Movement and ecology of eastern box and painted turtles repatriated to human-created habitat.
Item
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Title
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Movement and ecology of eastern box and painted turtles repatriated to human-created habitat.
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Identifier
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AAI9630452
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identifier
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9630452
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Creator
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Cook, Robert Peter.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Max K. Hecht
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Date
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1996
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Biology, Ecology | Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife | Biology, Zoology
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Abstract
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The feasibility of repatriation to conserve and restore populations of eastern box turtle (Terrapene c. carolina) and painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) was studied at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn NY. The 579 ha site was originally salt marsh filled in to construct an airport. It contains habitats such as grassland, shrub thickets, woodlands, and stands dominated by giant reed (Phragmites australis).;Eastern box and painted turtles were collected and released after data on size, weight, age, and sex were recorded. In 1990, 55 painted turtles were released into a 0.3 ha pond created in 1989. These individuals were monitored through 1993. From 1987 to 1990, 335 box turtles were released into developing woodlands. Fifty three were radio-tagged and monitored for up to seven years. Additional data were obtained by active search and use of a Labrador retriever.;Recapture rates of C. picta ranged from 88 to 98% annually, indicating they remained at the release pond and had high survival. Growth varied by sex and age, and fecundity was estimated at 11.73 eggs/adult female/year. Rates for these parameters were comparable to non-repatriated populations. Though variable, T. carolina tended to disperse homeward. Of the 53 radio-tagged individuals, 13 (24.6%) left the site, 25 (47.2%) established home ranges, and 15 (28.3%) died before sufficient data were collected. Most individuals tracked long term established home ranges within a kilometer of the release point. Some may disperse greater distances. Of the 25 that established home ranges, 17 (68%) did so in the release year, two (8%) in outyear #1, three (12%) in outyear #2, and three (12%) in outyear #3.;These generally positive results were mitigated by low rates of survival. Annualized survival of T. carolina for five years post-release was 71%, with lowest survival in the first two years. Principal causes of "mortality" were dispersal and pneumonia, both of which were greatest initially, plus winter kill, a random event. Annualized survival for the final three years was 84%. Patterns of growth, home range size, activity, habitat use, reproductive output, and production of young were generally comparable to non-repatriated populations.;Results indicate that C. picta may be easily repatriated, but T. carolina is more difficult. Assuming a circular shape, release sites for T. carolina need to be at least 300 ha of mostly woody habitat to retain most individuals. Initial mortality may be relatively high. Data suggest a population is in the process of becoming established, but ultimate conclusions will require follow-up in another 20-30 years.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
