Literaturdatenbank
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Howey, C. A. F., & Roosenburg, W. M. (2013). Effects of prescribed fire on the eastern box turtle (terrapene carolina carolina). Northeastern Naturalist, 20(3), 493–497.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:24:35 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1656/045.020.0312 BibTeX citation key: Howey2013a View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat - habitat, Nordamerika - North America, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises Creators: Howey, Roosenburg Collection: Northeastern Naturalist |
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| Abstract |
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While conducting an on-going project investigating the effects of prescribed fire on reptile communities, 31 Terrapene Carolina Carolina (Eastern Box Turtle) were captured in burned and unburned study sites; some with extensive injuries that were likely caused by a recent prescribed burn. In order to determine if the disturbance had any negative effects on the turtles, we recorded morphometries, mass, sex, and injuries for each one captured. Twenty percent of box turtles in the burned area exhibited injuries caused by the fire. Turtles in burned sites were similar in length but weighed significantly less (df = 1, F = 5.255, P = 0.0329) and had a poorer body-condition index than turtles in unburned sites. Additionally, one injured box turtle was encountered 32 times in a burned site. On average, this individual moved 22.5 m/day within a 3.77 ha home range. Over the course of 1 year, the turtle grew 1.3 mm and gained 27 g. The injuries to the carapace of this individual never fully healed during that year, and the scutes did not grow back; however, regeneration of the carapace may require a longer period of time. These scant data suggest that Eastern Box Turtles may not respond favorably to prescribed fire, and indicate that additional studies are needed to increase knowledge of the effects of prescribed fire on this species.
Added by: Admin |