Graptemys flavimaculata
sawback turtle
(Also: yellow-blotched map turtle; yellow-blotched sawback)

Graptemys flavimaculata are only found in the Pascagoula River drainage, occurring in the Pascagoula, Leaf,

and Chickasawhay Rivers in southern Mississippi in the United States. Based on mark and recapture studies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks biologists estimated the population at 336 individuals per mile in the lower Pascagoula River, while basking studies on the upper Pascagoula, Leaf and Chickasawhay rivers revealed an average of four turtles per mile (USFWS 1992).

Graptemys flavimaculata usually live in sand and clay bottomed streams with moderate to rapid currents, and several hours of sun penetration daily. Piles of brush and debris provide basking locations, and tangled roots provide shelter. (Barbour 1989; USFWS 1992).

Graptemys flavimaculata, an aquatic turtle species, has very pronounced sexual dimorphism in body size. The larger adult females measure between 14.9-18.0 cm, whereas the adult males measure between 6.7-11.0 cm. They are small, narrow-headed turtles with a serrated posterior carapacial margin, and laterally compressed spinelike vertebral projections. The spines are a major characteristic of adult males and juveniles but are less noticeable in females. The carapace is olive to light brown in color, with each costal scute marked by a bright yellow or orange blotch. The shape of this blotch varies from a bar to a semicircle, or a complete circle. The marginal plates have orange bars or semicircular patterns that open posteriorly. The hingeless plastron is light cream in color, with a black pattern extending along the seams. These black markings fade with age. The head of yellow-blotched map turtles is small to moderate in size with a nonprojecting snout and has neither hook nor notch on the upper jaw. The skin is olive colored with yellow stripes. Overall, yellow stripes can be found on the head, neck, legs, and tail. A yellow triangle or spot is common behind the eye. Generally, the yellow color dominates throughout the body of Graptemys flavimaculata (Ernst et al.1994; Barbour 1989).

Graptemys flavimaculata, like all the

other map turtles, bask to warm themselves. It is very difficult to approach them. Females may bite when handled, but males and juveniles remain calm, and withdraw into their shells. These aquatic turtles spend most of their time in the water (Barbour 1989).

Graptemys flavimaculata eat insect larvae and mollusks, and it has been speculated that there may be a sexual difference in feeding preference in this species as in other map turtles (Ernst et al. 1994; George 1991).

N/A

These turtles have been collected commericially, and have been listed for retail sale at $65 each. However, enforcement of laws protecting these animals has likely curtailed this activity (USFWS 1992).

Graptemys flavimaculata is endangered. Although apparently not affected directly by pollution, populations may decline as pollutants adversely affect their food supply of insects and mollusks. Declining populations are attributed to channel modification for flood control and navigation purposes, which destroys basking and nesting areas, and increases siltation and turbidity of rivers, causing disruption in the food supply (USFWS 1992). Populations may also be threatened by the habit of local sportsmen of using basking turtles for target practice (McCoy and Vogt 1980, cited in Ernst et al. 1994). An estimated cost for the recovery of this species over a fifteen year period is $845,000 (Champie 1998).

Graptemys flavimaculata are known commonly as yellow-blotched map turtles or the yellow sawback turtles.