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Commercialization, Voodoo Ritual, and Use of the Endangered Hispaniolan Slider, Trachemys decorata, in Haiti: Implications for Conservation Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-06-15 Jeffey M. Paul, Lens J. Saint-Louis, Frank Cezilly
The Hispaniolan slider, Trachemys decorata (Barbour & Carr 1940), is a freshwater turtle of conservation interest, endemic to the island of Hispaniola. The species is currently threatened by habitat destruction, hybridization with invasive species, and commercial harvest. However, the consumption of the Hispaniolan slider by human populations has received little attention. During the winter of 2017–2018
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Experimental Designs for Tortoise Pacing Diversion Structures and Tortoise Guards Along Highway Barriers Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-05-31 Douglas E. Ruby, W. Bryan Jennings, Gilbert Goodlett, James R. Spotila, Henry R. Mushinsky
In a study to reduce Mojave Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) mortality along roadways, we tested the feasibility of structures that discourage tortoises from 1) walking or “pacing” along barriers or 2) crossing areas where gates or openings occur. The diversion designs we tested (one straight and one curved structure, each 7.6 m long) deflected tortoises away from fences at nearly the same rate
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Design of Roadway Barriers to Reduce Desert Tortoise Mortality on Paved Road Infrastructure Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-05-31 Douglas E. Ruby, W. Bryan Jennings, Gilbert Goodlett, James R. Spotila, Henry R. Mushinsky
We investigated methods for reducing highway-caused mortality of Mojave Desert Tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) using barriers at the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center, located near Las Vegas, Nevada. Experiments tested effectiveness of various barriers of different heights and made of different construction materials, sex-dependent behaviors including rate of escapes, appropriate height of a barrier
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Annotated Checklist of Nonmarine Turtles of Hainan Island, China Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-05-31 Rongping Bu, Jian Wang, Liu Lin, Jichao Wang, Fanrong Xiao, Hai-Tao Shi
In China, Hainan Island is a priority area for turtle conservation because of its biodiversity. Over the years, errors in turtle taxonomy and distribution have been made in the scientific literature, perpetuating into relevant laws and government documents and affecting conservation and management. In the present article, we describe the species of nonmarine turtles on Hainan Island, China, based on
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Demography and Viability of a Central Maine Population of Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-05-08 Matthew W.H. Chatfield, Gregory LeClair, Hunter J. Howell, Cheryl A. Frederick
The wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) is experiencing widespread declines throughout its range in the eastern United States and Canada. Maine has been considered a stronghold for the species due to an abundance of suitable upland and stream habitat. Furthermore, recent studies have identified Maine as a potentially important climate refuge for wood turtles. Using data collected in a 5-yr capture–mark–recapture
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Facultative Embryonic Diapause and a Transitional Stage Between Oviparity and Viviparity in the South African Tortoise Chersina angulata Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-03-21 Gerald Kuchling, Margaretha D. Hofmeyr
Chersina angulata females ovulate sequentially and oviposit multiple, mostly single egg clutches from early autumn (March) throughout winter and spring until early summer (December). No matter when eggs are laid, they usually hatch in autumn (March/April). Evidence based on circumstantial observations also demonstrates that wild and captive females occasionally retain the last clutch of the season
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Oviducal Period and Egg Shell Calcification in the South African Tortoise Chersina angulata Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-03-14 Margaretha D. Hofmeyr, Gerald Kuchling
Chersina angulata egg retention times differ among sequentially ovulated eggs from February to November, being shorter in eggs ovulated in October and November than in eggs ovulated in February, April, May, and July. More time is required to achieve eggshell calcification from July to October than from March to June. In most instances (71%) females lay their eggs when the eggshell still appears relatively
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Camera Traps Provide First Insights into the Nesting Behavior of the Critically Endangered Northern River Terrapin (Batagur baska) Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-03-14 Astrid Dedieu, Nicola Scherzer, Thomas Paumann, A.G.J. Morshed, Anton Weissenbacher, Christian Walzer, Doris Preininger
Camera traps are very useful tools in determining the presence/absence of rare and cryptic species while shedding light on behavioral traits. Passive infrared triggered cameras are routinely used in homeothermic animals, but in ectothermic reptiles, this surveillance method has proven highly unreliable. As part of the conservation goal to provide better understanding and protection for the critically
