Comparative morphology of three populations of mexican mud turtles, Kinosternon leucostomum

Horne, B. D.: Comparative morphology of three populations of mexican mud turtles, Kinosternon leucostomum

Three populations of the white lipped mud turtle Kinosternon luecostomum in southern Veracruz, Mexico were invesitgated for differences in growth rates, shell and head morphology. Turtles that were inhabiting a large temporary body of water were considerably different in morphology and growth rates when compared to two populations found in permanent water bodies. It is not known if the resulting differences are the results of an differential physiological requirements or from differing levels human induced mortality. Natural history differences among the populations will also be discussed.

the Society for
Integrative &
Comparative
Biology