Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Williams, L. A. (2004). Glyptemys muhlenbergii (bog turtle). diet. Herpetological Review, 35(3), 265.
Added by: Admin (14 Aug 2008 20:38:57 UTC) Last edited by: Beate Pfau (01 Nov 2008 18:32:13 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Williams2004a View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Clemmys, Emydidae, Ernährung = nutrition, Glyptemys, Glyptemys muhlenbergii, Habitat = habitat, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises Creators: Williams Collection: Herpetological Review |
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| Abstract |
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Clemmys Bog Turtles are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders that apparently eat whatever acceptable food source is most abundant and easiest to obtain (Ernst and Barbour 1989. Turtles of the World. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 313 pp.). In Virginia, Bog Turtles have been observed eating tent caterpillars (Malacosoma sp.), earthworms (Annelida), and unidentified berries (Mitchell 1994. Reptiles of Virginia. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 352 pp; Carter 1997. M.S. Thesis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, 79 pp.). In the summer of 1999, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) biologists gathered additional information on G. muhlenbergii diet in Virginia during a mark-recapture population study in Floyd County. On 11 August 1999, a 9+ year-old, adult female G. muhlenbergii (max CL: 92 mm, max PL: 82 mm, mass: 122.5 g) deposited a fecal pellet in a holding bucket. Initial study of the scat revealed beetle exoskeleton parts which Richard Hoffman of the Virginia Natural History Museum in Martinsville, Virginia, identified as the remains of a Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica), a common, exotic pest species. On 18 August 1999, a 10+ year-old, adult female turtle (max CL: 95 mm, max PL: 86 mm, mass: 126.0 g) from a different location in Floyd County, also deposited a fecal pellet while being held for data collection. Initial study of this scat sample revealed over 30 small dark and light brown seeds. On average, the larger, dark brown seeds were 0.035 mm long and 0.016 mm wide and were considered mature. The smaller, lighter brown seeds on average were 0.020 mm long and 0.014 mm wide and were considered immature. Tom Wieboldt, Assistant Curator of the Virginia Tech Herbarium in Blacksburg, Virginia, identified the source for both types as low-bush blueberries (Vaccinium vacillans), a common woodland shrub species. Based on the amount of these food items in the two scat samples, both Japanese beetles and low-bush blueberries can be considered components of G. muhlenbergii diet in Virginia. Special thanks go to Michael Pinder of VDIGF and Eric Wilhelm of USDA-APHIS (formerly of VDIGF) for their assistance and to Richard Hoffman and Tom Wieboldt for their time and expertise.
Added by: Admin Last edited by: Beate Pfau |