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Shell Dimensions in a Population of Karoo Dwarf Tortoises, Chersobius boulengeri Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-03-14 Victor J.T. Loehr, Toby Keswick
Robust morphological data are key to systematic and ecomorphological studies, but Karoo dwarf tortoises (Chersobius boulengeri) are difficult to sample due to scarcity and secretive behavior, resulting in scant published recordings of shell dimensions based on data gathered at many locations over many years. We sampled, for the first time, a single population of Karoo dwarf tortoises in 2018–2020 and
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A New South American Freshwater Turtle of the Genus Mesoclemmys from the Brazilian Amazon (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-14 Fábio A.G. Cunha, Iracilda Sampaio, Jeferson Carneiro, Richard C. Vogt, Russell A. Mittermeier, Anders G.J. Rhodin, Marcelo C. Andrade
We describe a new species of small chelid turtle from perennial streams in the Araguaia River subbasin near Serra das Andorinhas State Park, São Geraldo do Araguaia, Pará, Brazil. It is morphologically distinct and the smallest known member of the genus Mesoclemmys, with an average straight-line carapace length (CL) of 144 mm and maximum recorded CL of 170 mm. The species has a moderate head width
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Thirty-Eight Years of Loggerhead Turtle Nesting in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, Greece: A Review Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-09 Dimitris Margaritoulis, Gonçalo Lourenço, Thomas E. Riggall, Alan F. Rees
Here we present 38 yrs of nesting data of the loggerhead population in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, Greece, adding data for 2010–2021 to existing published data for 1984–2009. This rookery, encompassing 6 discrete beaches of 5.5 km total length, features the highest nesting density in the Mediterranean. The annual nest numbers, ranging from 667 to 2018, showed no significant long-term trend. Beach nesting
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Climate-Mediated Recruitment Failure in a Turtle Population and Its Bearing on Northern Limits of Distribution Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-09 John B. Iverson
The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in June 1991 reduced global temperatures over the following 2 yrs. The greatest suppression (apart from Antarctica) was centered in the northern Great Plains of North America, directly over my long-term turtle study site. Temperatures at that site in 1992 and 1993 were the coldest in at least 50 yrs. Normal annual hatchling recruitment of yellow mud
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Inferred Impacts of Extreme Environments on Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) Body Size and Reproductive Output Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-09 Asghar Mobaraki, Andrea D. Phillott, Malihe Erfani, Meysam Ghasemi, Hossein Jafari
This study presents the first published data on the morphometrics of nesting hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and their eggs and counts of yolked and yolkless eggs per clutch from Iranian Islands in the northern Persian Gulf. We found significant variation in some variables among 4 main nesting islands (e.g., weight of yolked eggs, p = 0.000; number of yolkless eggs per clutch, p = 0.017)
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Diet and Isotopic Niche of the Rio Grande Cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) and Syntopic Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) in San Felipe Creek, Texas, USA Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-09 Lawrence G. Bassett, Ivana Mali, Weston H. Nowlin, Daniel H. Foley, Michael R.J. Forstner
The Rio Grande cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) is an imperiled freshwater turtle native to the southwestern United States and northeastern Mexico. Previous studies investigating P. gorzugi diet have focused on the population occupying the Black River drainage in southeastern New Mexico, while Texas populations have remained unexamined. During the summer and fall of 2020, we studied the dietary habits of
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A Survey of Reeves' Turtle (Mauremys reevesii) in Qichun County, Hubei Province, China Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-09 Rongping Bu, Zihao Ye, Fanrong Xiao, Hai-Tao Shi
Reeves' turtle (Mauremys reevesii) originated in China and was once one of the most widely distributed and abundant hard-shelled turtles in China; however, overharvesting has led to a sharp decline in its wild populations. A survey of Reeves' turtle was conducted from July 2021 to March 2022 in Qichun County, Hubei Province, China. A total of 74 individuals were caught in 26 ponds (1078 trap-days)
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Reproductive Characteristics of Rio Grande Cooters (Pseudemys gorzugi) in Western Texas Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-09 Austin M.A. Bohannon, Lawrence G. Bassett, Shashwat Sirsi, Andrew R. MacLaren, Daniel H. Foley, Sarah R. Fritts, Laura R. Pharr, Michael R.J. Forstner
Testudines is a reptilian order characterized by low annual recruitment and delayed sexual maturity. One testudine species of conservation concern is the Rio Grande cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi), a taxon native to the southwestern United States and the westernmost species in this genus. A clear understanding of the reproductive biology of turtle species in the wild better informs conservation management
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Determining Nest Site Selection by Hawksbill Sea Turtles in the Persian Gulf Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-09 Zohreh Nasiri, Mehdi Gholamalifard, Seyed Mahmoud Ghasempouri
Nest site selection is an important aspect of reproductive behavior in sea turtles, and it is influenced by biotic and abiotic beach characteristics. To date, the association between nesting beach characteristics and nest site selection has been explored manually at small scales; yet, hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) nest on a variety of beaches, with knowledge remaining limited on preferred
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How to Reduce the Risk of Predation of Green Turtle Nests by Nile Monitors Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-09 Manuel Sá Sampaio, Rui Rebelo, Aissa Regalla, Castro Barbosa, Paulo Catry
Predation of nests and hatchlings can significantly reduce sea turtle reproductive output. On Cavalos island, João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park, Bijagos archipelago, Guinea-Bissau, one of the primary threats to green turtle nests is predation by Nile monitors (Varanus niloticus). In this study, we tested 3 different nest protection techniques—disguising scent cues, disguising visual cues
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Livestock Ponds as Long-Term Habitat for Southwestern Pond Turtles (Actinemys pallida) in Rangeland Landscapes Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-09 Billy Tu, Lynne Trulio
The southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida), a chelonian species declining in California, depends on aquatic habitats for its survival. This study examined the extent to which the southwestern pond turtle used livestock ponds in rangeland habitat in eastern Santa Clara County, California, and the importance of key habitat features as factors in the presence of turtles in livestock ponds. We found
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Diet and Habitat of the Scorpion Mud Turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides) in the Southern Limit of the Species' Distribution (Argentina) Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-02 María Julia Cassano, Leandro Alcalde
In this study we describe some ecological features of Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides from a section of the Argentina's Chaco ecoregion encompassing the provinces of Salta, Chaco, and Formosa, including the description of the capture sites and an analysis of the feeding ecology of the species. Six field trips were made during the spring and summer months from 2016 to 2020. We captured 23 turtles:
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Loss of Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin pileata) Nesting Habitat in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-02 Andrew J. Heaton, Michael J. Archer, Christina Mohrman, Jonathan L. Pitchford
Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) are a species of turtle that occupy coastal tidal marshes and nest on sandy areas above the high-tide line. Within the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi diamondback terrapin (M. t. pileata) shoreline nesting habitat at Grand Battures (also known as South Rigolets Island) has decreased from a 2.34-km length of surveyable shoreline
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Fecundity, Female Maturation, and Nesting Season of Western Chicken Turtles (Deirochelys reticularia miaria) in Texas Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-10-31 Brandon C. Bowers, Rachel L. Hibbitts, Toby J. Hibbitts, Danielle K. Walkup, Wade A. Ryberg, Roel R. Lopez, Paul S. Crump
The reproductive lifespans of turtles are consistently long, but reproductive cycles are under environmental control and thus can vary within species, populations, and individuals over time and space. Knowledge of turtle species' reproductive traits and their associated variances over time and space are critical to understanding the dynamics of turtle populations, especially those requiring management
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Experimental Analysis of Wavelength Preferences Shown by Hatchling Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-10-26 Samantha E. Trail, Michael Salmon
In marine turtles it is well established that the shorter light wavelengths in the visible and near-ultraviolet spectrum provide more potent, and preferred, cues for nocturnal seafinding orientation than the longer light wavelengths. In this study, we simultaneously presented leatherback hatchlings (Dermochelys coriacea) with a short near-ultraviolet (380 nm) and a longer visible (500 nm) light stimulus
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Reproductive Phenology and Output in Florida Box Turtles (Terrapene bauri) in Southwestern Florida Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-10-14 Jordan Donini, Rebecca Speer, John Morton
Box turtle (Terrapene spp.) reproduction has been relatively well studied in northern populations inhabiting more seasonal climates but is much less understood in the subtropics. We assessed female reproduction of T. bauri in southwestern Florida by quantifying courtship, mating, seasonal timing of nesting, clutch frequency, and clutch size. Box turtles were observed courting or mating in 10 out of
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Population Status of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis) in the Suwannee River, Florida Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-21 Travis M. Thomas, Kevin M. Enge, Eric Suarez, Gerald R. Johnston
Freshwater megafauna populations, which are declining worldwide, are well known but often overlooked and understudied compared with marine and terrestrial megafauna. One species of freshwater megafauna is the Suwannee alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis), which is endemic to the Suwannee River drainage in Georgia and Florida. Several trapping studies have examined M. suwanniensis distribution
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Juvenile Hawksbill Turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata, in the Jardines de la Reina Archipelago, Cuba Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-21 Félix Moncada, Ohiana Revuelta, Gonzalo Nodarse, Yosvani Medina, Anyell Caderno
Immature hawksbill turtles were studied in Jardines de la Reina Archipelago, the principal area of distribution for this species in Cuban waters. Hawksbill areas of occurrence, size composition, scope of movement range, and somatic growth rates are presented. A total of 496 individuals were caught while diving or with nets at depths of 0.5–2.5 m. Differences in size distribution were observed among
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Comparing Life Histories of the Shortest-Lived Turtle Known (Chicken Turtles, Deirochelys reticularia) with Long-Lived Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-21 Justin D. Congdon, Kurt A. Buhlmann, J. Whitfield Gibbons
Evolutionary theories predict major differences in life-history trait values of long- and short-lived organisms. Such comparisons have not been possible for chelonians because no short-lived turtle was known until research revealed that chicken turtles (Deirochelys reticularia; DR) have a maximum longevity of 21 yrs. Life-history trait values of DR females are 1) age at maturity of females = 5–6 yrs;
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Diet of Dermatemys mawii, an Aquatic Turtle That Relies Heavily on Terrestrial Vegetation Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-21 Nichole D. Bishop, John Polisar, Peter J. Eliazar, Raymond R. Carthy, Karen A. Bjorndal
Dermatemys mawii is a critically endangered freshwater turtle endemic to Central America. In the wild, these turtles are thought to be wholly herbivorous as adults and feed on a variety of vegetation; however, no studies have quantitatively assessed potential dietary differences based on biotic and abiotic factors. The purpose of our study was to describe and quantify the wild diet of D. mawii and
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Characterizing Sea Turtle Bycatch in the Recreational Hook and Line Fishery in Southeastern Virginia, USA Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-21 Sarah A. Rose, Erin B. Bates, Allyson N. McNaughton, Kathryn J. O'Hara, Susan G. Barco
Although commercial hook and line fisheries pose a well-documented and significant threat to worldwide sea turtle populations, recreational hook and line fisheries remain understudied. This article describes information from sea turtle bycatch reported from interactions in the recreational hook and line fishery, as well as survey results from recreational anglers in Virginia from 2014 through 2018
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Nesting Refuge Structures Are Ineffective at Protecting Bell's Turtle (Myuchelys bellii) Nests from Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Depredation Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-21 Geoffrey N. Hughes, Adrienne Burns, Paul G. McDonald
Invasive red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are a serious conservation issue for Australia's freshwater turtle species, including the endangered Bell's turtle (Myuchelys bellii). As many as 96% of Australian freshwater turtle nests may be depredated in a season by foxes. Current methods of turtle nest protection rely on early detection of nesting activity, followed by nest-specific structures to prevent predation
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Genetic Stock Structure and Differentiation of Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas, Rookeries on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-21 Emma A. Schultz, Erin L. LaCasella, Kemit-Amon Lewis, Dionne L. Hoskins-Brown, Peter H. Dutton
Currently, the genetic population structure of only 3 green turtle, Chelonia mydas, rookeries is used to categorize the Eastern Caribbean grouping of the South Atlantic distinct population segment. Tissue samples were collected from 66 nesting green turtles on the East End beaches of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands from 2012 to 2015, and we sequenced ∼ 800 base pairs of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control
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Divergent Size-Class Distributions of Gopher Tortoise Burrows in Scrub and Flatwoods Habitats of Peninsular Florida Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-21 Traci D. Castellón, Betsie B. Rothermel, Jennifer L. Beck, Jessica L. Fort, Kelly M. O'Connor
In the southern half of peninsular Florida, where longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) sandhill communities are scarce, gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) primarily occupy mesic flatwoods and Florida scrub habitats that appear suboptimal due to poorly drained soils in flatwoods and low forage abundance in scrub. Tortoise populations persist in these habitats, but their demography is poorly understood
