Literaturdatenbank
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Iverson, J. B., & Meshaka, W. E. (2006). Sternotherus odoratus – common musk turtle or stinkpot. In P. A. Meylan (Ed.), Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles Vol. 3, (pp. 207–233).
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (06 Jul 2014 16:11:42 UTC) |
| Resource type: Book Article BibTeX citation key: Iverson2006b View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Gopherus polyphemus, Habitat - habitat, Nordamerika - North America, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae Creators: Iverson, Meshaka, Meylan Collection: Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles |
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| Abstract |
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The common musk turtle or stinkpot, Sternotherus odoratus, ranges across the eastern half of the United States and Canada from Maine and Ontario to Wisconsin, Texas, and Florida. It is one of the smallest turtles in Florida, and is one of two musk turtles native to the state. It is a common though secretive inhabitant of nearly any body of still water in the state, except the Keys and the extreme southern Everglades. Males are generally smaller than females in Florida, but are more nearly equal in size at more northerly sites. The smallest adult body sizes are reached in Florida. The species is primarily diurnal or crepuscular, but may also be active at night in Florida, where it can be found active year-round. Females mature in 3 to 11 yrs and males in 2 to 7 yrs, with the shortest periods occurring in Florida. The nesting season increases in length with decreasing latitude, lasting from at least February through August in central Florida and only May through June in northern states. One to six clutches of 1–9 small calcareous eggs are laid each year, with the smallest and most clutches being produced in Florida. Across the species’ range egg size decreases with latitude, with the smallest eggs being produced in south Florida. Sex of hatchlings is related to nest temperature, with females predominating from nests with high temperatures, and males in nests of intermediate temperatures. As a result of this and other factors, sex ratios in populations vary from those generally male-biased in the north to those that are generally unbiased or female-dominated in south Florida. This turtle can attain extremely high densities in productive wetlands in Florida. Although they are omnivorous, they tend to prefer animal food, especially mollusks. The species’ primary interaction with humans is when it is hooked on a fishing line, damaged by boat propellers, or killed on roads during nesting forays. Destruction of wetlands also takes a heavy toll on these turtles. However, despite these losses, the species is unlikely to become threatened in Florida in the foreseeable future.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |