Population Status,Threats and Conservation of the Spotted Pond Turtle;Geoclemys Hamiltonii(Gray,1830)(Geoemydidae) of Pakistan

The present study is based on some analytical studies of diversity, population status, Threats and conservation status of the black pond freshwater turtle, Geoclemys hamiltonii of Pakistan. Illegal international trade of the Black Spotted Turtle has escalated in the past few years which are indicated by seizure data in South and South-east Asian countries. Bangkok is one of the major destined for illegal trade in East Asia. International smuggling occurs predominantly by passengers using commercial airlines concealing animals in their baggage. Black Spotted Turtle smuggling could be part of this overall pattern of demand. Although some of the seizures resulted in arrests, few successful prosecutions of smugglers have been reported. Efforts supporting enforcement and prosecution are recommended to raise awareness of this issue and address poaching and illegal export of Black Spotted Turtles, with specific priority in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal. Formal Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) are strongly encouraged between governments of countries and territories along the trade route of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan to improve cross border enforcement.

A Long-Term Demographic Analysis of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) in Illinois Using Matrix Models

Matrix models and perturbation analyses provide a useful framework for evaluating demographic vital rates crucial to maintaining population growth. Determining which vital rates most influence population growth is necessary for effective management of long-lived organisms facing population declines. In Illinois, the state-endangered Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) occurs in two distinct populations, and management can benefit from an understanding of its demographic behavior. We conducted a mark–recapture study on both populations in 2015 and 2016 and used historical mark–recapture data from 1988 to 2010 to determine female age-specific survival and fecundity rates. Survival increased significantly with age, and age-specific reproductive output and fecundity were >1.0. However, both populations exhibited net reproductive rates below replacement levels, and one population had a negative growth rate. Summed elasticities for all adult age classes indicate adult survival has the highest proportional impact on population growth. We found evidence of demographic divergence between the two populations, and thus the prioritization of vital rates varied somewhat between sites, with a relatively higher emphasis on juvenile and young adult survival for one population. We recommend conservation actions such as habitat management and predator control, which will have positive impacts across stage classes.

Record longevity of a Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)

Turtles are known for their longevity, but the maximum life span for many species remains unknown. Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) can live for more than 30 years in the wild, but typical or maximum longevity has not been confirmed. As part of a long-term mark–recapture project in Ottawa, Ontario, near the species’ northern limit, an adult female was captured on 27 April 2017. It had first been marked on 11 June 1983, when it was an adult with 17 growth rings on its plastron. Based on the number of growth rings at first capture, and the intervening time, this turtle is a minimum of 51 years old, setting a longevity record for the species. Ten individuals in this population were at least 30 years old when last captured, including a male at least 41 years old. Few of these turtles have grown measurably since being marked in 1983, and it is likely that these minimum ages are underestimates of actual ages.

Using a Conservation Biology Blueprint to Protect Seven Species found in the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, Canada

This project developed a conservation biology blueprint for the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve (FABR) region that can be used towards assessing current conservation practices as well as making future recommendations. The findings of the study can be used towards the Ten Year Biosphere Review for UNESCO, which the FABR submits to keep their biosphere designation. By gathering information in real time, appropriate actions can be taken much more quickly than if the information was only gathered every ten years. This means that different actors can alter their actions to preserve species diversity and success as different factors influence those species through time. For this study, seven species (bald eagle, red-headed woodpecker, common five-lined skink, black rat snake, milksnake, spotted turtle, and great blue heron) were mapped in the area between Frontenac Provincial Park and Charleston Lake Provincial Park. The black rat snake, spotted turtle, and great blue heron were specifically explored in an online survey as well. This study area was chosen on the suggestion of the FABR because it connects Crown Land with the provincial parks, making implementing any new policies easier than land found in the North-South corridor of Ontario which contains a high amount of private development. Using the predicted tree species data, county land usage, eBird data, and endangered species general distribution, this paper hopes to identify where key areas of protection are. By quickly locating hotspots for endangered species, stricter conservation regulations can be implemented to help the recovery of these species.

Assessment of Road Mortality in the Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)

The Spotted Turtle (Clemmy guttata), a small freshwater turtle species, prefer shallow wetland habitats, and are restricted to eastern North America, predominantly in southern Ontario along the southern shores of the Great Lakes. However, the Spotted Turtle has been classified as ‘vulnerable’ (a species of special concern) by COSEWIC since 1991, owing to the 35% decline of the population throughout the past century. This is primarily of concern regarding reductions of ecosystem biodiversity, and further anthropogenic pressures will drive the species towards further endangerment. High rates of road mortality are considered a key actor in facilitating a decline in the Spotted Turtle population. A study by Ashley and Robinson (1996) found that approximately 25% of annual Spotted Turtle deaths are a direct result of roadway incidents, around the Long Point Causeway, bordering Lake Erie. By utilizing data from Long Point, the extent of road mortality of the Spotted Turtle will be characterized by analyzing the proportions of deaths in high-density versus low-density roadways. There is varied response to the effectiveness of various solutions to minimize road mortality, including a vegetation management approach boarding roadways, subterranean passages, barriers along roadsides, and influencing and informing in decision-making processes. With the Sandy Pines Wildlife Center, Napanee, reductions in roadway mortality rates will decline along the 401 by increasing both public and private sector awareness regarding the issue of Spotted Turtle road mortality. Recommendations to communities and government entities will be made to facilitate the improvement of the status of Spotted Turtle.

Epizoophyte composition on spotted turtle Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) in Turkey

A total of 59 species of epizoic algae were recorded from the carapace of Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Testudinata, Emydidae). Division wise distribution of the recorded algae were Cyanophyta 26, Chlorophyta 13, Euglenophyta 5 and Chrysophyta 15. Among the recorded species Phormidium ambiguum, Pseudanabaena limnetica, Chroococcus spp. and Microcystis spp. were observed intensively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v43i2.21667 Bangladesh J. Bot. 43(2): 157-161, 2014 (September)