Seth LaGrange, E. Kessler, Zhuang Li, Flavio Morrissiey, Mark Merchant
Abstract - Understanding feeding performance can inform feeding ecology and niche dynamics. Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle) and Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle) are closely related, sympatric species with documented interactions. To understand ontogenetic and interspecific differences in bite performance, we measured bite force in an ontogenetic series of 62 Alligator Snapping Turtles and 33 Common Snapping Turtles. Within species, bite force positively correlated with size but scaled differently by species. Alligator Snapping Turtles produced higher maximum bite forces overall throughout ontogeny than Common Snapping Turtles, although Alligator Snapping Turtles reach significantly larger maximum sizes than Common Snapping Turtles, thereby enabling them to produce higher maximum bite forces. Differences in bite force between these species provide biomechanical context for distinctions in the ecologies of both species.
{"title":"Bite-Force Scaling across Size Classes in the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) and the Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)","authors":"Seth LaGrange, E. Kessler, Zhuang Li, Flavio Morrissiey, Mark Merchant","doi":"10.1656/058.022.0sp1228","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1656/058.022.0sp1228","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract - Understanding feeding performance can inform feeding ecology and niche dynamics. Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle) and Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle) are closely related, sympatric species with documented interactions. To understand ontogenetic and interspecific differences in bite performance, we measured bite force in an ontogenetic series of 62 Alligator Snapping Turtles and 33 Common Snapping Turtles. Within species, bite force positively correlated with size but scaled differently by species. Alligator Snapping Turtles produced higher maximum bite forces overall throughout ontogeny than Common Snapping Turtles, although Alligator Snapping Turtles reach significantly larger maximum sizes than Common Snapping Turtles, thereby enabling them to produce higher maximum bite forces. Differences in bite force between these species provide biomechanical context for distinctions in the ecologies of both species.","PeriodicalId":49490,"journal":{"name":"Southeastern Naturalist","volume":"14 40 1","pages":"440 - 456"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80239004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Travis M. Thomas, Kevin M. Enge, E. Suarez, S. Barry, Steve A. Johnson
Abstract - Geological processes influence water chemistry and biological productivity along the Suwannee River and divide the mainstem of the river into 6 distinct ecological reaches (ERs) in Florida. Because of these distinctions, we hypothesized that the Macrochelys suwanniensis (Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle) population varies among ERs. During 2011–2013, we sampled two 5-km sites in each ER to investigate spatial variation in relative abundance, sex ratio, size-class distribution, and body size of M. suwanniensis. Capture rates and male body sizes were greater in the middle ERs than in the upstream and downstream ERs. Sex ratios were male-skewed only in the middle ERs. Additional research is needed to understand the ecological drivers of M. suwanniensis population dynamics in this river.
{"title":"Variation in Relative Abundance, Population Structure, and Body Size of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis) in the Suwannee River","authors":"Travis M. Thomas, Kevin M. Enge, E. Suarez, S. Barry, Steve A. Johnson","doi":"10.1656/058.022.0sp1216","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1656/058.022.0sp1216","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract - Geological processes influence water chemistry and biological productivity along the Suwannee River and divide the mainstem of the river into 6 distinct ecological reaches (ERs) in Florida. Because of these distinctions, we hypothesized that the Macrochelys suwanniensis (Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle) population varies among ERs. During 2011–2013, we sampled two 5-km sites in each ER to investigate spatial variation in relative abundance, sex ratio, size-class distribution, and body size of M. suwanniensis. Capture rates and male body sizes were greater in the middle ERs than in the upstream and downstream ERs. Sex ratios were male-skewed only in the middle ERs. Additional research is needed to understand the ecological drivers of M. suwanniensis population dynamics in this river.","PeriodicalId":49490,"journal":{"name":"Southeastern Naturalist","volume":"15 1","pages":"264 - 274"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81473460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Benjamin S. Stegenga, Dirk J. Stevenson, Houston C Chandler
Abstract - Macrochelys suwanniensis (Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle) is restricted to the Suwannee River drainage in Florida and Georgia. Over the last century, there have been scattered reports in the published and gray literature of M. suwanniensis sightings from the Okefenokee Swamp. This large wetland straddles the Georgia–Florida border and serves as the headwaters of the Suwannee River. Here, we discuss historic records of M. suwanniensis within the Okefenokee Swamp, provide details of recent sightings (2000–2021), including an extension of the known distribution to the northern portion of the swamp, and discuss the conservation and management implications of these observations.
