scholarly journals Cues used by predators to detect freshwater turtle nests may persist late into incubation

2014 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia L. Riley ◽  
Jacqueline D. Litzgus
Keyword(s):  
Incubation Period ◽  
Freshwater Turtle ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Painted Turtles ◽  
Turtle Conservation ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Nest Depredation ◽  
Trail Cameras ◽  
The Relationship

Previous studies have found that turtle nest depredation is concentrated immediately post-oviposition, likely because cues alerting predators to nest presence are most obvious during this time. In Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, we examined the frequency of nest depredation during the incubation period for Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina [Linnaeus, 1758]) and Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata [Agassiz, 1857]). Contrary to most past findings, nest depredation occurred throughout the incubation period for both species. In fact, 83% and 86% of depredation interactions with Snapping and Painted Turtle nests, respectively, occurred more than a week after oviposition at our study site. Peaks in nest depredation (weeks with ≥10% nest depredation) occurred late in incubation and may have coincided with hatching. Trail cameras deployed at four nesting sites revealed six predator species interacting with nests. The presence of predators at nest sites increased late in the incubation period indicating a persistence or renewal (from hatching) of cues; additional research is necessary to determine the nature of these cues. These findings have implications for both research and turtle conservation. Further research should examine the relationship between temporal changes in predator species’ density and patterns of nest depredation. Additionally, in areas where protective nest caging is used as a species recovery action, it may be important to ensure that cages remain in place throughout the incubation period until emergence of hatchlings.

scholarly journals Not just any old pile of dirt: evaluating the use of artificial nesting mounds as conservation tools for freshwater turtles

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Paterson ◽  
Brad D. Steinberg ◽  
Jacqueline D. Litzgus
Keyword(s):  
Hatching Success ◽  
Freshwater Turtle ◽  
Transplant Experiment ◽  
Chelydra Serpentina ◽  
Freshwater Turtles ◽  
Aquatic Habitats ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Gravid Females

AbstractThe viability of freshwater turtle populations is largely dependent on the survivorship of reproducing females but females are frequently killed on roads as they move to nesting sites. Installing artificial nesting mounds may increase recruitment and decrease the risk of mortality for gravid females by enticing them to nest closer to aquatic habitats. We evaluated the effectiveness of artificial nesting mounds installed in Algonquin Park, Canada. Artificial mounds were monitored for 2 years to determine if turtles would select them for nest sites. We also simulated turtle paths from wetlands to nests to determine the probability that females would encounter the new habitat. A transplant experiment with clutches of Chrysemys picta and Chelydra serpentina eggs compared nest success and incubation conditions in the absence of predation between artificial mounds and natural sites. More turtles than expected used the artificial mounds, although mounds comprised a small proportion of the available nesting habitat and the simulations predicted that the probability of females encountering mounds was low. Hatching success was higher in nests transplanted to artificial mounds (93%) than in natural nests (56%), despite no differences in heat units. Greater use than expected, high hatching success, and healthy hatchlings emerging from nests in artificial mounds suggest promise for their use as conservation tools.

scholarly journals Turtles and trail cameras: non-invasive monitoring using artificial platforms

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shem David Unger ◽  
Allison Santana
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Freshwater Turtle ◽  
Freshwater Turtles ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Painted Turtles ◽  
Trapping Methods ◽  
Urban Pond ◽  
Early Fall ◽  
Trail Cameras

    Freshwater turtles often utilize basking habitats, allowing researchers to obtain population estimates and relative abundances from visual observations via spotting scopes in addition to other traditional trapping methods. Emerging technologies, such as camera trapping with wildlife trail cameras have been extensively utilized in other taxa, primarily mammals and in reptiles such as terrestrial tortoises, but to a lesser extent for monitoring freshwater turtles. Given their ability to bask, combining readily available non-invasive camera traps with standardized platforms may aid researchers study freshwater turtle populations and basking behavior. We assessed this method by deploying a novel artificial basking platform design in tandem with camera traps for weekly monitoring of turtles at a small semi-urban pond in central North Carolina for six months (April to September 2018). Basking behavior was documented with 1098 observations, with the number of turtles utilizing platforms varying according to season, and overall peak use during late spring and early fall. We also noted shifts in artificial basking structure use by species, with Painted turtles, Chrysemys picta, replacing Yellow-bellied slider turtles, Trachemys scripta, as the dominant basking species over time. Conservation managers should consider using both platforms and trail cameras, for monitoring of freshwater basking turtle populations and as a metric for turtle presence or for detailed studies of behavior. 

scholarly journals Factors influencing the occurrence of negative interactions between people and crocodilians in Mexico

Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Giovany Arturo González-Desales ◽  
Luis Sigler ◽  
Jesús García-Grajales ◽  
Pierre Charruau ◽  
Martha Mariela Zarco-González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Rigorous Evaluation ◽  
Caiman Crocodilus ◽  
Crocodylus Acutus ◽  
American Crocodile ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Nesting Season ◽  
Negative Interactions

