An 18-Year Mark–Recapture Study of Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in Michigan

The homing ability of non-marine turtles has been studied in a variety of taxa, and many species appear to be capable of short-range homing on the scale of several hundred meters or a few kilometers following experimental displacement. However, the behavioral response of turtles following a naturally caused displacement has seldom been reported. In this paper, we describe the effect of displacement ranging from 1.4 to 16.8 km (average = 4.8 km) by severe floods in a stream system in Massachusetts. We radio-tracked 38 adult Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) at five separate sites in Franklin County, Massachusetts, for periods ranging from one to four activity seasons and documented the displacement of a total of 12 Wood Turtles during seven floods between 2004 and 2008. Based on the average rate of displacement per flood and annual flood frequency, we estimate that, during our study, floods displaced over 40% of this Wood Turtle subpopulation annually. We present evidence that displacement results in elevated mortality rates and that displaced Wood Turtles mate and nest in the year following displacement at rates well below average; on a longer time scale, however, displacement by flooding may be an important mechanism of population connectivity in some areas. We also present evidence that most Wood Turtles avoid stream segments with stream gradient steeper than 1%; this may in part reflect an adaptation to avoid severe floods. Regional models and empirical data from stream gages suggest that flood intensity may currently be on an increasing trend. Conversion of upland from forest and fields to impervious surfaces and hardening of upstream riverbanks may have exacerbated recent flooding and decreased the resiliency of the riparian system to increased precipitation.

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Nest-Site Selection by Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in a Thermally Limited Environment

Northeastern Naturalist ◽

10.1656/045.016.n302 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 321-338 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Geoffrey N. Hughes ◽

William F. Greaves ◽

Jacqueline D. Litzgus

Keyword(s):

Site Selection ◽

Nest Site ◽

Nest Site Selection ◽

Glyptemys Insculpta ◽

Wood Turtles

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Passive transport of Eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata) by freshwater turtles in New England

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v134i1.2379 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 134 (1) ◽

pp. 56-59

Author(s):

Michael T. Jones ◽

Lisabeth L. Willey ◽

Derek T. Yorks ◽

Peter D. Hazelton ◽

Steve L. Johnson

Keyword(s):

New England ◽

Painted Turtle ◽

Chelydra Serpentina ◽

Freshwater Turtles ◽

Long Distance ◽

Host Fish ◽

Snapping Turtle ◽

Elliptio Complanata ◽

Glyptemys Insculpta ◽

Wood Turtles

Dispersal of freshwater mussels (order Unionida) is primarily as glochidia on the fins and gills of host fish. Adult mussels are more sessile, generally moving short distances (<2 m/week) along lake and river beds. Between 2007 and 2016, we observed seven instances of adult Eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata) and one instance of a fingernail clam (Sphaerium sp.) attached to the feet of freshwater turtles in streams and ponds of New England, United States. Observations included five instances of mussels attached to Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in Maine and Massachusetts, one instance of a mussel attached to the fingernail of an Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) in Massachusetts, one instance of a mussel attached to a Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) in Massachusetts, and one instance of a fingernail clam attached to the fingernail of an Eastern Painted Turtle in Massachusetts. We suggest that Eastern Elliptio may be susceptible to transport by freshwater turtles foraging in mussel beds and that transport of adult mussels by freshwater turtles could result in otherwise atypical long-distance, upstream, or overland dispersal between waterbodies.

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Habitat selection, movement, and food preferences of Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in an agri-forested landscape

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/cjz-2020-0074 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (11) ◽

pp. 743-750

Author(s):

S.D. Wallace ◽

G.J. Forbes ◽

J.J. Nocera

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

Fourth Order ◽

Woody Debris ◽

Food Preferences ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Ecological Trap ◽

Habitat Features ◽

The Third ◽

Glyptemys Insculpta ◽

Wood Turtles

Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta (Le Conte, 1830)) can use agricultural fields for basking and feeding, but hayfields can be an ecological trap due to mortality associated with agricultural machinery. It is unclear if hayfields are selected habitat or simply occur adjacent to used waterways. We sought to investigate Wood Turtle habitat selection at the third- and fourth-order scales in an agri-forested landscape and quantify food abundance (berries, fungi, and gastropods–worms) among habitat types. To quantify habitat selection by Wood Turtles, we radio-tracked 23 adults from May to November of 2018. We measured habitat features at each turtle location and three random sites within 50 m. At the third order, turtles primarily selected for edge habitat and selected hayfields over forest. At the fourth order, turtles selected for low canopy cover and presence of woody debris. Earthworms (suborder Lumbricina) were abundant within hayfields, and berries and fungi were abundant in forests. Turtles abandoned hayfields at the end of July, likely due to the emergence of food within the forest. Food availability likely influences their habitat use during the season, and hayfields provide a food source that entices Wood Turtles during the prime hay harvest period, which likely increases the risk of machinery-related mortality.