{"title":"Observations of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle from the Okefenokee Swamp","authors":"Benjamin S. Stegenga, Dirk J. Stevenson, Houston C Chandler","doi":"10.1656/058.022.0sp1204","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1656/058.022.0sp1204","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract - Macrochelys suwanniensis (Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle) is restricted to the Suwannee River drainage in Florida and Georgia. Over the last century, there have been scattered reports in the published and gray literature of M. suwanniensis sightings from the Okefenokee Swamp. This large wetland straddles the Georgia–Florida border and serves as the headwaters of the Suwannee River. Here, we discuss historic records of M. suwanniensis within the Okefenokee Swamp, provide details of recent sightings (2000–2021), including an extension of the known distribution to the northern portion of the swamp, and discuss the conservation and management implications of these observations.","PeriodicalId":49490,"journal":{"name":"Southeastern Naturalist","volume":"94 1","pages":"78 - 83"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82098033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract - Herein we briefly provide a background context for and summary overview of the articles comprising this special issue of the Southeastern Naturalist on Macrochelys spp. (alligator snapping turtles). We also make a case for standardization in collecting and reporting morphometric data on these species, clarify the current taxonomic status within the genus, provide updated information on the distribution of Macrochelys in the US, and include a current bibliography and categorical analysis over time of the rapidly growing collection of literature focused on these iconic turtles.
{"title":"Introduction: Biology and Conservation of Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys)","authors":"J. L. Carr, E. Kessler, Gerald R. Johnston","doi":"10.1656/058.022.0sp12iv","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1656/058.022.0sp12iv","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract - Herein we briefly provide a background context for and summary overview of the articles comprising this special issue of the Southeastern Naturalist on Macrochelys spp. (alligator snapping turtles). We also make a case for standardization in collecting and reporting morphometric data on these species, clarify the current taxonomic status within the genus, provide updated information on the distribution of Macrochelys in the US, and include a current bibliography and categorical analysis over time of the rapidly growing collection of literature focused on these iconic turtles.","PeriodicalId":49490,"journal":{"name":"Southeastern Naturalist","volume":"67 1","pages":"iv - xvi"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83577898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kevin M. Enge, Jonathan D. Mays, Travis M. Thomas, E. P. Hill, E. T. Stonecypher, Matthew T. Fedler
Abstract - We trapped 4 large alluvial rivers (Ochlockonee, Apalachicola, Choctawhatchee, and Escambia), 10 of their tributaries, and 22 other streams during 2014–2018 to determine the distribution of Macrochelys (alligator snapping turtles) in the Florida panhandle. We trapped three 5-km sections of the 4 large rivers and 130–1347-m sections of 32 smaller streams. We captured 179 turtles in 855 trap nights (TN) for an overall catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 0.21, recording the first observations from Cypress, Bear, Dry, and Wetappo creeks. We failed to capture Macrochelys in 13 streams but suspect populations occur in most streams of all types between the Sopchoppy and Perdido rivers with adequate water depths and cover in the form of deep holes, undercut banks, or fallen trees. We had low trapping success (CPUE = 0.012) in 243 TN in the Choctawhatchee drainage despite apparently suitable habitat. The male:female ratio was 1.44:1, which was significantly different from 1:1. The 4 large rivers had proportionally larger females than smaller streams.
