Western Chicken Turtle
Deirochelys reticularia miaria
-
- D. r. miaria – Stock photo
-
- Map by Steve Bledsoe, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Deirochelys r. miaria occurs in eastern Texas.
LEGAL STATUS: Presently, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) is considering Deirochelys r. miaria for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). A final decision is scheduled for 2024.
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Deirochelys reticularia miaria (Schwartz – 1956)
Genus: Deirochelys, Greek – deire = neck + emys = a freshwater tortoise – pos. ref. allusion to extra long neck
Species: reticularia, Latin – reticulum = a net + aria = like or connected with – ref. to carapace pattern
Subspecies: miaria, Greek = defiled, stained – ref. to plastral pattern
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962