Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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House, W. J. (2009). Selected aspects of the ecology of semi-aquatic turtles inhabiting ponds in east-central kansas. Unpublished thesis , Emporia State University.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (27 Nov 2011 14:28:07 UTC) |
| Resource type: Thesis/Dissertation BibTeX citation key: House2009 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Chelydra, Chelydra serpentina, Chelydridae, Chrysemys, Chrysemys picta, Emydidae, Habitat = habitat, Nordamerika = North America, Pseudemys, Pseudemys concinna, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Trachemys, Trachemys scripta Creators: House Publisher: Emporia State University |
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| Abstract |
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Ponds are common in many agricultural landscapes and provide lentic aquatic habitat for wildlife that has added to what would have been historically available. Studies of semi-aquatic turtle assemblages in lotic habitats, lakes, and reservoirs have been relatively common, but few studies have addressed pond assemblages. Semi-aquatic turtles often move overland between aquatic habitats. The general paradigm associated with overland movements of semi-aquatic turtles between aquatic habitats predicts that males move more frequently and for greater distances than females and juveniles and that larger individuals move more often than smaller individuals. The abundance of ponds in east-central Kansas provided an opportunity to both describe selected aspects of the pond turtle assemblages and test the predictions of the general paradigm associated with movements of turtles between aquatic habitats. Frame nets and basking traps were used to sample turtle assemblages within eight ponds located in east-central Kansas (Lyon Co.) from 15 May 2007 - 1 October 2007. A total of 655 unique individuals were captured and four species were detected (Chrysemys picta bellii , N = 387; Trachemys scripta elegans , N = 188; Chelydra serpentina serpentina , N = 79; Pseudemys concinna concinna , N = 1). The observed patterns of movement were not consistent with any of the predictions of the general paradigm associated with the movement of turtles between aquatic habitats. I suggest that the costs and benefits associated with overland movements of turtles vary both spatially and temporally. As cost-benefit ratios vary, so should predictions for interpond movements among turtles of different sexes, sizes, and ontogenetic stages.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |