What does the specific epithet *insculpta* reference regarding the Wood Turtle carapace?
Answer
The rough, heavily sculptured surface texture
The specific epithet *insculpta* is directly linked to the highly textured surface of the Wood Turtle’s upper shell, or carapace. This texture is characterized by distinct concentric growth rings, known as annuli, which are often raised, giving the individual scutes a somewhat pyramidal shape. This sculpted appearance contrasts sharply with the smoother shells of many fully aquatic turtles and is thought to provide defense and resilience suited for traversing rugged terrestrial environments, floodplains, and gravelly stream beds. The roughness is the primary visual clue referenced by this scientific naming convention.
Related Questions
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