Influences on Standard Metabolism in Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina)

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.M. Gienger ◽  
Eva M. Urdiales
Keyword(s):  
Terrapene Carolina ◽  
Standard Metabolism ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Eastern Box Turtles

Identification of a novel herpesvirus in captive Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina)

2015 ◽  
Vol 175 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 218-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard R. Sim ◽  
Terry M. Norton ◽  
Ellen Bronson ◽  
Matthew C. Allender ◽  
Nancy Stedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Terrapene Carolina ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Eastern Box Turtles ◽  
Terrapene Carolina Carolina

PREVALENCE OF INTRAERYTHROCYTIC PARASITES IN MAROCHELYS TEMMINCKII, EMYDOIDEA BLANDINGII, TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA, AND TERRAPENE ORNATA ORNATA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Doke ◽  
Kara Hiebert ◽  
Melanie Repella ◽  
Megan Stuart ◽  
Lauren Mumm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Classes ◽  
Emydoidea Blandingii ◽  
Terrapene Carolina ◽  
Terrapene Ornata ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Eastern Box Turtles ◽  
Specific Species ◽  
Terrapene Carolina Carolina ◽  
Free Ranging

Few studies have characterized the prevalence of intraerythrocytic parasites in free-ranging chelonian populations or their occurrence across habitats. It is hypothesized that chelonians in different habitats have different exposures to vectors and thus, differences in hemoparasite presence. This study explored the prevalence and intensity of intraerythrocytic parasites by examining blood smears from four species of Illinois turtles: wild Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) (EBT), and ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata ornata) (OBT) and headstarted alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) (AST). Intraerythrocytic parasites were identified in all examined species except for the alligator snapping turtle. For all age classes, Blanding’s turtles had both the highest prevalence of hemoparasites and intensity of infection of all sampled species, while adult Blanding’s turtles had a significantly higher prevalence than juveniles (P<0.05). As this is the first study of hemoparasites in Illinois chelonians, further research is needed to identify the specific species of intraerythrocytic parasite, the potential vectors, and the effect these hemoparasites have on the health of chelonians.

Spring emergence of Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina): influences of individual variation and scale of temperature correlates

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett A. DeGregorio ◽  
Tracey D. Tuberville ◽  
Robert A. Kennamer ◽  
Bess B. Harris ◽  
I. Lehr Brisbin
Keyword(s):  
Individual Variation ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Terrapene Carolina ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Winter Temperatures ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Eastern Box Turtles ◽  
Using Data ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Spring Emergence

Many organisms spend considerable time in dormancy to avoid stressful environmental conditions. Understanding the timing and triggers of dormancy behavior is critical for understanding an animal’s life history and behavior. Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina (L., 1758)) avoid winter temperatures by burrowing into the soil and remaining dormant. Identifying the proximate environmental cues that trigger emergence can improve conservation efforts by reducing potential aboveground turtle mortality. During a 17-year study, half of all variation in emergence timing was attributed to individual variation and the habitat that they occupied during dormancy. We suggest that individual variation in emergence timing is common within populations and confounds efforts to identify reliable emergence cues. Additionally, the scale of meteorological data limits the ability to identify emergence predictors. Using data from temperature loggers placed at dormancy locations, we found that surface air temperatures, averaged over the 5 days prior to emergence, were more strongly related to emergence probability than any variables derived from local weather stations. Turtles generally did not emerge from dormancy until the 5-day mean surface temperatures measured at dormancy sites reached approximately 15 °C. Our results suggest that individuals respond differently to environmental thresholds for emergence and individuals may be characterized as risk-taking or risk-aversive.

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