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Survey methodology for the detection of Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta)

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v127i3.1486 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 127 (3) ◽

pp. 216 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Melissa Flanagan ◽

Vanessa Roy-McDougall ◽

Graham Forbes ◽

Glen Forbes

Keyword(s):

Survey Methodology ◽

Population Monitoring ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Canadian Forces ◽

Glyptemys Insculpta ◽

Environmental Impact Assessments ◽

Terrestrial Environments ◽

Wood Turtles ◽

Significant Factors ◽

Wood Turtle

Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) are difficult to survey because their use of aquatic and terrestrial environments varies spatio-temporally. Existing survey methodology is highly variable and typically involves searching for Wood Turtles within water and on land 0 to >20 m from the shoreline from spring to autumn. The mobility of Wood Turtles suggests that detection is likely influenced by distance surveyed from water and the amount of vegetation, which varies by season. To determine an ideal survey methodology for the Wood Turtle, we recorded distances from a waterway of 31 radio-tagged turtles at Canadian Forces Base, Gagetown, New Brunswick, in 2003 and 2004. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine the probability of finding male or female Wood Turtles with increasing distance from water at different times of day or season. Sex and time of day were not significant factors in detecting Wood Turtles. Season was a significant factor, with highest probability (69%) of finding Wood Turtles at a distance of 0–10 m of a waterway up to July 1 (corresponding to pre-nesting and nesting periods), compared to probabilities of <10% for any 10-m distance between 10 m and 50 m from a waterway. After July 1, the highest detection probability (50%) was at distances greater than 50 m from a waterway. We recommend that Wood Turtle surveys for environmental impact assessments and population monitoring be conducted on warm days (i.e., 10–25°C) within 10 m of waterways up to July 1.

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Home Ranges of Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in Northern Michigan

Chelonian Conservation and Biology ◽

10.2744/1071-8443(2006)5[42:hrowtg]2.0.co;2 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 42 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Alysa J. Remsberg ◽

Timothy L. Lewis ◽

Philip W. Huber ◽

Kimberly A. Asmus

Keyword(s):

Home Ranges ◽

Glyptemys Insculpta ◽

Wood Turtles ◽

Northern Michigan

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Thermoregulation and habitat selection in wood turtles Glyptemys insculpta: chasing the sun slowly

Journal of Animal Ecology ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2656.2009.01555.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 78 (5) ◽

pp. 1023-1032 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

Y. Dubois ◽

G. Blouin-Demers ◽

B. Shipley ◽

D. Thomas

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

The Sun ◽

Glyptemys Insculpta ◽

Wood Turtles

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Chemical, thermal, and physical properties of sites selected for overwintering by northern wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z08-044 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 86 (7) ◽

pp. 659-667 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

W. F. Greaves ◽

J. D. Litzgus

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Water Depth ◽

Activity Cycle ◽

Structural Features ◽

Range Limit ◽

Glyptemys Insculpta ◽

Sediment Types ◽

Radio Transmitters ◽

Potential Factors ◽

Wood Turtles

Northern ectotherms must seek refuge from winter conditions for a large portion of their annual activity cycle. The objective of this study was to quantify physical properties of overwintering sites selected by wood turtles ( Glyptemys insculpta (LaConte, 1830)) at the species’ northern range limit. We mapped all structural features (e.g., root balls and log jams), water depth, and sediment types along a 1.5 km stretch of river that was available to turtles outfitted with radio transmitters (N = 8) during winter. Temperature selection was assessed by comparing thermal profiles from data loggers on turtles and temperature stations within the river and other riparian habitats (e.g., ephemeral pools and oxbows). Dissolved oxygen (DO) was measured at each temperature station and turtle location. Wood turtles overwintered in the river, which was colder (~0 °C), had more stable temperatures, and provided higher DO (12.64 ppm) compared with adjacent habitats. Some turtles selected structured refuges for overwintering. Winter movements were not related to temperature or DO, but may be related to maintaining a certain distance from shore and water depth to protect against accidental relocations during winter. We discuss hibernacula as potential factors limiting the northern distribution of wood turtles, a species at risk in Canada.

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