Literaturdatenbank
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Willey, L. L., & Sievert, P. R. , Ecology of box turtles in central massachusetts. Paper presented at Third Box Turtle Conservation Workshop.
Added by: Admin (14 Aug 2008 20:33:48 UTC) |
| Resource type: Proceedings Article BibTeX citation key: Willey2007 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Emydidae, Habitat = habitat, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Terrapene, Terrapene carolina Creators: Sievert, Willey Collection: Third Box Turtle Conservation Workshop |
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| Abstract |
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Eastern box turtles (Terrapene c. carolina) are rare throughout central New England and are a Species of Special Concern in Massachusetts. In 2005 we initiated a four-year telemetry / mark-recapture study to examine the ecology, demographics, and home range structure of eastern box turtles in the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts, at the northern limit of the species’ range. Over the first two field seasons, we tracked 62 individuals at six distinct sites for 1-2 years. Turtles were located by radio-telemetry twice a week during the active season (May-October), and over 5,000 locations were recorded. Total straight line movement distance over one season ranged from 135 to 2,200 meters. Home range size did not differ significantly between the sexes, but males tended to move consistently throughout the active season, while female movements were concentrated before and after nesting. Females, males, and juveniles utilized open areas such as residential yards, abandoned gravel pits, fields, and power-line corridors in spring and early summer, and deciduous and pine-oak forests for over-wintering. A single clutch was deposited by females during June into early July, and nest sites were limited to anthropogenic disturbed areas. Clutch sizes ranged from 3 to 10 eggs (mean=5.9, n=31). Nest depredation pressure varied across sites. Nests that were protected from predators had a 53% success rate (n=31). Straight carapace length, movement distance, and clutch size are generally larger than reported throughout the rest of subspecies’ range, consistent with latitudinal size increases observed in some related species. We will continue to monitor these populations through 2008 and draft a conservation management plan for the species in Massachusetts. Road and mowing mortality, collection, nest depredation, prescribed burning, and disturbance of nest sites by off-road vehicles could lead to population declines even at protected sites throughout the region. Appropriately timed management of habitats, education regarding collection, and human use restrictions on nest sites could help mitigate the continued loss and fragmentation of habitat across the state.
Added by: Admin |