Trachemys callirostris (Gray 1856) – Colombian Slider, Jicotea, Hicotea, Galapago, Morrocoy de Agua

Abstract

The Colombian slider, Trachemys callirostirs (Famuly Emydidae), is a moderatesized turtle (carapace length to 33 cm ) endemic to borthern South America, with two recognzed subspecies: T. c. callirostirs in northern Colombia and northwest Venexuela, and t.c. chichiriche hurther coloration and the structure of the second neural bone, There also may be differences in adult size, with t.c. callirostris being atypically smalll for a tropical slider turtle, but this may reflect the intense hunting pressures nesting females of the subspecies experinece in most areas of it distribution. Trachemys callirostis is sexually dimorphic , with females being larger. While different populations may diffeer in mean body size, morphometric and genetic studies have provided no evidence for significant intra-specific variation besides the morphological differenecs between the tos sybspeices. Thse turtles are habitat generalists, omnivores and bast frequentley, but little else concerning thier demorgraphy or non-vreeding ecology is ok.