Revealing a cryptic life-history stage: differences in habitat selection and survivorship between hatchlings of two turtle species at risk (Glyptemys insculpta and Emydoidea blandingii)

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 408 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Paterson ◽  
B. D. Steinberg ◽  
J. D. Litzgus
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Life History Stage ◽  
Species At Risk ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Emydoidea Blandingii ◽  
Glyptemys Insculpta ◽  
Risk Of Predation

Context Turtles are one of the most imperilled taxonomic groups worldwide and information about population ecology is essential to species recovery. Although the spatial ecology and demography of adults of several turtle species have been well studied, little is known about early life stages. The small size, soft shell, and limited mobility of hatchling turtles may cause differences in survivorship and habitat selection compared with adults. Aims We tested the hypothesis that hatchling turtles select habitat as they move away from nests, so as to reduce the risk of predation and desiccation. Methods We examined survivorship, behaviour and habitat selection at two spatial scales in hatchling Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) and wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in 2009 and 2010, using radio-telemetry in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. In addition, temperatures of sites used by hatchlings during winter were compared with those at haphazard stations in various habitats. Key results The mortality rate was high, with 42% of E. blandingii and 11% of G. insculpta hatchlings surviving to winter; most mortality was caused by predation. Most behavioural observations for both species were of individuals hiding under cover. Both species showed evidence of macrohabitat and microhabitat selection as they dispersed from nests towards overwintering sites, and important variables in the models differed between species. Likewise, the adult stages of these two species differ in their macrohabitat specialisation. There was also evidence that hatchlings chose overwintering sites on the basis of temperature. Conclusions Despite significant differences in survivorship between hatchlings and adults, resource selection was similar between these two demographic stages, and conservation plans based on adult habitat use should simultaneously protect hatchlings. Implications Understanding habitat selection by juveniles is important for testing hypotheses about ontogenetic shifts in resource selection and for protecting habitat for species at risk.

Environmental DNA bioassays corroborate field data for detection of overwintering species at risk Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii)

Genome ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Scott A. Tarof ◽  
Steven Crookes ◽  
Kelsey Moxley ◽  
Jeff Hathaway ◽  
Graham Cameron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Species At Risk ◽  
Emydoidea Blandingii ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is gaining traction in conservation ecology as a powerful tool for detecting species at risk. We developed a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay to detect a DNA amplicon fragment of the mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide locus of the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) for detecting overwintering individuals. Seventy-eight water samples were collected from 17 wetland sites in Ontario, Canada. We used traditional field data to identify a priori positive and negative control sites. Fifty percent of positive control sites amplified. Detection was related to the number of individuals estimated from field observations in at least one region surveyed. Positive control sites had lower total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity in relation to negative control sites. Shedding rates were within the same order of magnitude for brumating and active turtles. We recommend collecting additional samples at a larger number of locations to maximize detection. Recommended sampling design changes may overshadow the additional effects of water chemistry and low eDNA shedding rates. eDNA offers tremendous potential to practitioners conducting species at risk assessments in environmental consulting by providing a faster, more efficient method of detection compared with traditional surveys.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of abundance–occupancy relationships for species at risk at both broad taxonomic and spatial scales

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (7) ◽  
pp. 515-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy E. Roney ◽  
Anna Kuparinen ◽  
Jeffrey A. Hutchings
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Freshwater Fishes ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Species At Risk ◽  
Large Spatial Scale ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

The abundance–occupancy relationship is one of the most well-examined relationships in ecology. At the species level, a positive association has been widely documented. However, until recently, research on the nature of this relationship at broad taxonomic and spatial scales has been limited. Here, we perform a comparative analysis of 12 taxonomic groups across a large spatial scale (Canada), using data on Canadian species at risk: amphibians, arthropods, birds, freshwater fishes, lichens, marine fishes, marine mammals, molluscs, mosses, reptiles, terrestrial mammals, and vascular plants. We find a significantly positive relationship in all taxonomic groups with the exception of freshwater fishes (negative association) and lichens (no association). In general, our work underscores the strength and breadth of this apparently fundamental relationship and provides insight into novel applications for large-scale population dynamics. Further development of species-independent abundance–occupancy relationships, or those of a similar nature, might well prove instrumental in serving as starting points for developing species-independent reference points and recovery strategies.

