Spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 1

COSEWIC Assessment Summary

Assessment Summary – May 2002

Common name : Spiny softshell turtle

Scientific name : Apalone spinifera

Status : Threatened

Reason for designation : Substantial habitat loss in the past has restricted the distribution of this species to a small part of its former range. Habitat degradation through development and recreation may be blocking access to nesting, hibernation, feeding and basking sites. Other potential threats include the partial or complete isolation of segments of the population by dams and other structures, the reduction of juvenile recruitment by high predation rates on nests and high mortality rates due to collisions with motor boats, trapping and incidental mortality from fisheries.

Occurrence : Ontario, Quebec

Status history : Designated Threatened in April 1991. Status re-examined and confirmed in May 2002. Last assessment based on an update status report.

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