The duality of the red-eared slider: charismatic pet and invasive species

Authors

  • Ernesto Becerra Red de Diversidad Biológica del Occidente Mexicano, Instituto de Ecología, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México
  • Yessica Rico Mancebo Red de Diversidad Biológica del Occidente Mexicano, Instituto de Ecología, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1357-5087
  • Areli Gutiérrez Martínez Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, México https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2982-500X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22201/ceide.16076079e.2025.26.1.9

Keywords:

reptiles, pets, alien species, aquatic habitats

Abstract

Turtles are charismatic organisms and are very popular as pets. The most popular species worldwide is the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), which is considered among the 100 most invasive species worldwide. The lack of information has led to their release into natural habitats, becoming invasive alien species. The presence of the red-eared slider in México is alarming since it is unknown if there are already established viable populations in natural freshwater habitats. Because Mexico has a high diversity of turtles, it is important to evaluate the current situation of this invasive alien species and its influence on the diversity of turtles in the country.

Author Biographies

Ernesto Becerra, Red de Diversidad Biológica del Occidente Mexicano, Instituto de Ecología, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México

Estudiante de doctorado del Instituto de Ecología A.C. Trabaja en el área de la ecología molecular, particularmente en entender cómo influyen los factores ambientales y de paisaje en la genética de las especies de agua dulce; además del estudio y conservación de tortugas dulceacuícolas.

Yessica Rico Mancebo, Red de Diversidad Biológica del Occidente Mexicano, Instituto de Ecología, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México

Es doctora egresada de la Universidad de Toronto, es investigadora titular del Instituto de Ecología A.C. Es genetista de la conservación interesada en comprender cómo los cambios en el paisaje debido a las actividades humanas afectan la dispersión de especies, el flujo de genes y la adaptación local, en las poblaciones vulnerables de plantas y animales.

Areli Gutiérrez Martínez, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, México

Estudiante en el Laboratorio de Herpetología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (ujed), México. Bióloga egresada y estudiante de la Maestría en Ciencias en Biodiversidad y Ecología de la Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas-ujed. Su trabajo de investigación ha estado enfocado en el estudio de la composición proteica y la variación a nivel molecular y bioquímico de los venenos de serpientes de cascabel mexicanas.

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Published

2025-01-14