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Papers by CLAUDIA PATRICIA CEBALLOS FONSECA

Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2004

There are growing concerns among conservationists that commercial trade in many species of wild-c... more There are growing concerns among conservationists that commercial trade in many species of wild-caught turtles may not be sustainable. Little information on the turtle trade and its impact on populations is available at the national level, and there are no analyses of the commercial trade in turtles in Texas. To quantitatively describe the turtle trade in Texas, we surveyed government organizations, pet and meat establishments, reptile expositions, zoos, aquariums, and Texas herpetological societies by mail, phone calls, or visits. We used the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Law Enforcement Management Information System (LEMIS) database to quantify the turtle trade in Texas from 1995-2000. Five turtle species accounted for 99% of collections from the wild in 1999, but at least 69 native and exotic species were available in the pet and meat markets. Nonnative species were exported from Texas, implying that they were either imported from other states and re-exported from Texas or were bred in captivity. Unfortunately, the current national wildlife trade monitoring system does not distinguish between export and re-export, making it difficult to fully understand wildlife trade patterns. Turtle populations in general were susceptible to overexploitation. We recommend that populations of commercially exploited turtles be monitored to build databases required for establishing harvest quotas and size limits. Methods used in this study could be implemented by other states to monitor their turtle trade.

Evolutionary Biology, 2012

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is widespread in nature and may result from selection operating diff... more Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is widespread in nature and may result from selection operating differentially on males and females. Rensch's rule, the increase of SSD with body size in male-biased-SSD species (or decrease in female-biased-SSD species), is documented in invertebrates and vertebrates. In turtles, evidence for Rensch's rule is inconclusive and thus the forces underlying body size evolution remain obscure. Using a phylogenetic approach on 138 turtle species from 9 families, we found that turtles overall and three families follow Rensch's rule, five families display isometry of SSD with body size, while Podocnemididae potentially follows a pattern opposite to Rensch's rule. Furthermore, male size evolves at faster rates than female size. Female-biased-SSD appears ancestral in turtles while male-biased-SSD evolved in every polytypic family at least once. Body size follows an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck evolutionary model in both sexes and SSD types, ruling out drift as a driving process. We explored whether habitat type or sex determination might be general drivers of turtle body size evolution using a phylogenetic context. We found that males are proportionally larger in terrestrial habitats and smaller in more aquatic habitats, while the sex-determining mechanism had no influence on body size evolution. Together, our data indicate that Rensch's rule is not ubiquitous across vertebrates, but rather is prevalent in some lineages and not driven by a single force. Instead, our findings are consistent with the hypotheses that fecundity-selection might operate on females and ecological-selection on males; and that SSD and sex-determining mechanism evolve independently in these long-lived vertebrates.

Este documento es de interes tanto para los investigadores de las diversas instituciones que labo... more Este documento es de interes tanto para los investigadores de las diversas instituciones que laboran en Colombia, como para las autoridades ambientales, incluidos los tomadores de decisiones y la sociedad en general. La construccion de estas estrategias (2015-2020), representa una guia de trabajo u hoja de ruta que busca constituirse en una herramienta para que cualquier persona u organizacion que quiera propender por la conservacion de las tortugas tenga un referente de cuales son las necesidades y prioridades de trabajo en el pais respecto a este grupo. Esperamos que este esfuerzo sea bien recibido por todos los sectores del pais y muy especialmente por las autoridades ambientales regionales y de desarrollo sostenible, y se vea reflejado en mayores inversiones para la conservacion de este valioso recurso.

urante los últimos trescientos años, diferentes clasificaciones naturales han sido propuestas par... more urante los últimos trescientos años, diferentes clasificaciones naturales han sido propuestas para las tortugas. En la primera, presentada en 1766, Linnaeus agrupó las especies hasta entonces conocidas en el género Testudo. Posteriormente, en 1805, Brongniart propuso una clasificación con base en el hábitat por lo cual reconocía tres géneros: Chelonia para las tortugas marinas; Emys para las de agua dulce y Testudo para las terrestres. Nuevas propuestas como las de Cuvier de 1817 y la de Wagler de 1830, aunque aún emplearon el hábitat como criterio jerárquico, se basaron en características anatómicas relacionadas con aquel, como por ejemplo la presencia de membranas interdigitales en las tortugas de río (Gaffney 1984).

Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 2016

Abstract In species with temperature-dependent sex determination, the embryo commits to its sexua... more Abstract In species with temperature-dependent sex determination, the embryo commits to its sexual fate during a time window called the thermosensitive period (TSP). Although substantial research has focused on the effect of the temperature during this canonical TSP, the effect of temperatures experienced before this time (pre-TSP) on the onset and duration of the TSP is less understood. Here, we incubated eggs of the endangered Magdalena River turtle, Podocnemis lewyana, under 3 relatively constant temperatures and 6 shift-twice treatments. Constant treatments included two 100% masculinizing temperatures that fostered a relatively slower and faster embryo development and one 100% feminizing temperature. The shift treatments included a masculinizing temperature and later a feminizing temperature for a period of time at different incubation stages. Sex ratios were determined by a geometric-morphometric sexing approach developed for this species and validated by gonadal histology. This technique is a nonlethal sexing alternative; thus, it contributes to the conservation of this endangered species. The sex ratios obtained under constant temperatures were more feminized than the sex ratio of another population native to a warmer climate. Shift-twice experiments revealed that pre-TSP temperatures affected the duration of the TSP and as such influenced sex determination. Specifically, at 29°C pre-TSP, the TSP lasted 20 d (28% of the incubation period), whereas at 31°C pre-TSP, the TSP was extended for 30 d (52% of the incubation period). An approximation of developmental stages based on the congeneric Podocnemis expansa is provided. Conservation programs should monitor temperatures throughout the entire incubation period; otherwise important effects on sex ratios and other traits may be obscured.

Acta Biológica Colombiana, 2014

The Magdalena River Turtle, Podocnemis lewyana, is an endangered and endemic turtle from Colombia... more The Magdalena River Turtle, Podocnemis lewyana, is an endangered and endemic turtle from Colombia. Among the most important information needed to conserve endangered species is to identify, monitor, and protect the sites used by the species to reproduce and grow. In this study we report, for the first time, the reproductive output and the nesting beaches of P. lewyana in the Claro Cocorná Sur River, a tributary of the Magdalena River drainage. We systematically examined a river transect of 8 km with 14 sandy beaches during two nesting seasons in one year. We recorded a yearly production of 47 clutches, 957 eggs, and two preferred nesting beaches: Alto Bonito with 51 %, and Bélgica with 28.3 % of this reproductive output. AAFUVER, a community-based organization, has led a headstarting program since 2010 to decrease in-situ egg mortality due to predation on nesting beaches. AAFUVER collects and incubates the eggs ex-situ, raises the hatchlings for one to five months and then releases them into the same river. To understand potential effects of such egg manipulation, we monitored and compared in-situ and ex-situ incubation temperatures. We found exsitu temperatures below the pivotal temperature known for P. lewyana and below the temperatures in nesting beaches. Finally, we monitored hatchlings growth under AAFUVER captive conditions, and found that hatchlings duplicated their body mass during the first three months of age. Egg weight was strongly associated to body weight at hatching, however this association is lost by the third month of age. We strongly encourage supporting this community-based conservation program, and the protection of the Claro Cocorná Sur River as an important nesting and growth habitat for the conservation of P. lewyana.

