Radiata2010(4)e

Ewald Roddewig Ernst, C.

Ewald Roddewig Ernst, C. H. & J. E. Lovich (2009): Turtles of the United States and Canada. – 2. ed., Baltimore (Johns Hopkins Univ. Press), 827 pp. Ewert, M. A. & C. E. Nelson (1991): Sex Determination in Turtles: Diverse Patterns and Some Possible Adaptive Values. – Copeia, Lawrence, 1991 (1): 50-69. Hertwig, S. (2001): Ökologie, Haltung und Fortpflanzung im Terrarium von Graptemys caglei, G. flavimaculata, G. nigrinoda nigrinoda und G. oculifera. – Salamandra, Rheinbach, 37 (1): 21-48. Iverson, J. B. (1992): A Revised Checklist with Distribution Maps of the Turtles of the World. – Richmond (priv. print.), 363 pp. Kober, I. & U. Geissel (2006): Grundlagen Terrarienbeleuchtung. – Terraria, Münster, 1 (1): 6-16. Kuchling, G. (1999): The Reproductive Biology of the Chelonia. – Berlin & New York (Springer), 223 pp. Lahanas, P. N. (1982): Aspects of the life history of the southern black-knobbed sawback, Graptemys nigrinoda delticola Folkerts and Mount. – Auburn (Master’s Thesis, Auburn Univ.), 293 pp. Müller, M. J. (1996): Handbuch ausgewählter Klimastationen der Erde. – Trier (Univ. Trier, Forschungsstelle Bodenerosion Mertesdorf), 400 pp. Schilde, M. (2004): Asiatische Sumpfschildkröten. Die Familie Geoemydidae in Südostasien, China und Japan. – Münster (Natur und Tier – Verlag), 192 pp. Schulz, S. (2001): Erfahrungsbericht über die Haltung und Zucht der Höckerschildkröten der Gattung Graptemys, im Besonderen von Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica, Graptemys ouachitensis ouachitensis, Graptemys nigrinoda nigrinoda und Graptemys barbouri. – Radiata, Haan, 10 (2): 3-14. Stettner, A. (2005): Haltung und Nachzucht von Graptemys nigrinoda nigrinoda Cagle 1954, der Schwarzknopf-Höckerschildkröte. – Sacalia, Stiefern, 3 (6): 9- 20. Waters, J. C. (1974): The biological significance of the basking habit in the blackknobbed sawback, Graptemys nigrinoda Cagle. – Auburn (Master’s Thesis, Auburn Univ.). Author & Photographs Ewald Roddewig Birkenweg 11 85406 Zolling Germany E-Mail: er-picta@freenet.de 18 RADIATA 19 (4), 2010

Sascha Pawlowski & Christine Krämer On the Comfort Behaviour of Diamondback Terrapins, Malaclemys terrapin (Schoepff, 1793) Summary Diamondback Terrapins are thought of as difficult to keep in human care and therefore rarely seen in captive collections. This is in spite of the fact that salty or brackish water is not necessarily a deciding factor in the successful husbandry of these animals. If major environmental parameters, such as basking sites, sandy patches, and possibly even a soft current in the aquatic section of the set-up to keep the animals in good physical condition are provided, Malaclemys terrapin proves to be a species that can be successfully kept and propagated. Introduction The Diamondback Terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin (Schoepff, 1793), of North America is a peculiar aquatic turtle with regard to several aspects. For one, it is the only species that is exclusive to near-coastal bodies of brackish water and as such has adapted to the local conditions of salinity and temperatures (Roosenburg et al. 1999, Butler et al. 2006). Its distribution range extends along the east coast of the USA from Cape Cod (Massachusetts) in the north to Cyprus Hill (Texas) in the south. The species is presently subdivided into seven subspecies, which are, from north to south: Malaclemys terrapin terrapin (Schoepff, 1793), M. t. centrata (Latreille, 1801), M. t. tequesta Schwartz, 1955, M. t. rhizophorarum Fowler, 1906, M. t. macrospilota Hay, 1904, M. t. pileata (Wied, 1865), and M. t. littoralis Hay, 1904 (see Iverson 1992, Rogner 1995, Vetter 2004, Brennessel 2006). Their husbandry requirements as far as temperature regimes and hibernation are concerned vary with the different climatic zones occupied in nature, even though field observations and information on hibernating behaviour are altogether scant (Roosenburg et al. 1999, Avissar 2006). In general it may be supposed that as a result of relatively high Fig. 1. Adult Malaclemys terrapin in the outdoor enclosure. RADIATA 19 (4), 2010 19