Literaturdatenbank
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Ligon, D. B., Riedle, J. D., & Graves, K. , Alligator snapping turtle translocation: preliminary report. Paper presented at Turtle Survival Alliance 2007 Annual Meeting.
Added by: Admin (13 Dec 2008 22:23:45 UTC) |
| Resource type: Proceedings Article BibTeX citation key: Ligon2007a View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Chelydridae, Habitat = habitat, Macrochelys, Macrochelys temminckii, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises Creators: Graves, Ligon, Riedle Collection: Turtle Survival Alliance 2007 Annual Meeting |
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| Abstract |
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Although rarely feasible on a large scale, translocation of reproductively mature specimens is generally regarded as the optimal method for reestablishing extirpated turtle populations because it is the most efficient route to reestablishing a normal demographic distribution. Access to a large group of adult alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) arose following confiscation of a large, reproductively mature group from a commercial turtle breeder. Health assessments were conducted on a subset of turtles in March 2007, and in April 2007, 270 specimens were moved from an Arkansas fish hatchery to Oklahoma. The group was composed of 137 males, 113 females, and 20 juveniles of undetermined sex. Males averaged 17.8 kg (range = 4.6-47.6 kg), females averaged 12.2 kg (range = 4.0-25.0 kg), and turtles for which sex could not be determined averaged 6.3 kg (range = 3.6-9.3 kg). Body condition was similar among males, females, and juveniles, and compared favorably to that of wild-caught conspecifics. Thirty-three turtles (11 males, 22 females) were retained to establish captive breeding groups at Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery and the Tulsa Zoo, and 237 were released in the Washita River watershed in southern Oklahoma. Radio transmitters were attached to 16 turtles to monitor post-release survival and behavior, and trap-mark-recapture efforts were initiated to monitor the effects of reintroduction on the preexisting turtle community. Support for this research was provided by the Turtle Survival Alliance, DELTA Foundation, and Tulsa Zoo.
Added by: Admin |