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Characterization of Microsatellite Loci for the Alligator Snapping Turtle and Cross-Amplification in Two Chelydrid Species Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-21 Luke Pearson, Brian R. Kreiser, Carl P. Qualls
The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) has been proposed as a Threatened species under the US Endangered Species Act and is considered Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. To provide additional markers for conservation genetic studies, we identified 60 potential microsatellite loci, with 38 being polymorphic in M. temminckii, as well as successful cross-amplification
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Veterinary Observations and Biological Specimen Use after a Massive Confiscation of Palawan Forest Turtles (Siebenrockiella leytensis) Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-20 Charles J. Innis, Kenneth Conley, Paul Gibbons, Nicole I. Stacy, Heather D.S. Walden, Paolo Martelli, Sonja Luz, Karthiyani Krishnasamy, Cris Hagen, John Sykes, Diverlie Acosta, Kyle Tabug, Matthew O'Connor, Vicente Vergara Wilson, James Liu, Czaba Géczy, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, Ihsaan Sebro, Sheena Koeth, S. Mariah Lancaster, Alessandro Grioni, Sandra Schneider, Olivia Vandersanden, Thomas Owens, Andrew
In 2015, nearly 4000 critically endangered Palawan forest turtles (Siebenrockiella leytensis) were confiscated on their native island of Palawan in the Philippines after being illegally harvested for the international wildlife trade. Local conservation biologists and an international team of veterinary and husbandry personnel evaluated, treated, and repatriated the majority of turtles (88%) over a
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Point of No Return: Determining Depth at Which Sea Turtle Carcasses Experience Constant Submergence Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-20 Emma A. Schultz, Melissa Cook, Redwood W. Nero, Ryan J. Caillouet, Jaymie L. Reneker, James E. Barbour, Zhankun Wang, Brian A. Stacy
At-sea mortality information is important for understanding the magnitude of threats to protected sea turtle species. When a sea turtle dies, it typically sinks, starts decomposing, and will eventually float to the surface if the carcass remains intact and enough internal gases accumulate. However, few data are available regarding the rate and duration of these processes to allow estimation of time
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On the Occurrence of the Khorat Snail-Eating Turtle (Malayemys khoratensis) in Lao People's Democratic Republic with Notes on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Exploitation Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-13 Steven G. Platt, Oudomxay Thongsavath, Samuel C. Leslie, Peter Brakels, Jeffery E. Dawson, Flora Ihlow, Thomas R. Rainwater
The Khorat snail-eating turtle (Malayemys khoratensis) is a recently described (2016), poorly studied freshwater turtle known from the Khorat Plateau in Thailand and a small area near Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic. We investigated the occurrence and natural history of M. khoratensis during field surveys of Xe Champhone Ramsar Site (XCRS) and Nong Louang Wetland Complex (NLWC) in Savannakhet
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Historical Trends in New York State Cold-Stunned Sea Turtle Stranding-to-Release: 1998–2019 Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-13 Maxine A. Montello, Katie D. Goulder, Robert P. Pisciotta, Wendy J. McFarlane
Long Island Sound and the Great Peconic Bay (New York) contain southern barrier lagoons and eastern bays and are known habitats for foraging juvenile populations of sea turtles during summer months. Every year, sea turtles strand throughout these areas due to climate-related cold snaps that typically occur in the late fall and lead to cold-stunning, a physiological temperature shock similar to hypothermia
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Echoanatomical Features of the Major Cervical Blood Vessels of the Juvenile Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-13 André Augusto Justo, Gustavo Henrique Pereira Dutra, Angélica Alfonso, Gabriel Oliveira Silva, Fabio Celidonio Pogliani, Adriano Bonfim Carregaro, Silvia Renata Gaido Cortopassi
Although ultrasonographic examination of the blood vessels of sea turtles has been a helpful tool in the clinical setting, there is a paucity of data on the normal cervical echoanatomy of green turtles (Chelonia mydas); such information could be valuable for conservation-focused efforts at rehabilitation facilities. We studied the echoanatomical features of the major blood vessels of the neck of juvenile
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Records of Olive Ridley Marine Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea Eschscholtz 1829) in Venezuelan Waters: A Review of Historical Data Sets and Threats Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-13 Héctor Barrios-Garrido, Angela Arias-Ortiz, Clemente Balladares, Nínive Espinoza-Rodríguez, Marco García-Cruz, María F. González, Graciela Pulido-Petit, Daniela Rojas-Cañizales, María Rondon-Medicci, Pedro Vernet, Natalie E. Wildermann
We assess all the records of olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) in an exhaustive review of multiple data sources between 1977 and 2018 in Venezuela. We compiled 35 records of olive ridleys in the country. Our findings confirm the almost year-round presence of this species in Venezuelan waters.
