Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Ernst, C. H. (1986). Ecology of the turtle, sternotherus odoratus, in southeastern pennsylvania. Journal of Herpetology, 20(3), 341–352.
Added by: Admin (24 Aug 2008 18:46:26 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Ernst1986a View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat = habitat, Kinosternidae, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Sternotherus, Sternotherus odoratus Creators: Ernst Collection: Journal of Herpetology |
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| Abstract |
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The common musk turtle, Sternotherus odoratus, was studied in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania from 1965 to 1983. During spring and fall, activity was confined to the morning hours, but in the summer (June-August) activity occurred during the morning and early evening hours. Diurnal trapping never produced S. odoratus, while nocturnal trapping did, probably indicating more nocturnal or crepuscular activity than revealed by visual inspection. The turtles were active from April to October, approximately 200 days per year. Cloacal temperatures of active turtles ranged from 14-30.degree. C (.hivin.x = 21.7); 67% of these temperatures fell between 16-24.degree. C. Feeding did not take place at water temperatures below 18.degree. V. The earliest date of feeding was 18 April 1967 and the latest 14 September 1966, a maximum observed annual feeding period of 150 days. In Pennsylvania S. odoratus were omnivorous. Growth ranges were calculated, and the oldest individuals, based on known age at initial capture, were 27 and 28 years old. Mating was observed in April and May, nesting during early evening in June. The mean number of eggs per clutch was 3.25 and the realized reproductive potential 0.5 young per clutch. The population density was 24 per hectare. The adult male to female ratio was 1.34/100, and the juvenile to adult ratio was 0.40/1.00. The average distance moved between captures was 93.6 m (males 117.3 m, females 89.5 m, juveniles 79.4 m). Home ranges were shifted after a pond, the primary habitat, was drained. Notes are also presented on the extent of predation, injuries, leech parasitism and carapacial algae.
Added by: Admin |