Range extension of Kinosternon leucostomum leucostomum (Duméril & Bribon in Duméril & Duméril, 1851) (Kinosternidae) in the Central Depression of Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

Here, we use records between 1998 and 2024 to document the occurrence of a native population of the turtle Kinosternon leucostomum leucostomum (Duméril & Bribon in Duméril & Duméril, 1851) in the Central Depression of Chiapas, Mexico. Morphological measurements are provided to characterize variation among individuals. We report 22 individuals, which were captured from Laguna Bélgica, captured in October and November 1998, and six individuals photographed by rangers in 2024. This is the first record of the species in the region, which represent a higher altitude locality compared with previously documented for wild populations of this turtle in Mexico.

Keywords

• Laguna Bélgica
• new record
• Ocozocoautla de Espino