{"title":"Distribution and Relative Abundance of Macrochelys (Alligator Snapping Turtles) in the Florida Panhandle","authors":"Kevin M. Enge, Jonathan D. Mays, Travis M. Thomas, E. P. Hill, E. T. Stonecypher, Matthew T. Fedler","doi":"10.1656/058.022.0sp1205","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1656/058.022.0sp1205","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract - We trapped 4 large alluvial rivers (Ochlockonee, Apalachicola, Choctawhatchee, and Escambia), 10 of their tributaries, and 22 other streams during 2014–2018 to determine the distribution of Macrochelys (alligator snapping turtles) in the Florida panhandle. We trapped three 5-km sections of the 4 large rivers and 130–1347-m sections of 32 smaller streams. We captured 179 turtles in 855 trap nights (TN) for an overall catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 0.21, recording the first observations from Cypress, Bear, Dry, and Wetappo creeks. We failed to capture Macrochelys in 13 streams but suspect populations occur in most streams of all types between the Sopchoppy and Perdido rivers with adequate water depths and cover in the form of deep holes, undercut banks, or fallen trees. We had low trapping success (CPUE = 0.012) in 243 TN in the Choctawhatchee drainage despite apparently suitable habitat. The male:female ratio was 1.44:1, which was significantly different from 1:1. The 4 large rivers had proportionally larger females than smaller streams.","PeriodicalId":49490,"journal":{"name":"Southeastern Naturalist","volume":"1 1","pages":"84 - 99"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78085625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract - We studied the reproductive cycle of wild Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle) in southwest Georgia from March 2008 to September 2010. We measured plasma testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and corticosterone (C). Seasonal changes in T were observed in males, with maximum concentrations occurring in October. Evidence of mating and male combat were seen in April. Females displayed seasonal changes in T and E2 concentrations, with peaks occurring in March and April, respectively, (in association with mating and ovulation) and again in September and October, respectively, (in association with follicular development and vitellogenesis). We observed oviductal eggs (mean clutch size = 28.5) in April. Concentrations of C were not significantly different between months. Reproductive patterns coincided with seasonal variation in temperature and water level.
{"title":"Seasonal Reproductive Cycle of Wild Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) in Southwest Georgia","authors":"D. Rostal, Amber Teare, Philip Marley, J. Jensen","doi":"10.1656/058.022.0sp1220","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1656/058.022.0sp1220","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract - We studied the reproductive cycle of wild Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle) in southwest Georgia from March 2008 to September 2010. We measured plasma testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and corticosterone (C). Seasonal changes in T were observed in males, with maximum concentrations occurring in October. Evidence of mating and male combat were seen in April. Females displayed seasonal changes in T and E2 concentrations, with peaks occurring in March and April, respectively, (in association with mating and ovulation) and again in September and October, respectively, (in association with follicular development and vitellogenesis). We observed oviductal eggs (mean clutch size = 28.5) in April. Concentrations of C were not significantly different between months. Reproductive patterns coincided with seasonal variation in temperature and water level.","PeriodicalId":49490,"journal":{"name":"Southeastern Naturalist","volume":"5 1","pages":"335 - 358"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87765659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kevin M. Enge, Travis M. Thomas, Greg Brashear, J. Willmott
Abstract - Combat has been described in captive but not in wild Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle). Combat may be seldom observed in the wild because of the habitats used by these highly aquatic, cryptic turtles. We report 1 observation of fighting in M. temminckii and 3 observations of fighting in M. suwanniensis (Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle) from Florida and Georgia. Combat involved wrestling and biting of heads and front feet, and it was usually accompanied by dramatic bubbling of the water surface from submerged turtles. Observations were made in September, October, and December, outside of the presumed courtship and mating season.
