SREL Reprint #0868
Reproductive
Characteristics and Ecology of the Mud Turtle, Kinosternon Subrubrum
(Lacepede)
J.
Whitfield Gibbons
Abstract
The mud turtle (Kinsoternon subrubrum)
does not vary geographically in body size, but the number of eggs per clutch is
significantly higher at cooler latitudes. Scrutiny
of a single population in South Carolina revealed a decrease in average clutch
size during the egg-laying season. Although female body size, climate and season may be
independently or interactively important in influencing clutch size in K.
subrubrum, a high, unexplained variance indicates the influence of other
factors. Multiple clutches within a
season by individuals are frequent among South Carolina K. subrubrum
and two clutches per year may be laid in cooler regions.
Although clutch size did not vary annually in South Carolina, clutch
frequency and the proportion of females laying eggs did.
Both males and females reach maturity at 70-80 mm in carapace length
throughout the geographic range. No
evidence exists that sex ratios vary significantly from 1:1 in any populations.
Population size estimates (c=371; SE=35) for a South
Carolina population were determined for 10 years.
Key words:
Ecology; Kinosternon; Life history; Reproduction; Turtle
SREL Reprint #0868
Gibbons, J.W. 1983. Reproductive characteristics and ecology of the mud turtle, Kinosternon subrubrum (Lacepede). Herpetologica 39:254-271.
