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Conservation of Hispaniolan Southern Slider in
Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve

The Antillean Terrapins comprise a group of at least four species of freshwater turtles with a discontinuous distribution
in the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas. The Hispaniolan Southern Slider (Trachemys decorata) is endemic to the south
paleoisland of Hispaniola (south of the Cul de Sac Plain – Neiba Valley). The Central Antillean Slider (Trachemys stej-
negeri) occupies suitable habitat on the north paleoisland. As for other important endemic Antillean groups, such as Todies
(small birds in the genus Todus) and Rock Iguanas (Cyclura spp.), Hispaniola is the only island with two different species
in each of those genera.

The Hispaniolan Southern Slider is a moderately sized freshwater pond turtle. Males can reach 220 mm in carapace length,
whereas larger females can reach 320 mm. The carapace is light brown and the plastron is yellow with scattered dark ocel-
lated ovals. The skin is grayish brown with black-bordered yellow stripes, including the supratemporal stripe or “ears.”
This turtle inhabits brackish and freshwater lakes. Habitat destruction, pollution, and over-harvesting threaten the exis-
tence of this species, which is included as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List.

In the Dominican Republic, the Hispaniolan Southern Slider has a natural distribution that corresponds to a large degree
with that of the critically endangered Ricord’s Iguana (Cyclura ricordii), and the conservation of both species is intrinsi-
cally tied to the conservation of the Jaragua – Bahoruco – Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve. Grupo Jaragua works for the
conservation of these turtles, their natural habitats, and associated biodiversity by implementing and supporting conser-
vation efforts in the Biosphere Reserve.

www.GrupoJaragua.org.do

F O C U S  O N  C O N S E R V A T I O N

Hispaniolan Southern Slider / Hispaniolan Elegant Slider 
(Trachemys decorata)