Abstract Negative interactions between people and crocodilians have increased worldwide, but in Mexico there have been few systematic reports and no rigorous evaluation of this problem. We compiled information on negative interactions between people and the spectacled caiman Caiman crocodilus and American crocodile Crocodylus acutus from the Worldwide Crocodilian Attack Database for 1993–2018, and we investigated interactions in greater depth, through interviews with people in La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve. We examined the relationship between the occurrence of negative interactions between people and C. acutus and the species' nesting season and abundance, and presence records. In Mexico, the frequency of negative interactions increases when anthropogenic activities occur close to nesting sites (< 30 km) and during the nesting season (February–September). In La Encrucijada, following negative interactions with crocodiles, the local inhabitants killed 30 crocodiles measuring > 2.5 m long in 2011–2012. The frequency of negative human–crocodilian interactions was not correlated with the abundance of crocodilians but was correlated with the number of presence records of crocodiles. Strategies to minimize these interactions include warnings at nesting sites, increased monitoring of anthropogenic activities during the nesting season, and management of nests to prevent them being destroyed by people.

scholarly journals Nesting stage and distance to refuge influence terrestrial nesting behavior of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta)

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (11) ◽  
pp. 837-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Delaney ◽  
Fredric J. Janzen ◽  
Daniel A. Warner
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Work ◽  
Chrysemys Picta ◽  
Flight Behavior ◽  
Human Observer ◽  
Potential Predator ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Painted Turtles ◽  
Flight Costs ◽  
Fitness Benefits ◽  
Predator Behavior

Theory predicts prey should flee to safety when the fitness benefits of flight meet or exceed the costs. Empirical work has shown the importance of predation risk (e.g., predator behavior, distance to refuge) to prey flight behavior. However, less is known about the influence of flight costs. We monitored nesting Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta (Schneider, 1783)) to examine their response to a human observer (potential predator) depending on the distance between a turtle and an observer, distance between a turtle and water (i.e., refuge), and nesting stage at the time of the encounter (i.e., searching for a nest site vs. constructing a nest). We found no evidence that the distance to an observer influenced flight decisions. However, turtles were less likely to flee as the distance to water increased, and turtles already constructing nests were more likely to continue nesting than those still searching for nest sites. Turtles that traveled farther from water and that were constructing nests may have continued nesting because they had invested considerable energy and were close to completing oviposition. Thus, the fitness benefits of being closer to successful oviposition may outweigh the costs of increased vulnerability to predators during this important and vulnerable period of reproduction.

scholarly journals Revisiting the hypothesis of sex-biased turtle road mortality

2019 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Carstairs ◽  
Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux ◽  
Christina M. Davy
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Centre ◽  
Road Mortality ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Emydoidea Blandingii ◽  
Painted Turtles ◽  
Snapping Turtles ◽  
Turtle Conservation ◽  
Map Turtles ◽  
Graptemys Geographica ◽  
Using Data

Road mortality poses a major threat to turtle populations. Several studies have suggested that the terrestrial movements associated with nesting increase this risk for females. The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) is home to the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre, which admits 900 or more turtles a year, with road injuries the primary cause of admission. We tested the hypothesis that road mortality in turtles is female-biased using data from injured Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata), Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina), Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), and Northern Map Turtles (Graptemys geographica) collected over about 126 000 km2 and admitted to OTCC’s hospital from January 2013 to October 2017. There was no difference in the number of male and female admissions of Midland Painted, Blanding’s, or Snapping Turtles (P > 0.05); however, more female Northern Map Turtles than males were admitted (P < 0.001). Admission of female turtles peaked in June during the nesting season, but male admissions were more evenly distributed throughout the season. Our admissions data provide a temporally unbiased and geographically broad snapshot of turtle–vehicle interactions that can directly inform conservation and management policies. Although our data are not equivalent to mortality rates, these results demonstrate that vehicle strikes can have a substantial impact on both female and male turtles.

scholarly journals Extrapair Fertilization in the Black-Browed Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus Bistrigiceps): Effects on Mating Status and Nesting Cycle of Cuckolded and Cuckolder Males

The Auk ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 1086-1096
Author(s):  
Shoji Hamao ◽  
Daichi S. Saito
Keyword(s):  
Incubation Period ◽  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Reed Warbler ◽  
Fertile Period ◽  
Mating Status ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Socially Monogamous ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Extrapair Copulation

