Test Article 3: It’s a trap!

Abstract

Many invertebrate taxa have been reported attached to the shells of turtles. Freshwater limpets (Planorbidae: Ancylinae) have a widespread distribution in North America that overlaps with many species of freshwater turtles. We have observed 5 cases of Ferrissia californica (Fragile Ancylid) attached to the shells of Glyptemys insculpta (Wood Turtle) in a Pennsylvania stream. Four instances were on live turtles, and 1 case on a deceased individual. We only observed limpets on turtles in the fall season. Herein, we report details of these observations and discuss potential advantages and disadvantages to both turtle and limpet.