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A New Species of Amazon Freshwater Toad-Headed Turtle in the Genus Mesoclemmys (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from Brazil Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-11-29 Fábio A.G. Cunha, Iracilda Sampaio, Jeferson Carneiro, Richard C. Vogt
We describe a new extant species of freshwater turtle from Brazil: Mesoclemmys sp. nov., a medium-sized toad-headed turtle (mean carapace length = 189.5 ± 25.8 mm), which to date has only been found in the Brazilian Amazon Basin, western Pará State, Central Amazon, and the lower Amazonas River Basin. It is easily distinguished from its sympatric congeners by differences in body size, head size, carapace
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Evidence for Synchronous Hatching in Marine Turtle (Caretta caretta) Embryos and Its Influence on the Timing of Nest Emergence Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-11-01 Angela Field, Jessica K. McGlashan, Michael Salmon
The goal of this study was to determine whether marine turtle (loggerhead) embryos communicate with one another using mechanical cues detected through the flexible egg shell. In the process, the embryos might develop faster and hatch with greater synchrony (as occurs in some freshwater turtles). To find out, we performed experiments under controlled laboratory conditions to determine how changes in
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Distribution and Relative Abundance of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis) Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-10-20 Kevin M. Enge, Dirk J. Stevenson, Travis M. Thomas, Gerald R. Johnston, John B. Jensen, Benjamin S. Stegenga, Houston C. Chandler, Paul E. Moler
The Suwannee alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis) was first described in 2014. The species is thought to occur in blackwater and spring-fed streams of sufficient size throughout the Suwannee River drainage, but we have limited detailed information regarding its range. To clarify the distribution of M. suwanniensis, we compiled 111 museum, 16 literature, and 40 other credible records
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Wildfire, Depredation, and Synergistic Management Challenges Contribute to the Decline of a Significant Population of Florida Box Turtles (Terrapene bauri) Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-12-02 Michael T. Jones, Lisabeth L. Willey, Jonathan D. Mays, C. Kenneth Dodd
The Florida box turtle (Terrapene bauri) population on Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, was the subject of long-term ecological studies from 1991 to 2006. The Egmont Key population was relatively large and stable compared with other populations of Terrapene spp. that were studied for multiple decades, with an increasing population trend and approximately 1500 turtles in 2002. We conducted
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Fishers' Ecological Knowledge About Sea Turtles in Coastal Waters: A Case Study in Vengurla, India Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-12-02 Andrea D. Phillott, Paloma Chandrachud
Five species of sea turtle—the green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)—feed in the coastal waters of India, nest on the mainland and island beaches, and are an important component of India's natural and sociocultural heritage. Sea turtles spend most of their life cycle at sea
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On the Brink of Extinction: Results of a 20-Year Quest for Eiselt's Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis eiselti) in Southeastern Turkey Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-11-01 Dinçer Ayaz, Yusuf Bayrakci, Kerim Çiçek, Flora Ihlow, Cemal Varol Tok, Uwe Fritz
Eiselt's pond turtle (Emys orbicularis eiselti) was described in 1998, based on only 4 museum specimens collected in the 1960s and 1970s. Its distribution range has been massively reduced by large-scale drainage measures and only little suitable habitat remains near the Turkish–Syrian border. During 20-yr-long fieldwork we could locate only 18 individuals of this subspecies. We estimate the number
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Home Range, Site Fidelity, and Movement Patterns of the Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) at the Southwestern Edge of Its Range Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-11-03 Joshua G. Otten, Austin C. Hulbert, Samuel W. Berg, Jeffrey W. Tamplin
Wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) are considered rare or threatened throughout their range. Populations in Iowa occur at the western periphery of the species' range and may be particularly vulnerable to extirpation due to low population density, geographic isolation with restricted opportunities for gene flow, a small range, and a high percentage of land that has been converted for agriculture. To
