Pallid Spiny Softshell Turtle
Apalone spinifera pallida
-
- A. s. pallida – Dallas Co, TX – iNaturalist Kala Murphy King
-
- A. s. pallida – Harris Co, TX – photo by Matt Hollanders
-
- A. s. pallida – Tarrant Co, TX – iNaturalist Sam Moore
-
- Map by Steve Bledsoe, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Apalone s. pallida occurs in eastern Texas.
LEGAL STATUS: No Listings
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Apalone spinifera pallida (Webb – 1962)
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: pallida, Latin – pallidus = pale — ref. to juvenile pattern
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962