Sonoyta Mud Turtle
Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale
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- K. s. longifemorale – Pima Co, AZ – Stock photo
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- K. s. longifemorale – Pima Co, AZ – Stock photo
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Kinosternon s. longifemorale occurs only in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Pima County Arizona in one small isolated reservoir named Quitobaquito Springs.
LEGAL STATUS: Kinosternon s. longifemorale is listed as Endangered by the U.S.Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale (Iverson – 1981)
Genus: Kinosternon, Greek – kineo = move + sternon = chest, breast — ref. their ability to move lower shell
Species: sonoriense , Belonging to Sonora Province, Mexico – type locality, “Tucson in Sonora”
Subspecies: longifemorale, Latin – longi = long + femuralis = of the femoral scute — ref. long interfemoral seam
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962