Texas Spiny Softshell Turtle
Apalone spinifera emoryi
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- A. s. emoryi – Maricopa Co, AZ – photo by Martin J. Feldner
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- A. s. emoryi – Reeves Co, TX – photo by Carl J. Franklin
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- Map by Steve Bledsoe, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Apalone s. emoryi occurs naturally along the Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers in Texas and New Mexico. It has been introduced into habitats in southern Arizona and in the Colorado River basin in Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah.
LEGAL STATUS: No Listings
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Apalone spinifera emoryi (Agassiz – 1857)
Genus: Apalone, Greek – apalos = soft, tender – ref. soft shell
Species: spinifera, Latin – spina = thorn or spine + ifera = bearing – ref. spine-like tubercules along front edge of upper shell
Subspecies: emoryi, honors William H. Emory
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962