Turtles 2 5 



Trachemys scripta - Slider Turtle (Schoepf, 1792) 



Material: SCSM 91.169.1 a nearly complete carapace and plastron, partial right 

 lower jaw, 1 scapulo-acromial process, 1 coracoid, 1 partial vertebra, partial 

 pelvic girdle, 1 fibula. An individual specimen consisting of a partial carapace 

 and plastron (.620). 



Isolated elements; 3 nuchals (.621 -.623); 23 partial costals (.624- 

 .640)(3 USNM)(3 UF); 15 peripherals (.641-.655); 1 suprapygal (.656); 10 neu- 

 rals C657-.666). 



Characters used for identification: This turtle is distinguished from other turtles 

 by characters given by Holman (1985). Additionally, it has a diagnostic carapa- 

 cial ornamentation. 



Remarks: The slider has a nearly continuous distribution from Illinois southward 

 into Texas and New Mexico and thence eastward across northern Florida north 

 along the Atlantic coast into Virginia, with populations in Mexico and Maryland 

 (Conant and Collins 1991). Trachemys scripta can be found in most freshwater 

 habitats, but seems to prefer slow to non-moving water with a soft substrate 

 (Ernst and Barbour 1989). 



Today Trachemys scripta is common around the Ardis site and we have 

 observed more than 10 within 100 m of the excavation site. 



Pseudemys sp.-Cooters (Gray, 1855) 



Material: 1 right 1st peripheral (.667); associated 9- 10th right peripherals (.668); 

 2 peripherals (.669-.670). 



Characters used for identification: These compare most favorably to species in 

 this genus based on the thin, elongated sloping nature of the elements. We were 

 unable to identify any diagnostic characters on these elements that could be used 

 make a species placement. The only genus with which these may be easily con- 

 fused is Trachemys. The fossil elements lack the sculpturing found in Trache- 

 mys and are significantly thinner and more elongated. The fossil peripherals also 

 have a straight distal margin which contrasts with the notched margin in Trache- 

 mys. 