Journal of Herpetology, 2016

BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access t... more BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Acta Biológica Colombiana, 2014

Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research

The Magdalena River Turtle, Podocnemis lewyana, is an endangered and endemic turtle from Colombia... more The Magdalena River Turtle, Podocnemis lewyana, is an endangered and endemic turtle from Colombia. Among the most important information needed to conserve endangered species is to identify, monitor, and protect the sites used by the species to reproduce and grow. In this study we report, for the first time, the reproductive output and the nesting beaches of P. lewyana in the Claro Cocorná Sur River, a tributary of the Magdalena River drainage. We systematically examined a river transect of 8 km with 14 sandy beaches during two nesting seasons in one year. We recorded a yearly production of 47 clutches, 957 eggs, and two preferred nesting beaches: Alto Bonito with 51 %, and Bélgica with 28.3 % of this reproductive output. AAFUVER, a community-based organization, has led a headstarting program since 2010 to decrease in-situ egg mortality due to predation on nesting beaches. AAFUVER collects and incubates the eggs ex-situ, raises the hatchlings for one to five months and then releases them into the same river. To understand potential effects of such egg manipulation, we monitored and compared in-situ and ex-situ incubation temperatures. We found ex-situ temperatures below the pivotal temperature known for P. lewyana and below the temperatures in nesting beaches. Finally, we monitored hatchlings growth under AAFUVER captive conditions, and found that hatchlings duplicated their body mass during the first three months of age. Egg weight was strongly associated to body weight at hatching, however this association is lost by the third month of age. We strongly encourage supporting this community-based conservation program, and the protection of the Claro Cocorná Sur River as an important nesting and growth habitat for the conservation of P. lewyana.

The phylogenetic relationships of the Mesoamerican Slider, Trachemys venusta, that inhabits the A... more The phylogenetic relationships of the Mesoamerican Slider, Trachemys venusta, that inhabits the Atrato River basin of Colombia have been controversial as three different names have been proposed during the last 12 years: T. v. venusta, T. v. uhrigi, and T. ornate venusta. Using a group of sliders that was confiscated by the regional authority we compared the morphology of T. venusta distributed in the Atrato River with the morphology of the subspecies putatively distributed in Colombia. We found that the Colombian Mesoamerican slider has an overall smaller size, different plastral inter-scute seam formula, and different head, carapace and plastron coloration patterns. In addition, we also report the poor health condition of these individuals that have endured this illegal trade. We underscore an urgent need for further studies of individuals indigenous to Colombia to better understand the phylogenetic relationships of T. venusta throughout its distributional range, along with a more effective control of the illegal turtle trade in the Urabá region of Colombia. RESUMEN Las relaciones filogenéticas de la tortuga hicotea mesoamericana, Trachemys venusta, que habita la cuenca del río Atrato en Colombia ha sido controversial dado que tres subespecies diferentes han sido propuestas en los últimos 12 años: T. v. venusta, T. v. uhrigi, y T. ornate venusta. En este estudio se usó un grupo de tortugas hicoteas que fue decomisado por la autoridad ambiental para documentar su morfología y compararla con la reportada para la subespecie supuestamente distribuida en Colombia. Nosotros encontramos que la hicotea Mesoamericana colombiana es más pequeña, tiene una fórmula de las suturas de los escudos plastrales diferentes, y patrones de coloración de la cabeza, caparazón y plastrón diferentes. Adicionalmente, reportamos el pobre estado de salud de estos individuos que han soportado las condiciones de este mercado ilegal. Resaltamos la urgencia de realizar estudios de esta especie que incluyan especímenes nativos de Colombia para comprender mejor las relaciones filogenéticas de T. venusta en todo su rango de distribución, así como el realizar un control más efectivo del tráfico ilegal de tortugas en la región del Urabá colombiano.

