Growth, Sexual Maturity, and Reproduction of a Female Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) Afflicted with Kyphosis

Abstract Kyphosis, a congenital humpback condition of the spinal column, has been reported across a broad range of chelonian taxa. These reports are often of single observations and lack background information about the history of the animal(s) involved. A kyphotic female midland painted turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) reported herein is a member of a long-term mark–recapture study in Algonquin Park (Ontario, Canada), providing a unique opportunity to document life-history characters of a kyphotic turtle over 18 yrs and draw comparisons to other members of her cohort and population. Despite her spinal deformity, the somatic growth, body size, age at sexual maturity, and reproduction of the kyphotic female have been similar to those of nonkyphotic females in our long-term study population, suggesting that the condition has not compromised her fitness.