Fossil Turtles of the Genus Terrapene in Florida

Abstract

Recent paleontological work in the Pleistocene of Florida has made available a larger series of fossil box turtles, Terrapene, than has been studied previously. A large number of modern specimens were examined to determine the extent of variation existing in various populations and to evaluate characters found in the fossils. It is shown that two box turtles are represented in the known Pleistocene localities of the area. There is some evidence of intergradation between them, and the two fossil forms are thus considered subspecies of the Recent form, Terrapene carolina. The smaller Pleistocene form represents the modern T. c. carolina or T. c. bauri or both. The larger fossil form is termed T. c. putnami. Terrapene innoxia and T. formosa are considered synonyms of T. c. carolina or T. c. bauri or both. Terrapene canaliculata and T. antipex are synonyms of T. c. putnami. Terrapene singletoni seems to represent a specimen intermediate between T. c. carolina and T. c. putnami. Certain fossil populations are intermediate between these same two forms and are considered intergrades. A probable history of the genus Terrapene in southeastern United States is presented. The Pleistocene localities of Florida are tentatively correlated on the basis of the box turtles now available from them.