—Most existing studies on the White-lipped Mud Turtle, Kinosternon leucostomum, have been based o... more —Most existing studies on the White-lipped Mud Turtle, Kinosternon leucostomum, have been based on northern Central American populations, leaving a lack of information on populations from southern Central America and South America. Herein we studied morphology, diet, and population structure of a population of the southern Kinosternon leucostomum postinguinale inhabiting four creeks in Colombia. Observed habitats used were highly variable, ranging from relatively clean waters to streams used for sewage disposal of wastewater from a human settlement. Body size was smaller than that of other populations of southern K. l. postinguinale and also than that of the northern K. l. leucostomum. Sexual dimorphism was evident, with males heavier, longer, and wider than females. Body size was associated with the habitat of origin, with Barrio Nuevo individuals being the largest. The main components of the diet were plant material, insects, snails, and algae. We did not find evidence of sexual differences in the diet, but we found geographic differences in the body size. The population with the largest individuals, from Barrio Nuevo Creek, consumed more snails while those from Totumo Creek, the population with the smallest individuals, consumed more ants and plant material as compared to the other creeks. Additionally, we found a highly male-biased sex ratio, with 2.5 adult males per female, very few juveniles, and no nests, which suggests a dangerous risk of population decline. We suggest continued monitoring of the demography of this population, emphasizing its reproductive biology. Resumen.—La informacíon existente sobre la Tortuga Tapaculo, Kinosternon leucostomum, ha sido generalmente basada en las poblaciones del norte de Centro América, dejando un desconocimiento sobre las poblaciones del sur de Centro Amé rica y Sur América. En este trabajo nosotros documentamos la morfología, dieta, y estructura de una poblacíon de la subespecie del sur K. l. postinguinale que habita en 4 quebradas en Colombia. Los hábitats observados fueron muy variables, desde quebradas relativamente limpias hasta quebradas que reciben aguas negras de asentamientos humanos. El tamañ o corporal fue menor a lo reportado por otras poblaciones de la misma subespecie e incluso de la subespecie del norte, K. l. leucostomum. El dimorfismo sexual fue evidente, con machos má s pesados, largos, y anchos que las hembras. El tamañ o corporal estuvo asociado al hábitat de origen, siendo las tortugas de Barrio Nuevo las más grandes. La dieta estuvo compuesta de material vegetal, insectos, caracoles, y algas. Nosotros no encontramos diferencias sexuales en la dieta pero si diferencias geográ ficas en el tamañ o. Las tortugas de Barrio Nuevo que fueron las más grandes consumieron más caracoles, mientras que las tortugas más pequeñ as de El Totumo consumieron más plantas y hormigas en comparacíon con los otras quebradas. Adicionalmente, encontramos una proporcíon sexual sesgada hacia los machos, con 2.5 machos por hembra, muy pocos juveniles y ning´un nido, lo que sugiere un riesgo peligroso de disminucíon poblacional. Recomendamos un monitoreo continuo de la demografía de esta poblacíon y sobre su biología reproductiva en particular.

