Literaturdatenbank
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Hrbek, T., & Dinkelacker, S. A. , Population demographics of the alligator snapping turtle (macrochelys temminckii): evidence for past exploitation and present recovery. Paper presented at Turtle Survival Alliance 2007 Annual Meeting.
Added by: Admin (13 Dec 2008 22:23:43 UTC) Last edited by: Beate Pfau (28 Mar 2009 07:45:00 UTC) |
| Resource type: Proceedings Article BibTeX citation key: Howey2007b View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Chelydridae, Habitat = habitat, Macrochelys, Macrochelys temminckii, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises Creators: Dinkelacker, Hrbek Collection: Turtle Survival Alliance 2007 Annual Meeting |
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| Abstract |
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Prior to gaining protection in 1993, alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) were an economically important species in Arkansas. However, data concerning basic demographic characteristics for the species are still largely unknown. Therefore, we initiated a mark-recapture study in 2005 to determine the status and potential recovery of a population suspected to have been previously exploited. Turtles were trapped in Cadron Creek, which is a slow-moving stream in central Arkansas. We marked each turtle and recorded morphometrics, mass, and age. Turtles were sexually dimorphic, with males reaching larger sizes. Size distribution of the population shows a noticeable lack of large adult turtles over the age of 25 y. In fact, most of the turtles have just reached sexual maturity (ca. 13 y; CL = 300 mm) within recent years. Sex ratios were female biased (1:6), and the ratio of adults to juveniles was 1.5:1.0. Collectively, our data suggest this population was previously exploited, but recovery is occurring. Thirteen years ago when harvest was prohibited, our age structure would have shown a noticeable lack of turtles over 12 y. Coincidentally, this is typically a sexually immature turtle and it is a smaller animal than would be normally kept by commercial trappers. The consequences of exploitation include a lack of old, large turtles and an abundance of females in the population. Future research should examine the genetic impacts of this altered population structure, as well as an examination of the impacts of incidental drowning due to trotlines.
Added by: Admin Last edited by: Beate Pfau |