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Kipp, R. L. (2003). Nesting ecology of the eastern box turtle (terrapene carolina carolina) in a fragmented landscape. Unpublished thesis MSC, University of Delaware. 
Added by: Admin (14 Aug 2008 20:38:49 UTC)
Resource type: Thesis/Dissertation
BibTeX citation key: Kipp2003
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Categories: General
Keywords: Emydidae, Fortpflanzung = reproduction, Habitat = habitat, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Terrapene, Terrapene carolina
Creators: Kipp
Publisher: University of Delaware
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Abstract     
A paucity of information is available on the nesting ecology of the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). Specifically, minimal research has been conducted on nest site selection and how it relates to nest success. I investigated all aspects of nesting ecology (nesting behavior, nest site selection, clutch size and frequency, nest success, and nest site fidelity) and compared them among 4 study sites: 3 with varying degrees of disturbance and 1 interior forest area. I used radiotelemetry to relocate female box turtles in order to determine their reproductive status throughout the nesting seasons in 2001 and 2002. Using x-ray photography of 38 radio transmittered females, I determined the presence and number of eggs. Thirty-two females were gravid at least once during my study and egg retention varied from a minimum of 7 – 26 days. The earliest documented nesting date was 27 May and the latest was 11 July. Gravid females moved long distances to nest (up to 450 m), and females in the interior forest moved more than 3 times farther than those at other study areas. I monitored gravid females to observe nesting behavior and mark nest sites. Clutch size ranged from 1 – 9 eggs, and was positively related to female body size. Out of a sample of 57 gravid females, I marked and monitored 39 nests to determine nest fate. Females most often nested in areas with an open canopy, sun exposure for part of the day, and in close proximity to a forest edge. Nest sites had less canopy cover and a lower percentage of grass and forbs than random sites, whereas exposure to sunlight and percentages of vines, woody vegetation, woody debris, organic litter, and other life forms, did not affect nest site selection. Similar numbers of nests were successful (n = 12), had inviable eggs (n = 13), or were depredated (n = 11). Percentage of successful nests was greatest at the most fragmented areas (50%, 45%, 31%), whereas success at the interior forest area was less than 1%. Two study sites with moderate disturbance produced more hatchlings each than either the interior forest site or the most disturbed site. Incubation periods ranged from 67 – 105 days. Although the nesting period lasted from late May to early July, hatchlings emerged during the same time period in September. Since nests in more fragmented areas were more likely to be at roadside edges or in agricultural cropland, females may nest in unsuitable areas when other suitable habitat is not available. My data suggest that fragmented forest areas contain box turtle populations with limited choices for nesting, which could eventually affect recruitment and population stability.
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