Natural History of the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata AgassizLegler, John M.
Science
Natural History of the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata Agassiz
Legler, John M.
Ornate box turtle
FIG. 1. Right abdominal lamina (à 2½) of a four-year-old
juvenal male showing method of measuring growth-rings. The
last growth-ring (4) was formed at the end of the 1954 growing
season. The first growth-ring (H) marks the end of the season
of hatching (1950). The umbilical scar (U) is faintly visible.
The growth-zone for 1955 (specimen captured June 23) is just
beginning to show in interlaminal seam.
FIG. 2.
_Left_--Right abdominal lamina (Ã 2) of subadult female, eight
years old. The last growth-zone was formed in 1954. Note
the relatively small growth increments in 1952 and 1953.
The growth-zone for 1955 (date of capture, May 8) is not
yet visible. This specimen grew more in the season of
hatching (1946) than the specimen shown above in Fig. 1.
_Right_--Interpectoral seam (Ã 3) of adult male showing
slowness of growth in later life. The widest growth-zone
seen here was formed in the tenth year and is followed by
four zones too narrow to measure accurately. It is uncertain
whether this specimen was still growing in the year it was
captured (1923).
[Illustration: PLATE 23]
Ontogenetic change in color and markings of carapace. Radial
markings begin to develop at the onset of epidermal growth.
Markings are sharply defined in juveniles and young adults but
may be obscured in later life by the encroachment of dark
ground color or by wear on the shell.
Figures are as follows:
_Upper left_--Hatchling (à 1½);
_Upper right_--Juvenile (Ã 1), one year old;
_Lower left_--Juvenile (Ã 1), one year old;
_Lower left_--Female (Ã 7/16) showing typical adult markings;
_Lower right_--Adult male (à ½showing blotched pattern
resulting from wear on shell.
[Illustration: PLATE 24]
Ontogenetic change in color and markings of plastron. Dark
markings on plastra of hatchlings are unbroken. Dark radiations
appear when epidermal growth begins.
Figures are as follows:
_Upper left_--Hatchling (à 1½);
_Upper right_--Juvenile (Ã 1);
_Lower left_--Female (Ã 7/16) showing typical adult markings;
_Lower right_--Adult male (à ½) showing the effect of wear
on markings. Plastra of old individuals are sometimes solid
yellow. Note the break in the plastron that has healed and
filled with ligamentous tissue.
[Illustration: PLATE 25]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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