Graptemys nigrinoda Cagle 1954 – Black-Knobbed Map Turtle, Black-Knobbed Sawback

Abstract

The black-knobbed map turtle, Graptemys nigrinoda (Family Emydidae), is a medium-sized aquatic turtle of the southeastern United States. It is limited in its range to the Mobile Bay drainages of Alabama and Mississippi. The turtle prefers large to medium-sized river systems. Little information is available on the habits or life history of this species. The black-knobbed map turtle is listed as Endangered by the state of Mississippi and a Protected Nongame Species by the state of Alabama. The current IUNC Red List Status of G. nigrinoda is Near Threatened, but a revised status of Least Concern is recommended in light of recent surveys in which G. nigrinoda was the most commonly observed and collected species of emydid within its range.