{"title":"Observations of Male Combat in Alligator Snapping Turtles in Florida and Georgia","authors":"Kevin M. Enge, Travis M. Thomas, Greg Brashear, J. Willmott","doi":"10.1656/058.022.0sp1223","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1656/058.022.0sp1223","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract - Combat has been described in captive but not in wild Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle). Combat may be seldom observed in the wild because of the habitats used by these highly aquatic, cryptic turtles. We report 1 observation of fighting in M. temminckii and 3 observations of fighting in M. suwanniensis (Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle) from Florida and Georgia. Combat involved wrestling and biting of heads and front feet, and it was usually accompanied by dramatic bubbling of the water surface from submerged turtles. Observations were made in September, October, and December, outside of the presumed courtship and mating season.","PeriodicalId":49490,"journal":{"name":"Southeastern Naturalist","volume":"54 1","pages":"388 - 392"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82886155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. Glorioso, J. L. Carr, Carlyle Franklin, Mandi Gordon, A. C. Johnson, E. Kessler, Eric C. Munscher, Luke Pearson, Viviana Ricardez, Arron Tuggle
Abstract The lingual lures of Macrochelys (alligator snapping turtles) are believed to be the only prey-capturing lures within the mouths of modern reptiles. To date, no formal assessment of lure condition in Macrochelys has been published, and few researchers record lure data. Herein, we report damaged or missing lures from 25 Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle; 7 adults, 18 juveniles) from a sample of more than 2000 lure assessments in 4 states, indicating this is a rare occurrence. We also describe lingual lure color observed in these assessments and introduce standardized terminology and color categories. We suggest researchers record data on the condition and coloration of the lingual lure to further our understanding of this ecological and evolutionary adaptation.
{"title":"Condition and Coloration of Lingual Lures of Alligator Snapping Turtles","authors":"B. Glorioso, J. L. Carr, Carlyle Franklin, Mandi Gordon, A. C. Johnson, E. Kessler, Eric C. Munscher, Luke Pearson, Viviana Ricardez, Arron Tuggle","doi":"10.1656/058.022.0sp1227","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1656/058.022.0sp1227","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The lingual lures of Macrochelys (alligator snapping turtles) are believed to be the only prey-capturing lures within the mouths of modern reptiles. To date, no formal assessment of lure condition in Macrochelys has been published, and few researchers record lure data. Herein, we report damaged or missing lures from 25 Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle; 7 adults, 18 juveniles) from a sample of more than 2000 lure assessments in 4 states, indicating this is a rare occurrence. We also describe lingual lure color observed in these assessments and introduce standardized terminology and color categories. We suggest researchers record data on the condition and coloration of the lingual lure to further our understanding of this ecological and evolutionary adaptation.","PeriodicalId":49490,"journal":{"name":"Southeastern Naturalist","volume":"26 1","pages":"429 - 439"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88731730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract - Macrochelys (alligator snapping turtles), the largest freshwater turtles in North America, were recently proposed for threatened status under the US Endangered Species Act. Many previous surveys have focused on catching these large turtles in large river systems, but few surveys have focused on targeting hatchlings and juveniles, particularly in smaller rivers and creeks. I trapped extensively within the Pascagoula River drainage using small, baited crayfish traps, and a considerable focus of the study was in small rivers and streams. Juvenile Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle; 42.2–192 mm) were detected in small streams and large rivers (30.4 km2–22,000 km2), and the small traps were effective at capturing young alligator snapping turtles. Smaller streams are logistically harder to trap from a boat, but small streams should not be overlooked when sampling for this species, as these streams may have served as refugia during commercial harvest over the past century.
