Literaturdatenbank
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Epperson, D. M., & Heise, C. D. (2003). Nesting and hatchling ecology of gopher tortoises (gopherus polyphemus) in southern mississippi. Journal of Herpetology, 37(2), 315–324.
Added by: Admin (14 Aug 2008 20:36:22 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Epperson2003 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Fortpflanzung = reproduction, Fressfeinde = predators, Gopherus, Gopherus polyphemus, Habitat = habitat, invasive Arten = invasive species, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae, Zeitigung = incubation Creators: Epperson, Heise Collection: Journal of Herpetology |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Gopherus polyphemus We investigated reproductive and hatchling ecology of Gopher Tortoises at Camp Shelby Training Site in southern Mississippi from 1997-2000. Data were collected on nesting, hatching success, hatchling survivorship, and hatchling movements. Nests were deposited between 19 May and 17 July, with a peak of nesting activity between 26 May and 8 June. Mean clutch size was 4.8; mean nest depth was 16 cm; mean distance of nests from a burrow mouth was 46 cm; and eggs in most nests were laid in one or two horizontal planes. Eggs hatched in an average of 88 days. Mean hatching success was 28.8%. We found no significant differences in hatching success, incubation time, and hatchling carapace length and mass, between ruderal and forested sites. Forty-eight hatchlings were radio-tracked to determine survivorship and activity patterns. Hatchlings were tracked for up to 736 days; however, most hatchlings (65%) were killed within 30 days of hatching. Survivorship of hatchlings was low, with only one hatchling still alive at day 736. Most mortality was attributed to mammals (54%), although predation by red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) was considerable (27%). Hatchlings that survived through their first overwintering period moved further from their nest sites than previously reported. Overall the tortoise poputlation had low recruitment rates, which likely influences demography at Camp Shelby.
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WIF
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