Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
|
 |
|
Picard, G. (2008). Does thermal quality of the environment affect habitat selection by musk turtles (sternotherus odoratus)? Unpublished thesis , University of Ottawa.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (25 Jan 2011 10:32:07 UTC) |
| Resource type: Thesis/Dissertation BibTeX citation key: Picard2008 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat = habitat, Kinosternidae, Nordamerika = North America, Physiologie = physiology, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Sternotherus, Sternotherus odoratus Creators: Picard Publisher: University of Ottawa |
Views: 2/524
Views index: 10% Popularity index: 2.5% |
| Abstract |
|
Sternotherus odoratus In ectotherms, variation in body temperature (Tb) greatly affects physiological performance and, ultimately, fitness. Therefore, reptiles behaviourally regulate Tb by selectively choosing habitats of optimal temperature. In fact, this need to thermoregulate is thought to be the principal factor in habitat selection. The main goal of this study was to determine the link between patterns of thermoregulation and habitat selection by the musk turtle in a thermally challenging region where the link should be particularly strong. I expected habitat selection to be based on the fulfillment of thermoregulatory requirements, which can be accomplished by selecting thermally superior habitats. From early May to late August 2007, I located 22 musk turltes using temperature-sensitive radio-transmitters and collected daily Tb profiles using automated radio-telemetry data loggers. In addition, temperature data loggers were placed at a variety of locations in the study area to measure the complete range of environmental operative temperatures (Te) available to musks at all times. At the home range scale, the habitats with the highest thermal quality were the aquatic habitats with surface cover (i.e., lily pads, macrophytes, etc.) followed by shallow water, which also offered good opportunities to maintain Tb within preferred range were. As expected, musk turtles used habitats non-randomly and had a strong preference for the thermally superior habitats with surface cover. This is consistent with the typical aquatic basking behaviour observed in musk turtles, suggesting that there is a strong link between the thermal quality of habitats and habitat selection.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |