Genetic Question about Alligator Snappers...

[cdmay]

I have a question for my fellow turtle experts: The recent literature regarding alligator snapping turtles states that the populations from the furthest east in Florida and southern Georgia are very different genetically from the other populations. However, despite the genetic gap, the animals are otherwise identical.
My question is this...has there been anything written recently that demonstrates any visual differences? In other words, can a person who is knowledgeable see a difference between an alligator snapper from Louisiana and one from the Santa Fe River in Florida?

 

[Len B]

What you are telling us is new to me,(so I wouldn't know of any new literature) is there someplace where I can read about this? But to answer your question, I don't think so. I have never seen two that looked exactly alike. Len -----------I am no expert, not by a long shot.

 

[shmily1605]

I know the ones I have come across here in MS look like the ones on the internet so I have no clue. I never knew that was a possibility.

 

[egyptiandan]

This might help Carl http://joeroman.com/echelle_alligator_snapper.pdf

Danny

 

[cdmay]

This might help Carl http://joeroman.com/echelle_alligator_snapper.pdf

Danny

Thanks Danny. I have one of Joe Roman's other works, "Population Structure and Cryptic Evolutionary units in the Alligator Snapping Turtle" but that one doesn't indicate any visual differences.
I have been informed though that there is some stuff in the works that will change this...

---

What you are telling us is new to me,(so I wouldn't know of any new literature) is there someplace where I can read about this? But to answer your question, I don't think so. I have never seen two that looked exactly alike. Len -----------I am no expert, not by a long shot.

Len, you can google Joe Roman, Paul Moler and then alligator snapper and you should be able to find some of their work.
There is one paper by Moler that you can get the full PDF of online...'Alligator snapping turtle distribution and relative abundance. Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, Final Report 7544' It is fairly interesting reading.
The other easily obtainable one is 'Population Structure and Cryptic Evolutionary Units in the Alligator Snapping Turtle' that I mentioned above.
Hope these help.