Kingdom Animalia Order Testudines Scientific name Clemmys Rank Genus | Phylum Chordata Family Emydidae Higher classification Emydidae | |
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Similar Turtle, Glyptemys, Reptile, Emydidae, Spotted turtle | ||
Spotted turtle clemmys guttata
Clemmys is a genus of turtle, consisting of one North American species, the spotted turtle (C. guttata).
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"Clemmys guangxiensis" is a composite taxon described from specimens of Mauremys mutica and the natural hybrid "Mauremys" × iversoni.
Until recently, the genus Clemmys consisted of four species (bog turtle, spotted turtle, western pond turtle, and the wood turtle). Recent genetic analyses have revealed that the spotted turtle is distinct from the other three species. The bog turtle and the wood turtle were moved to the genus Glyptemys, while the western pond turtle has been renamed Actinemys. This makes the spotted turtle the sole member of the genus Clemmys
The spotted turtle is declining throughout eastern Northern America due to habitat loss and poaching. From this study, most specifically on the Southeastern population, females had greater shell heights, heavier body masses, and longer plastrons than males.