scholarly journals Road Mortality of Reptiles and Other Wildlife at the Ojibway Prairie Complex and Greater Park Ecosystem in Southern Ontario

2016 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan D. Choquette ◽  
Lindsey Valliant
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Tallgrass Prairie ◽  
Species At Risk ◽  
Road Mortality ◽  
Emydoidea Blandingii ◽  
Reptile Species ◽  
Sternotherus Odoratus ◽  
Sistrurus Catenatus Catenatus ◽  
Graptemys Geographica ◽  
Mortality Survey

The Ojibway Prairie Complex in Windsor contains the largest protected tallgrass prairie ecosystem in Ontario and supports numerous species at risk. Despite its ecological significance, it is crossed by multiple high-traffic roads. Road mortality is a major threat to endangered species in Canada, particularly reptiles. The main goal of this study was to describe the nature and extent of vertebrate road mortality, with a focus on reptiles, on roads bisecting the Ojibway Prairie Complex, and the Greater Park Ecosystem, in Windsor and Lasalle, Ontario. A systematic road mortality survey was conducted by bicycle along seven roads (12.5 km) in 2010, 2012, and 2013. Also, opportunistic observations (n = 103) spanning over 30 years were assembled from a variety of sources. In total, 2083 vertebrates (49 species), including 446 reptiles (11 species), were recorded “dead onroad” during systematic surveys. The highest diversity of reptiles was recorded on Matchette Road, whereas the highest rate of reptile mortality was recorded on Malden Road. Reptile species at risk were killed on all roads surveyed. Combining systematic and opportunistic data, we found seven reptile species at risk: Butler’s Gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri), Eastern Foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus), Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus), Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii),Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica), and Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Reptile road mortality “hotspots” occurred where each road is intersected by a naturalized utility right-of-way. Our results can be used to focus mitigation efforts in space and time to reduce mortality rates and enhance connectivity in the Ojibway Prairie Complex and Greater Park Ecosystem.

Global population trends in shorebirds: migratory behaviour makes species at risk

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Koleček ◽  
Jiří Reif ◽  
Miroslav Šálek ◽  
Jan Hanzelka ◽  
Camille Sottas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Species At Risk ◽  
Migratory Behaviour ◽  
Global Population

Measuring grassland structure for recovery of grassland species at risk

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xulin Guo ◽  
Wei Gao ◽  
John Wilmshurst
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Species At Risk ◽  
Grassland Species

Do changes in reef habitats influence relative predation risk on the juvenile Australasian spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii (Hutton, 1875)?

Crustaceana ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 88 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 839-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hesse ◽  
J. A. Stanley ◽  
A. G. Jeffs
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Spiny Lobster ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Small Spatial Scale ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Early Juvenile ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Jasus Edwardsii ◽  
Commercially Important

Kelp habitats are in decline in many temperate coastal regions of the world due to climate change and expansion of populations of grazing urchins. The loss of kelp habitat may influence the vulnerability to predators of the juveniles of commercially important species. In this study relative predation rates for kelp versus barren reef habitat were measured for early juvenile Australasian spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii (Hutton, 1875), on the northeastern coast of New Zealand using tethering methods. Variation in assemblages of predators over small spatial scales appeared to be more important for determining the relative predation of lobsters, regardless of habitat type. Therefore, the assessment of relative predation risk to early juvenile lobsters between kelp and barren habitats will require more extensive sampling at a small spatial scale, as well as a specific focus on sampling during crepuscular and nocturnal periods when these lobsters are most at risk of predation.

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