Abstract We studied the relationship between the occurrence of extrapair fertilizations (EPFs) and mating status and nesting cycle of mates, respectively, in a population of Black-browed Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus bistrigiceps). Overall, 6.4% (9 of 140) of the chicks were sired by extrapair males, and 13.5% (5 of 37) of the broods contained at least one extrapair chick. Socially polygynous males were cuckolded more frequently than socially monogamous males (40.0% and 3.7%, respectively). In three of four cases where cuckolded males were polygynous, the fertile periods of their mates overlapped. Except for two floating males that obtained EPFs, five out of seven cuckolder males were paired. Males succeeded in EPFs when the fertile period of the extrapair females largely overlapped the incubation period of their own mates. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that there are trade-offs between extrapair copulation activity and both mate guarding and rearing of nestlings. Fertilisation Extraconjugale chez Acrocephalus bistrigiceps: Effets des Mâles Infidèles et Cocus sur le Statut de Couple et le Cycle de Nidification

scholarly journals Non-Trapping, Non-Invasive, Rapid Surveillance Sampling Using Tracking Tunnels, Trail Cameras, and eDNA to Determine Presence of Pest Predator Species

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron , B. Shiels ◽  
Antoinette, J. Piaggio ◽  
Tyler Bogardus ◽  
Claudia, D. Lombard ◽  
Nicole , F. Angeli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predator Species ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Trail Cameras ◽  
Tracking Tunnels

scholarly journals Population assessment and foraging ecology of the rare solitary bee Anthophora retusa at Seaford Head Nature reserve

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia Hennessy ◽  
Dave Goulson ◽  
Francis L. W. Ratnieks
Keyword(s):  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Solitary Bee ◽  
Male Population ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Plant Groups ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Flight Season ◽  
Declining Species ◽  
Sea Cliff

Abstract Anthophora retusa is a rare solitary bee which has declined throughout Britain and other European countries since the 1990s. It is thought to be restricted to five sites in Britain. However, information on these remaining populations is limited. Knowledge on population size, habitat and forage requirements and foraging distance, are important for successful conservation of species. The population of A. retusa at the Seaford Head Nature reserve in East Sussex was surveyed. Transects within the reserve were conducted and population estimates using mark recapture were made for 2018 and 2019. Pollen from foraging females was analysed alongside visual sightings to determine forage requirements. The total population was estimated to be 91 in 2018 (males and females) with an estimated male population of 167 in 2019. The most visited flower species by females was Glechoma hederacea (66% of visits) but flower preference changed throughout the flight season, shifting to Fabaceae species and Iris foetidissima with 16 plant groups identified in pollen samples. Bees were geographically restricted to a small area within the reserve (approximately 30 ha). Although the exact location of nesting sites was not determined with certainty it is thought nests are in the loess deposits at the top of the inaccessible sea cliff face. This project suggests the presence of appropriate nesting sites may be limiting A. retusa distribution as they appear to forage on common plant species. More research is needed on the exact nesting requirements of the species. Implications for Insect Conservation The findings from this paper help contribute to the limited understanding of the ecology of this rare and declining species. By knowing the forage requirements of A. retusa, other areas where it is found can ensure these are present within a short distance of nest sites, hopefully ensuring the survival of individual populations and therefore the species.

The Relationship between Body Weight, Egg Weight, Incubation Period, Nestling Period and Nest Site in the Psittaciformes, Falconiformes, Strigiformes and Columbiformes.

1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
DA Saunders ◽  
GT Smith ◽  
NA Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Incubation Period ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Incubation Periods ◽  
Nestling Period ◽  
The Relationship

The theory that landbirds which nest in holes tend to have larger clutches, longer incubation periods and longer nestling periods than those which nest in the open was tested by comparing the Psittaciformes, Columbiformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes. It was found that among the graminivore-frugivores, the hole-nesting Psittaciformes produce larger clutches, have longer incubation and nestling periods than the open-nesting Columbiformes. Among the carnivore-insectivores, the Strigiformes (which predominantly nest in holes) produce larger clutches and have longer nestling periods than the open-nesting Falconiformes but there is no difference in incubation periods.

scholarly journals Predation of stocked salmon by riparian wildlife in semi-natural stream

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kouta Miyamoto ◽  
Theodore E. Squires ◽  
Hitoshi Araki
Keyword(s):  
Camera Trap ◽  
Masu Salmon ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Oncorhynchus Masou ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Hatchery Fish ◽  
Natural Stream ◽  
Ardea Cinerea ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractPredation after release is one of the major concerns of hatchery fish conservation and propagation. However, the relationship among the size of hatchery fish, the predator species, and their behaviors in natural environments is largely unknown. To understand the relationship, we conducted predation experiments in outdoor tanks and a semi-natural stream with exposure to local predators. Two different ranges of fork lengths of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) were examined as prey sizes. Camera trap data showed that grey herons (Ardea cinerea) were the primary predator animal in the system, and that most herons utilized shallow areas in the morning or evening. Increasing the density of stocked salmon brought in more grey herons. More importantly, predation by grey herons resulted in the survival rate of larger salmon being significantly lower than that of the smaller salmon. Our results suggest that it is important to understand local predators, adjust the optimum body size of hatchery fish at release, and choose the appropriate stocking site and time of day for maximizing the effectiveness of fish stocking.

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