The Amphibians and Reptiles of Sinaloa, Mexico - Smithsonian ...

106 UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLS., MUS. NAT. HIST.
This turtle inhabits roadside ponds, tanks, and wells in the lowlands
of southern Sinaloa. They were seen sunning on the banks or
on floating debris in both the wet and dry seasons. Field observations
indicate that ornata is more terrestrial than hiltoni. Specimens
have been collected on the road at night near Escuinapa, and encountered
wandering overland in early spring near Teacapan. Two
females contained well developed ova on April 26; nesting activities
were observed on May 18 near Teacapan (Scott, 1962:19).
Distribution in Sinaloa.—Coastal drainage systems of southern
Sinaloa below 200 meters. See Fig. 36.
Specimens examined.—1.5 km. SE Caraino Real ( * KU 63610); 1 km. S
Concepcion ('KU 63611); 7.3 km. SW Matatan, 155 m. (°KU 78979);
Rancho Huanacastle (LACM 6551); 1 mi. N Teacapan (LACM 6552).
Literature records.—Mazatlan; Presidio (Boulenger, 1889:81).
Additional records.—2 mi. N Escuinapa (FAS 15911); 5 mi. N Mazatlan
(SM 10578-82); ca. 5.5 mi. SW Villa Union (UMMZ 113090).
Rhinoclemys pulcherrima pulcherrima (Cray)
Emys pulcherrima Gray, Cat. Shield Reptiles Brit. Mus., Pt I Testudinata,
p. 25, Table 25, Fig. 1, December 1, 1855 (based on a specimen from
Mexico).
Geoemyda pulcherrima pulcherrima: Wettstem, Sitzb. Akad. Wiss. Wien,
maJh-nat Kl., Abth. 1,143:18, 1934.
Rhinoclemys pulcherrima [pulcherrima]: McDowell, Proc. Zool. Sec. London,
143:267, September 1964.
Remarks,—Two individuals (KU 75656, 43617) have the following
measurements: carapace 101.9 X 85.0, 94.5 X 83.3; plastron
92.3 X 56.6, 87.3X51.2 (hind lobe); depth 42.8, 41.9; length
anterior lobe of plastron 20.0, 18.9; length posterior lobe 26.6, 26.9;
length bridge 45.1, 40.7. In both specimens the lateral borders of
the carapace are strongly bowed, a distinct median keel is present
dorsally, the posterior edge of the plastron is deeply notched, the
gular is triangular with its anterior corners protruding beyond the
plastron edge, there are three light lines anterior to the eye, and
the plastron is yellow laterally with a brown stripe occupying the
median half. Other characters agree with Gray (1855:25) and
Gtinther (1885-1902:6-7).
Although Rhinoclemys pulcherrima apparently is abundant to the
north and south of Sinaloa (Bogert and Oliver, 1945:396) only a
few specimens have been collected in the state. Nothing is known
concerning the specific habitat of this species. Two turtles (KU
43617; CSCLB 2000) were found crossing a road in July; a third
(KU 75656) was obtained from natives in the same month.