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Influence of Sandy Coast Vegetation on the Reproductive Success of Green Turtles at Cuban Nesting Beaches Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-11-03 Claudia Cabrera Guerra, Julia Azanza Ricardo, Ryan Betancourt Ávila, Fernando Bretos, Pedro Pérez Álvarez
Vegetation has been shown to influence nest environment (temperature, humidity), affecting hatchling's development as well as emergence success, and has also been used as a cue during the selection of a nesting site. For green turtles, Chelonia mydas, nest density is typically higher in the vegetated zones. This study evaluated the influence of vegetation presence and percent cover on the nesting success
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Sea Turtle Nesting Activity in Ghana, West Africa Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-11-01 Andrews Agyekumhene, Prince Yankson, Leyna Stemle, Phil Allman
The recovery of depleted sea turtle populations will require careful documentation of sea turtle reproduction sites and anthropogenic mortality risks throughout their known ranges. Although sea turtle nesting is well documented in many locations, there remains a paucity of data on the species and nesting ecology in western Africa. Here we provide the first longitudinal study of sea turtle nesting activity
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Movement Ecology of the Imperiled Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) in a Lower Hudson River Watershed Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-12-02 Jason S. Hagani, Suzanne K. Macey, John D. Foley, Chad L. Seewagen
Knowledge of the spatial ecology of many turtle species is lacking or limited by small sample sizes of study animals, short study periods, or incomplete representation of the species' geographic range, all of which can present barriers to science-based management and conservation. The wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) is a declining North American freshwater turtle that is now listed as threatened
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Nesting Activity of the Chinese Softshell Turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, on the Yellow River, Northwestern China Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-12-03 Qingjun Zhu, Fei Kong, Haitao Shi
The nesting activity of the Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) in its natural habitat is largely undocumented despite its broad geographical distribution across East Asia. Here, we report on female nesting behaviors, egg incubation, and hatchling emergence of P. sinensis on the Yellow River in northwestern China. In this region, the turtle is currently threatened by overharvesting, and
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Novel Use of Anchialine Ponds by Hawksbill Turtles in The Bahamas Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-10-29 Nathan J. Robinson, Robert Ditter, John Campion, Eric S. Cole
We present 4 observations of hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata found in anchialine ponds on 3 islands in The Bahamas. These ponds had no surface connection to the ocean, but they were connected by subterranean conduits that, in at least one instance, extended over 1.5 km in length. It is possible that the turtles were placed in these ponds by humans; however, it appears more likely that they
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Healing of Skin Biopsies in Wild Juvenile Green Turtles, Chelonia mydas Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-11-08 Laura C. St. Andrews, Sebastian Hoefer, Liberty Boyd, Frank V. Paladino, Nathan J. Robinson
Skin biopsies are routinely collected from sea turtles for a variety of molecular analyses; however, almost no information exists on the natural healing rates at the site of the biopsy. Here, we monitored the healing rates of 17 juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) for up to 488 d after we took a 6-mm biopsy tissue sample in Eleuthera, The Bahamas. Although scarring persisted for several months
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Interactions Among Hawaiian Hawksbills Suggest Prevalence of Social Behaviors in Marine Turtles Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-10-07 Alexander R. Gaos, Corinne E. Johnson, Don B. McLeish, Cheryl S. King, Jesse F. Senko
Social behaviors represent a central tenet of ecology and evolutionary biology, but remain widely undocumented in reptiles. Although marine turtles have been studied for decades, the prevalence, importance, and potential role of social behaviors have been largely overlooked. Consequently, marine turtles have predominantly been characterized as nonsocial animals in the literature. Here we report on
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Population Size and Structure of the Ornate Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin macrospilota) on Small Gulf Coast Islands in Florida Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-09-09 Eric Suarez, Travis M. Thomas, William M. Turner, Ryan L. Gandy, Kevin M. Enge, Steve A. Johnson
