Literaturdatenbank
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Lovich, J. E., Drost, C., Casper, D., & Monatesti, A. J. , Turtles in the well: aspects of the ecology of sonora mud turtles at montezuma well, arizona, usa. Unpublished paper presented at 6th World Congress of Herpetology.
Added by: Admin (21 Nov 2009 11:59:59 UTC) |
| Resource type: Conference Paper BibTeX citation key: Lovich2008 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Emydidae, Habitat = habitat, Kinosternidae, Kinosternon, Kinosternon sonoriense, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Trachemys, Trachemys scripta Creators: Casper, Drost, Lovich, Monatesti Collection: 6th World Congress of Herpetology |
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| Abstract |
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The Sonora mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense) ranges from Durango and Sonora, Mexico, north into Arizona and New Mexico, USA, reaching their northwestern distributional limit near Montezuma Well, Yavapai County, Arizona, USA. Montezuma Well, a natural and unpolluted wetland, is chemically-challenging to most aquatic organisms, devoid of fish, and rich in invertebrate endemism. Sonora mud turtles appear to thrive in the 0.8 ha wetland along with non-native red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans), the latter introduced from the Mississippi River Valley as unwanted pets. Although the primary purpose of our ongoing study is to examine possible competitive interactions between the two turtle species, we report preliminary results of the ecology of the Sonora mud turtle in the unique wetland and nearby Wet Beaver Creek. From May-September, 2007, 89 turtles were recaptured 128 times. We recaptured some individuals up to three times but males were much more likely to be recaptured than females. Trappability of males declined during the same period while female trappability remained relatively constant. The sex ratio was 59 males:30 females (1.97:1) not including four juveniles of unknown sex. Maximum male carapace length was 146 mm while that for females was 149 mm, markedly smaller than turtles in the Chiracahua Mountains. Activity decreased from April through August, ranging from 0 to over 12.4 observations per hour, despite relatively constant water temperatures. Lizard and snake species were noted in the diet in sharp contrast to most other turtles in the United States. The egg laying season ranges from May to at least September. Clutch size ranges from 1-8 eggs with a mean of 4.73 eggs and is not correlated with body size. The smallest gravid female had a carapace length of 125 mm and some females produce at least two clutches per year. The proportion of gravid female mud turtles gradually increased from about 60%-90% from May through July, decreasing thereafter. Hatchlings appear to overwinter in the nest, emerging with the onset of summer rain in the year following oviposition, after a long diapause in the egg.
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