_000_checklist_v3_2010.pdf . 2011-07-17 . CITEREFRhodin2010 . dead.
  • Fritz, U., D’Angelo, S., Pennisi, M. G., & Valvo, M. L. (2006). Variation of Sicilian pond turtles, Emys trinacris – What makes a species cryptic? Amphibia-Reptilia, 27(4), 513–529. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853806778877095
  • Iannella, M., Cerasoli, F., D’Alessandro, P., Console, G., & Biondi, M. (2018). Coupling GIS spatial analysis and Ensemble Niche Modelling to investigate climate change-related threats to the Sicilian pond turtle Emys trinacris, an endangered species from the Mediterranean. PeerJ, 6, e4969. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4969
  • Vecchioni, L., Marrone, F., Arculeo, M., Fritz, U., & Vamberger, M. (2020). Stand out from the Crowd: Small-Scale Genetic Structuring in the Endemic Sicilian Pond Turtle. Diversity, 12(9), 343. https://doi.org/10.3390/d12090343

Further reading

• Fritz, Uwe; Fattizzo, Tiziano; Guicking, Daniela; Tripepi, Sandro; Pennisi, Maria Grazia; Lenk, Peter; Joger, Ulrich; Wink, Michael (2005). "A new cryptic species of pond turtle from southern Italy, the hottest spot in the range of the genus Emys (Reptilia, Testudines, Emydidae)". Zoologica Scripta 34 (4): 351–371. (Emys trinacris, new species).

Notes and References

1. . www.reptile-database.org.