Physiology: The Galápagos green sea turtle is subject to some controversy with some considering it to be a unique subspecies while others claim it to only be a population of green sea turtle. Regardless, these turtles differ from other green sea turtles both in physiology and behaviour. The Galápagos green sea turtle is smaller than other green sea turtles both in regards to shell length as well as the length of their limbs. The shape of their shell is also more domed and curved towards the back flippers while the colour tends to be darker. Males of this population are described as having longer tail than their open ocean counterparts. Being a small, genetically isolated population, mutations are more likely to occur, likely the reason for the differing physiology amongst sea turtle populations. Some mutations however do not prove advantageous, one of which is the "yellow turtle", locally known as tortuga amarilla, which is often described as having a yellow carapace and a orange-yellow plastron. Although known to occur, this hypo-melanistic mutation is rare and always infertile.
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Sources:
Green, Derek. "Galapagos Sea Turtle." Aqua Docs, Noticias de Galapagos, 1983, aquadocs.org/bitstream/handle/1834/26600/NG_38_1983_Green_Galapagos_sea_turtles.pdf?sequence=1. Accessed 3 Sept. 2022. Karl, Stephen A., and Brian W. Bowen. "Evolutionary Significant Units Versus Geopolotical Taxonomy: Molecular Systematics of an Endangered Sea Turtle (Genus Chelonia)." Society for Conservation Biology, 24 Dec. 2001, conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1523-1739.1999.97352.x. Accessed 3 Sept. 2022. Pritchard, Peter C. "Status of the Black Turtle." Society for Conservation Biology, 24 Dec. 2001, conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1523-1739.1999.98432.x. Accessed 3 Sept. 2022. |