– In species with temperature-dependent sex determination, the embryo commits to its sexual fate ... more – In species with temperature-dependent sex determination, the embryo commits to its sexual fate during a time window called the thermosensitive period (TSP). Although substantial research has focused on the effect of the temperature during this canonical TSP, the effect of temperatures experienced before this time (pre-TSP) on the onset and duration of the TSP is less understood. Here, we incubated eggs of the endangered Magdalena River turtle, Podocnemis lewyana, under 3 relatively constant temperatures and 6 shift-twice treatments. Constant treatments included two 100% masculinizing temperatures that fostered a relatively slower and faster embryo development and one 100% feminizing temperature. The shift treatments included a masculinizing temperature and later a feminizing temperature for a period of time at different incubation stages. Sex ratios were determined by a geometric-morphometric sexing approach developed for this species and validated by gonadal histology. This technique is a nonlethal sexing alternative; thus, it contributes to the conservation of this endangered species. The sex ratios obtained under constant temperatures were more feminized than the sex ratio of another population native to a warmer climate. Shift-twice experiments revealed that pre-TSP temperatures affected the duration of the TSP and as such influenced sex determination. Specifically, at 298C pre-TSP, the TSP lasted 20 d (28% of the incubation period), whereas at 318C pre-TSP, the TSP was extended for 30 d (52% of the incubation period). An approximation of developmental stages based on the congeneric Podocnemis expansa is provided. Conservation programs should monitor temperatures throughout the entire incubation period; otherwise important effects on sex ratios and other traits may be obscured. KEY WORDS. – Colombia; conservation of endangered reptilian species; embryonic developmental rates; temperature-dependent sex determination; geometric–morphometric sexing technique; sex-ratio monitoring RESUMEN. – En especies con determinación sexual termo-dependiente el embrión define su sexo durante una ventana de tiempo llamada período termosensible (PTS). Muchas investigaciones se han enfocado en el efecto de la temperatura durante este PTS canónico, pero el efecto de temperaturas ocurridas en estadíos más tempranos (pre-PTS) sobre el inicio y duración del PTS ha sido poco estudiado. Nosotros incubamos huevos de la Tortuga del Río Magdalena, Podocnemis lewyana, bajo tres temperaturas relativamente constantes y seis tratamientos de cambio térmico doble. Los tratamientos de temperaturas constantes incluyeron dos temperaturas 100% masculinizantes que inducen un desarrollo embrionario lento y rápido respectivamente, y una temperatura 100% feminizante. Los tratamientos de doble cambio incluyeron dichas temperaturas masculinizantes (pre-PTS) y un pulso de temperatura feminizante en diferentes momentos del período de incubación. Las proporciones sexuales fueron calculadas mediante una técnica de morfometría geométrica desarrollada para esta especie y validadas usando histología gonadal. Esta técnica es una alternativa de sexaje no letal que contribuye a la conservación de esta especie amenazada. Las proporciones sexuales obtenidas a temperaturas constantes fueron más feminizadas que las reportadas en otra población que habita en un clima más cálido. En los tratamientos de doble cambio las temperaturas pre-PTS afectaron la duración del PTS, y por tanto la determinación sexual. Específicamente, a 298C pre-PTS el PTS duró 20 días (28% del periodo de incubación), mientras que a 318C pre-PTS, el PTS se extendió a 30 días (52% del período de incubación). Los estadíos embrionarios alcanzados durante la incubación fueron estimados usando como modelo la especie congenérica, Podocnemis expansa. Sugerimos que los programas de conservación monitoreen las temperaturas durante todo el período de incubación para evitar descartar importantes efectos sobre el sexo y otros fenotipos inducidos por las temperaturas tempranas.

Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2004

Evolutionary Biology, 2012

Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 2016

Acta Biológica Colombiana, 2014

Journal of Herpetology, 2016

Acta Biológica Colombiana, 2014

Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research

The Magdalena River Turtle, Podocnemis lewyana, is an endangered and endemic turtle from Colombia... more The Magdalena River Turtle, Podocnemis lewyana, is an endangered and endemic turtle from Colombia. Among the most important information needed to conserve endangered species is to identify, monitor, and protect the sites used by the species to reproduce and grow. In this study we report, for the first time, the reproductive output and the nesting beaches of P. lewyana in the Claro Cocorná Sur River, a tributary of the Magdalena River drainage. We systematically examined a river transect of 8 km with 14 sandy beaches during two nesting seasons in one year. We recorded a yearly production of 47 clutches, 957 eggs, and two preferred nesting beaches: Alto Bonito with 51 %, and Bélgica with 28.3 % of this reproductive output. AAFUVER, a community-based organization, has led a headstarting program since 2010 to decrease in-situ egg mortality due to predation on nesting beaches. AAFUVER collects and incubates the eggs ex-situ, raises the hatchlings for one to five months and then releases them into the same river. To understand potential effects of such egg manipulation, we monitored and compared in-situ and ex-situ incubation temperatures. We found ex-situ temperatures below the pivotal temperature known for P. lewyana and below the temperatures in nesting beaches. Finally, we monitored hatchlings growth under AAFUVER captive conditions, and found that hatchlings duplicated their body mass during the first three months of age. Egg weight was strongly associated to body weight at hatching, however this association is lost by the third month of age. We strongly encourage supporting this community-based conservation program, and the protection of the Claro Cocorná Sur River as an important nesting and growth habitat for the conservation of P. lewyana.