Management decisions for species are often based on estimates of abundance, which can be difficult to obtain for species that are a challenge to survey, as are some reptiles. Information on abundance and population status are lacking for the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), a coastal species that inhabits brackish waters and plays an important trophic role in the saltmarsh ecosystem. Population
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Population Structure of the Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera) in Five Montana Rivers Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-09-03 Kayhan Ostovar, Gabriel Wolff, David Dockery, Ulrich Hoensch, Mike Ruggles, Andrhea Massey, Reece Robinett, Earl Radonski
To conserve or restore riverine turtles, managers need baseline information on subpopulation structure and abundance in multiple rivers across large geographic areas. Assessing the demographics and morphological characteristics of different subpopulations can increase our understanding of how anthropogenic factors influence mortality and reproduction. We examined spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera)
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Prevalence of Leeches and Algae on Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) in Four Created Ponds in Central Ohio: Effects of Pond, Sex, and Age Class Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-08-26 Wesley O. Smith, Jessica E. Rettig, Logan E. Smith, Geoffrey R. Smith
We examined the prevalence (% of turtles examined) of leeches (Placobdella parasitica) and algae (likely Arnoldiella sp.) on Chrysemys picta found in 4 recently created ponds in central Ohio. Chrysemys picta in ponds with fish were less likely to have leeches and more likely to have algae than those in ponds without fish. Across all ponds, males and females did not differ in leech or algal prevalence
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Home Ranges and Movement Patterns of the Chinese Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) in the Yellow River, Northwestern China Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-05-13 Fei Kong, Qingjun Zhu, Fanrong Xiao, Zhen Hong, Hongxing Zhang, Haitao Shi
A detailed understanding of the spatial ecology and habitat requirements of endangered species is critical for population restoration and conservation. Home ranges and movements of the endangered Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) were investigated in the Yellow River, northwestern China, from October 2016 to July 2018. We monitored 9 adult turtles (5 females and 4 males) with radio transmitters
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Wide-Scale Population Connectivity Revealed by Postnesting Migrations of Green Sea Turtles from Ras Al Hadd, Oman Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-06-04 Nicolas James Pilcher, Marina A. Antonopoulou, Clara Jimena Rodriguez-Zarate, Thuraya Said Al-Sareeria, Robert Baldwin, Andrew Willson, Maïa Sarrouf Willson
There is limited information on postnesting dispersal of green turtles Chelonia mydas from nesting sites in the Arabian region. Understanding habitat connectivity can promote effective conservation programs across a wider range of critical sea turtle habitats. We present postnesting migration data for 9 green turtles departing from Ras Al Hadd in Oman, one of the largest and most important nesting
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Population Ecology and Morphology of the Central Chiapas Mud Turtle (Kinosternon abaxillare) Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-05-13 Eduardo Reyes-Grajales, Rodrigo Macip-Ríos, John B. Iverson, Wilfredo A. Matamoros
The Central Chiapas Mud Turtle (Kinosternon abaxillare) is one of the least-studied turtles in Mexico. It is considered a microendemic, with a limited distribution in the Central Depression of Chiapas. In this article, we summarize its population ecology and provide a new assessment of its morphology from Villa Hidalgo, Chiapas, Mexico. We captured 168 individuals with 64 recaptures (232 total captures)
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Seed Consumption by Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in the Globally Imperiled Pine Rockland Ecosystem of Southern Florida, USA Chelonian Conserv. Biol. (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-05-24 Adrian Figueroa, James Lange, Steven M. Whitfield
Turtles have been identified as key dispersers of seeds in many ecosystems; however, seed dispersal by turtles (chelonochory) has received far less attention than seed dispersal by birds or mammals. We assessed the role of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)—a keystone species—as potential seed dispersers by analyzing the seed composition of their diet in a globally imperiled ecosystem: the pine