John M. Legler
A New Subspecies of Slider Turtle (Pseudemys scripta) from Coahuila, México
"A New Subspecies of Slider Turtle (Pseudemys scripta) from Coahuila, México" by John M. Legler is a scientific publication published in the late 20th century, specifically in 1960. This work details the identification and characteristics of a newly categorized subspecies of slider turtle found in Cuatro Ciénegas, Coahuila, Mexico. The focus of the book is on the biological and morphological distinctions of this turtle subspecies compared to others in the region. In this publication, Legler presents his findings based on field research conducted in 1958, where he and his colleagues collected specimens of what they identified as a previously unrecognized subspecies, named "Pseudemys scripta taylori". The book provides a thorough description of the holotype and paratypes, detailing the physical characteristics such as shell morphology, coloration, and patterns found on the plastron. It also discusses the habitat and natural history of the "taylori" subspecies, indicating its ecological preferences and geographic range. Furthermore, Legler explores the evolutionary relationships and phylogenetic background of the turtle, suggesting that "taylori" may be a relict population that illustrates the historical isolation of the Cuatro Ciénegas basin in relation to other populations of "Pseudemys scripta".