Morphological Variation in Pseudemys 109 



Table 1. Qualitative characters used for initial identification of Pseudemys 

 species. 



P. rubriventris 



1. Upper jaw with a prominent notch bordered on each side by tooth-like 

 (tomiodont) cusps (Carr 1952, Crenshaw 1955, Ernst and Barbour 1989). 



2. Second pleural scute without C-shaped mark. 



3. Plastron red or faded pink with central dark figure extending along seams 

 (Carr 1952, Crenshaw 1955, Ernst and Barbour 1989). 



4. Carapace of large individuals with numerous lateral rugosities but flat or 

 concave along the vertebrals (Ernst and Barbour 1989, Weaver and Rose 

 1967). 



5. Dark markings on bridge, including inguinal scute. 



6. Posterior (after bridge) inframarginal spots or circles do not overlap 

 intermarginal seams (Ward 1984). 



7. Posterior margin of carapace weakly serrated and marginal notches weak. 



P. concinna 



1. Upper jaw with a very weak notch, not bordered by tooth-like cusps. 



2. Second pleural scute with C-shaped mark (Carr 1952, Crenshaw 1955, Ernst 

 and Barbour 1989). 



3. Plastron yellow or orange with central dark figure extending along seams. 



4. Carapace of large individuals slightly keeled along vertebrals; carapace not 

 finely rugose. 



5. Dark markings on bridge, including inguinal scute. 



6. Posterior inframarginal circles overlap intermarginal seams. 



7. Posterior margin of carapace serrated and marginals prominently notched 

 (Weaver and Rose 1967, Ward 1984). 



P. floridana 



1. Upper jaw entirely smooth, no notch or cusps. 



2. Second pleural scute without C-shaped mark. 



3. Plastron pale yellow without any dark markings. 



4. Carapace of large individuals rounded or flat (not keeled) along vertebrals. 



5. Dark markings usually absent from bridge and inguinal scute (Ward 1984). 



6. Markings usually very faint or absent on posterior inframarginals. 



7. Posterior margin of carapace weakly serrated and marginal notches weak. 



