INTROnUCTION 



The II linoi s mud turtle, Kinosternon flavescens spooneri , is a smal 1 , 

 dark brown turtle (adults approximately 7.5-13 cm carapace length) confined 

 to a few scattered localities in the North American Midwest. Cooper (1975) 

 was apparently the first to publish concerns about the continued survival 

 of the Illinois mud turtle, although James Christiansen, in a letter to the 

 then Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, voiced concern for survival 

 of this subspecies in Iowa as early as 1971. Others reached similar con- 

 clusions: Moll and Brown (1976) in Illinois, Cooper (1977) in Iowa and 

 Missouri, and Murphy and Corn (1977) in Iowa. In early 1977, Dr. Lauren 

 Brown (Illinois State University) contacted the Office of Endangered 

 Species of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and questioned if the turtle 

 might qualify for the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and 

 Plants. At that time, I was preparing lists of amphibians and reptiles 

 which might be candidates for federal protection but for which little 

 supporting data were on file. At Dr. Brown's suggestion, the Illinois 

 mud turtle was placed on a Notice of Review of various turtles (Dodd, 

 1977). At the same time. Dr. Brown was requested to prepare a status 

 report on the species. This report (Brown and Moll, 1978) summarized 

 available information used to propose the Illinois mud turtle as an endan- 

 gered species under provisions of the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, 

 as amended (Dodd, 1978). This paper summarizes the natural history, con- 

 servation activities, proposed federal listing, and controversy surrounding 

 the proposed listing. Information on taxonomic status, population estimates, 

 distribution, and threats have been summarized elsewhere (Dodd, ms.). The 

 opinions expressed are those of the author and not of the U.S. Fish and 

 Wildlife Service or Smithsonian Institution. 



NATURAL HISTORY 



The following is a brief summary of the natural history and ecology of 

 the Illinois mud turtle. Detailed accounts are in Cooper (1975), Springer 

 and Gallaway (1979, 1980) and Kangas et al . (1980). 



After reviewing the biological and physical characteristics of known 

 habitats. Brown and Moll (1978) concluded that the Illinois mud turtle 

 required five prerequisites for viable populations: 1) a sand substrate, 

 2) a sand prairie-scrub oak vegetation association of which bunch grasses, 

 prickly pear cactus, blackjack oak, and black oak were the most important 

 vegetational components, 3) a relatively flat topography, with low sand 

 dunes desirable, 4) a lentic water source, that is, marsh, semi -permanent 

 pond, or slough, and 5) the absence of human related modifications. 

 Cooper (1975) stated that shallow permanent turbid ponds with organic 

 bottoms were necessary; such ponds could serve as feeding areas. 



In Iowa, Illinois mud turtles emerge from hibernation from late 

 April to early May. They initially may be somewhat terrestrial, but by 

 mid-May through mid-July, they are primarily aquatic. As summer tempera- 

 tures increase and ephemeral ponds begin drying, the turtles again leave 



