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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: Inagua Slider

Synonyms and Other Names: Trachemys stejnergeri malonei

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Gray, brown, olive or black aquatic turtle. The head is gray to olive with cream to yellow stripes and a reddish-brown supratemporal strip. Carapace has yellow streaks in juveniles, but darkens and loses streaks with age; it is serrated posteriorly and exhibits a medial-dorsal keel. The yellow plastron sometimes exhibits scutes with black edges and the marginal scutes may posses olive ocelli (Ernst and Barbour, 1989).

Size: 24 cm carapace

Native Range: Great Inagua Island, Bahamas (USFWS, 2003).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: Trachemys stejnegeri is omnivorous in capitivity; it feeds upon items such as snails, shrimp, and green leaves (Schwartz and Henderson, 1991). Its habitat includes freshwater bodies with soft bottoms and aquatic vegetation especially ponds, swamps, streams and rivers. Nesting occurs April to July yielding 3 to 14 white eggs per clutch (Ernst and Barbour, 1989). It is also known to bask on masses of aquatic vegetation or in dead bushes (Schwartz and Henderson, 1991).

Means of Introduction: "Reptile fanciers" released the specimens into the canal (King and Krakauer, 1966).

Status: King and Krakauer (1966) reported that the species had not been detected since its release.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: The Ingua slider is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is thus protected throughout its native range (USFWS, 2003).

The Central Antillean slider (Trachemys stejnegeri) (Schmidt, 1928) includes three subspecies; the Puerto Rican slider (T. s. stejnegeri) (Schmidt, 1928), the Inagua slider (T. s. malonei) (Barbour & Carr, 1938), and the Dominican slider (T. s. vicina) (Barbour & Carr, 1940) (Schwartz and Henderson, 1991; USDA 2003; Seidel, 2002). The species is native to the Inagua Island, Bahamas (T. s. malonei); Dominican Republic (T. s. vicina); Puerto Rico (T. s. stejnegeri); and possibly Culebra Island (T. s. stejnegeri). The species is reportedly introduced to Maria-Galante (T. s. stejnegeri) (Schwartz and Henderson, 1991).

References: (click for full references)

Ernst, C. H., and R. W. Barbour. 1989. Turtles of the World. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. and London. 313 pp.

Hodson, L. A. and J. F. W. Pearson. 1943. Notes on the discovery and biology of two Bahaman fresh-water turtles of the genus Pseudemys. Proceedings of the Florida Academy of Sciences 6(2):17-23.

King, W. and T. Krakauer. 1966. The Exotic Herpetofauna of Southeast Florida. Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Sciences. 29(2):143-154.

Schwartz, A. and R. W. Henderson. 1991. Amphibians and Reptiles of the West Indies. Descriptions, Distributions, and Natural History. University of Florida Press, Gainesville, Florida. 720 pp.

Seidel, M. E. 2002. Taxonomic Observations of Extant Species and Subspecies of Slider Turtles, Genus Trachemys. Journal of Herpetology 36(2):285-292.

USDA. 2003. Integrated Taxonomic Information System: Trachemys stejnegeri (Schmidt, 1928) [online]. Available at URL: http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=551769. Integrated Taxonomic Information System, Washington D.C.

U.S.F.W.S. 2003. Environmental Conservation Online System: Turtle, Inagua Island [online]. Available at URL: http://ecos.fws.gov/servlet/SpeciesProfile?spcode=C04I#status. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ECOS Program, Arlington, Virginia.

Other Resources:
Father Sáchez' Web Site of West Indian Natural History

CalPhotos

Chelonia.org Trachemys photos

US Fish and Wildlife: Endangered Inagua Slider

Records of Amphibians and Reptiles in the Exuma Islands, Bahamas (1993)

Author: McKercher, E.

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.