Emys ornata Gray, Synopsis reptilium, p. 30, 1831.—Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México.
Pseudemys scripta ornata, Carr, Herpetologica, 1:135, December 30, 1938.
The systematics and distribution of Pseudemys scripta in México and Central America are poorly understood. Smith and Taylor (1950b:32) recorded this turtle from the Pacific lowlands of Sinaloa, Jalisco, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. This species is represented by vicarious populations throughout the Atlantic lowlands of México, northwestern México, over much of the United States, and also in Baja California. Along the Pacific coast of México the species seems to be extremely rare, or, at least, only locally abundant. Since the species has such a wide distribution, and since it occurs on the Pacific lowlands both to the north and to the south of Michoacán, it is reasonable to expect its presence on the coast of Michoacán. Inquiries among the natives living in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin produced only negative evidence about the occurrence of Pseudemys in the Río Tepalcatepec and Río Balsas. I suspect that the best place to search for these turtles on the coast of Michoacán is in the numerous fresh-water lagoons on the coastal plain.
Caiman crocodilus fuscus (Cope)
Perosuchus fuscus Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 20:203, November 9, 1868.—Río Magdalena, Columbia.
Caiman crocodilus fuscus, Mertens, Senckenbergiana, 26:275, December 22, 1943.
Gadow (1930:50) reported that Caiman sclerops (= Caiman crocodilus fuscus) inhabited the "tierra caliente" in Michoacán. Smith and Taylor (1950b:212) accepted Gadow's record for the State, although otherwise the species is unknown north of Oaxaca. Peters (1954:10) refuted Gadow's record on the basis that Gadow's collections contained no specimens of Caiman. The local name "caiman" refers to both Crocodylus and to Caiman, for, in general, the natives do not distinguish between the two. "Caimanes" are reported from along the coast of Michoacán, where the name presumably refers to Crocodylus acutus acutus, and in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin (Gadow, 1930:50; Webber, 1946:267). I have seen no specimens of either Crocodylus or Caiman from the Balsas Basin. If crocodilians do occur in the basin, they probably are Crocodylus acutus acutus. There is no basis, whatsoever, for including Michoacán in the range of Caiman crocodilus fuscus.
Bipes canaliculatus Bonnaterre
Bipes canaliculatus Bonnaterre, Encyclopédie méthodique, Erpétologie, p. 68, 1789.—México. Type locality restricted to Mexcala, Guerrero, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:39).
Dugès (1896:480) reported this species from Morelia, Michoacán. Smith and Taylor (1950b:39), who recorded the species from three localities in the Balsas Basin in Guerrero, rejected Dugès' record. I, too, am unwilling to accept Dugès' record. Nevertheless, the species probably occurs throughout much of the Balsas Basin. This idea is strengthened by comments made by Storm (1939:342): "The last hard drop, that afternoon, was down the great Cerro de los Cajones [southwest of Tacámbaro], and here in the upper forest we came upon... a lizard with front legs and none behind ... the animal with hands and no feet that señor Smith [Hobart M. Smith] was seeking!... They're named Bipes caniculatus (sic.)."