Variation in Striped Mud Turtles, Kinosternon baurii (Reptilia, Testudines, Kinosternidae)

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Abstract
Striped mud turtles, K. baurii palmarum, from the Gulf Hammock region of the Florida [USA] mainland exhibit color [head and carapace] patterns characteristic of Lower Florida Keys K. b. baurii. Although biogeographic and geologic evidence suggest former faunal interchange between the 2 areas, multivariate analyses of 23 mensural character ratios indicate very little morphometric similarity between the 2 populations. Characters that vary geographically over the species'' range show clinal trends along a north-south peninsular axis. Analysis of these characters revealed a general clinal tendency for plastral reduction from north to south Florida, a phenomenon noted also in K. subrubrum. The presence of at least 1 other population on the mainland exhibiting pattern characters typical of Lower Keys'' turtles, the great variability in color patterns observed throughout the species'' range and the lack of morphometric distinctiveness of Lower Keys K. baurii do not justify present subspecific designations.

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