Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Gibbons, J. W. (1970). Terrestrial activity and the population dynamics of aquatic turtles. American Midland Naturalist, 83, 404–414.
Added by: Admin (25 Aug 2008 20:39:11 UTC) Last edited by: Beate Pfau (07 Feb 2009 06:15:58 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Gibbons1970c View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat = habitat, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises Creators: Gibbons Collection: American Midland Naturalist |
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| Abstract |
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A method of measuring terrestrial activity in aquatic turtles is presented. The importance of this activity is indicated in considering some aspects of the population ecology of the species involved. Based on captures in terrestrial pitfall traps, up to 30% of the turtles inhabiting a Carolina bay in South Carolina traveled onto land during an eight-month period of study. This suggests that terrestrial activity may be very important in the population dynamics of aquatic turtles. The trapping method revealed a directional trend in emigrating individuals and a random movement by immigrants. Individuals of at least four species moved back and forth between contiguous aquatic areas. Terrestrial activity could not be correlated consistently with any single environmental factor. Initial activity in spring and cessation in autumn are presumably influenced by temperature. Rainfall apparently provoked terrestrial movement in autumn but not during other parts of the year.
Added by: Beate Pfau |