摘要:美洲鳄龟是北美最大的淡水龟，最近被列入美国濒危物种法案的濒危物种名单。以前的许多调查都集中在大型河流系统中捕获这些大型海龟，但很少有调查关注幼龟和幼龟，特别是在较小的河流和小溪中。我在帕斯卡古拉河(Pascagoula River)流域内广泛捕获了小型的、带诱饵的小龙虾陷阱，研究的重点是在小河和小溪中。幼鳄鳄龟;小溪涧和大河(30.4 km2 ~ 22000 km2)中捕获到42.2 ~ 192 mm的小陷阱，小陷阱对捕获幼鳄鳄龟效果显著。较小的溪流在后勤上更难从船上捕获，但在对该物种进行采样时不应忽视小溪流，因为这些溪流可能在过去一个世纪的商业收获期间成为避难所。
{"title":"Big Turtles Start Small: Trapping Juvenile Alligator Snapping Turtles in South Mississippi and Implications for Conservation","authors":"Grover J. Brown","doi":"10.1656/058.022.0sp1208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1656/058.022.0sp1208","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract - Macrochelys (alligator snapping turtles), the largest freshwater turtles in North America, were recently proposed for threatened status under the US Endangered Species Act. Many previous surveys have focused on catching these large turtles in large river systems, but few surveys have focused on targeting hatchlings and juveniles, particularly in smaller rivers and creeks. I trapped extensively within the Pascagoula River drainage using small, baited crayfish traps, and a considerable focus of the study was in small rivers and streams. Juvenile Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle; 42.2–192 mm) were detected in small streams and large rivers (30.4 km2–22,000 km2), and the small traps were effective at capturing young alligator snapping turtles. Smaller streams are logistically harder to trap from a boat, but small streams should not be overlooked when sampling for this species, as these streams may have served as refugia during commercial harvest over the past century.","PeriodicalId":49490,"journal":{"name":"Southeastern Naturalist","volume":"2006 1","pages":"126 - 137"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82437193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kameron C. Voves, S. L. Hannabass, Denise M. Thompson, D. B. Ligon
Abstract - Head-start programs have been established to aid in the recovery of Macrochelys temmincki (Alligator Snapping Turtle) throughout the Mississippi River drainage. As the success of the breeding programs increase, additional release sites are needed where suitable habitat persists for reintroduction of Alligator Snapping Turtles, but methods to evaluate habitat suitability remain loosely defined. We developed a standardized field survey and habitat suitability model that can be used to assess and prioritize potential reintroduction sites. We measured important habitat features in the field and indexed them using a simple model that translated continuous data to an ordinal scoring system, resulting in an overall site-suitability score. We developed the model using 2 potential measurements of submerged deadwood density and determined habitat suitability among 17 sites in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi where Alligator Snapping Turtles were absent, present, and reintroduced. The model using side-scan sonar correctly predicted the presence of good habitat at sites where wild and reintroduced populations of Alligator Snapping Turtles were present, and scores were significantly related to Alligator Snapping Turtle abundance.
{"title":"A Standardized Field Method and Habitat Suitability Model to Assess Reintroduction Sites for Alligator Snapping Turtles","authors":"Kameron C. Voves, S. L. Hannabass, Denise M. Thompson, D. B. Ligon","doi":"10.1656/058.022.0sp1203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1656/058.022.0sp1203","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract - Head-start programs have been established to aid in the recovery of Macrochelys temmincki (Alligator Snapping Turtle) throughout the Mississippi River drainage. As the success of the breeding programs increase, additional release sites are needed where suitable habitat persists for reintroduction of Alligator Snapping Turtles, but methods to evaluate habitat suitability remain loosely defined. We developed a standardized field survey and habitat suitability model that can be used to assess and prioritize potential reintroduction sites. We measured important habitat features in the field and indexed them using a simple model that translated continuous data to an ordinal scoring system, resulting in an overall site-suitability score. We developed the model using 2 potential measurements of submerged deadwood density and determined habitat suitability among 17 sites in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi where Alligator Snapping Turtles were absent, present, and reintroduced. The model using side-scan sonar correctly predicted the presence of good habitat at sites where wild and reintroduced populations of Alligator Snapping Turtles were present, and scores were significantly related to Alligator Snapping Turtle abundance.","PeriodicalId":49490,"journal":{"name":"Southeastern Naturalist","volume":"336 1","pages":"56 - 77"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80645891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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