Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Johnson, L. , Reproductive ecology, demography, and causes of mortality in a population of eastern musk turtle (sternotherus odoratus) in central massachusetts.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:22:53 UTC) |
| Resource type: Conference Paper BibTeX citation key: anon2011f View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat - habitat, Nordamerika - North America, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises Creators: Johnson |
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| Abstract |
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I conducted a field study on a population of eastern musk turtles in 2007 and 2008, representing the first formal research project on the general ecology of this species in New England. Radiotelemetry, mark-recapture, and nest monitoring methods were used to document adult movements, population demographics, female reproductive behavior, and nesting parameters within a lake and adjacent stretch of river in Palmer, Massachusetts. This study provides the first evidence that musk turtles lay more than one clutch per year in the northern portion of its range. At least 75% of radio-tagged females laid two clutches with inter-nesting intervals ranging from 17 to 25 days. Significantly smaller adult body sizes observed in lake turtles and considerably higher densities in the lake than river (186 and 9 adults/ha, resp.) suggest that aquatic habitat type may strongly influence population demographics in this species. Observed rates of nest predation (63-94%) and adult mortality (26%) were high, with adult mortality rates exceeding those reported from any previous radiotelemetry study of the species. The observed causes of adult mortality including predation, automobiles, human recreation, and a possible disease agent that has been investigated, but not identified. Nine percent of radio-tagged individuals exhibited symptoms of illness, 4% died following symptoms, and 13% were found dead without any obvious injuries. This study serves as a starting point for further ecological research in New England and for more complete regional comparisons of life history traits for this species.
Added by: Admin |