7th Annual Symposium - Turtle Survival Alliance

Transcription

JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF THE
TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE AND
IUCN TORTOISE & FRESHWATER TURTLE SPECIALIST GROUP
7TH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM
ON THE CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY OF
TORTOISES AND FRESHWATER TURTLES
PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, USA
AUGUST 5-8, 2009
CONFERENCE SPONSOR
CONFERENCE HOST
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY BRETT AND NANCY STEARNS, CHELONIAN
RESEARCH FOUNDATION, REPTILES MAGAZINE AND CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
Burmese roof turtle painting commemorates one of TSA’s signature
conservation programs
This is the second in a series of turtle paintings by noted reptile artist Tell Hicks that commemorate TSA programs to save
critically endangered species. The Burmese roof turtle print is timely in that it comes on the heels of two significant
milestones in this program’s history: the Species Recovery Plan workshop held January 2009 and the first worldwide
captive breeding for this species in 2008, both occurring in Mandalay, Myanmar.
The enigmatic Burmese roof turtle, Batagur (Kachuga) trivittata, had not been recorded by scientists since the 1930’s and
was “rediscovered” in 2002 when specimens turned up in a Hong Kong market and in a Mandalay temple pond. Gerald
Kuchling is credited with recognizing the specimens - a male and two females - in the temple pond and took decisive
action to move them to the Yadanabon Zoo to start a captive breeding program. His efforts to locate remnant wild
populations were successful and he was able to further expand the captive population. Gerald Kuchling’s landmark effort
to save B. trivittata is just one of the reasons that he was selected as the recipient of the 2009 John Behler Chelonian
Conservation Award. Today this program is managed jointly by the TSA and WCS and has made enormous strides in the
seven years since rediscovery. The headstarting program at Yadanabon currently manages 243 juvenile B. trivittata,
collected from wild nests on the Upper Chindwin River from 2006 – 2009. Additional captive facilities are being designed
and the field recovery program is expanding. Efforts to save this species in nature are jeopardized by the impending dam
construction that would inundate all known nesting beaches. Sites up river from the dam are being evaluated for the
establishment of translocated populations. Despite these heroic efforts, B. trivittata is still regarded as one of the most at risk vertebrate species on earth, though the extinction risk is certainly much lower than it was previously.
Limited-edition prints of this painting are available for purchase here in St. Louis to raise funds to support the TSA’s
programs for Burmese roof turtle conservation. The original painting will be offered at the live auction on Friday night.
Seventh Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles
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From the Program Co-chairs
Welcome to this, the Seventh Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, generously
hosted by the renowned St Louis Zoo. From relatively humble beginnings, this has grown beyond any expectation. It has become
more than just a simple turtle conference; it has grown into the Joint Annual meeting of the Turtle Survival Alliance, the Tortoise and
Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group and the Turtle Conservation Fund. It has matured into the largest non-marine chelonian gathering
in the world. Each year, we welcome more groups and hope to continue and expand upon past progress.
This year, we return once again to St. Louis, the site of what is arguably the best of our symposia. It’s hard to say if it was chemistry,
time and place, the right price, or one of so many other variables, but we believe it was the perfect mix of cheloniophiles. With seven
being such an auspicious and lucky number, we’ll be kicking it off with the icebreaker on the night of the full moon which should
make things even more interesting. For another year, we have the opportunity to slow down a bit from our hectic schedules, exchange
ideas, make new acquaintances and hoist a few to friends old and new, to those attending, and the ones who couldn’t make it this year.
It’s an occasion to mix with a diverse group of attendees from around the world who come together here to share thoughts and address
the problems of the chelonians from around the globe. Where else on earth would one find the academic world merging with zoo
professionals, NGOs with field researchers, conservationists with biologists, private keepers and breeders, all raising glasses and
talking turtle.
Although coming from humble roots, this unlikely experiment began as a relatively small meeting which was convened just a few
short years ago by the Turtle Survival Alliance, it has continued to grow and mature. Each year, we have been treated to more and
better oral and poster presentations, videos, icebreaker, barbeque, and banquet addresses. Once again to encourage our future, the
Chelonian Research Foundation is supporting a special award and prize for the best student papers and posters. For without bringing
the next wave of chelonian researchers on board, the symposium would stagnate as so many others have done. And the prestigious
John Behler Turtle Conservation Award, which recognizes the other end of the spectrum, will also be presented at the Symposium.
Its time to pay attention to the “man (men and women) behind the curtain” who need to be recognized for they are the ones who truly
make this event sink or swim. There are a multitude of supporting players who volunteer, provide support, and give generously of
their time and resources to make it all happen. Conference Committee Chair Lonnie McCaskill of Disney’s Animal Kingdom once
again moved heaven and earth to find the perfect venue, and at a bargain price (under $100/night –it even includes breakfast! ). So
many conferences have simply priced themselves out of our reach. When you consider the price tag of just over $100 for registration,
it’s not just a good value; it’s a major bargain, even without taking into account the three nights of food and drinks at the icebreaker,
barbeque, and banquet. Other conferences charge more than that for just for the meals. But in the event that it was too reasonable, we
have a wonderful group of vendors again this year to relieve us of our disposable income.
And we would be remiss to not thank the program committee, who provided guidance and support. In addition to the two of us, a
number of those on the committee were especially generous with their time and energy to also organize sessions and act as session
chairs. So, special thanks go out to Ander Rhodin, Elizabeth Walton, Will Selman, Ray Saumure, Jim Harding, J. Daren Riedle, Glen
Jacobsen, and Dave Manser.
We look forward to next year’s symposium, no longer just the best place to see chelonian presentations, but an annual event where the
opportunity to exchange ideas and greet friends (old and new) is as important as what happens in the front of the room. We would
also like to take this opportunity to thank the presenters, session moderators, and of course you, the attendees. Thanks for coming.
And enjoy.
Chuck Schaffer and Andrew Walde
Program Co-chairs, Seventh Annual Symposium on Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles
From the Turtle Survival Alliance
Welcome to the Seventh Annual Symposium on Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles. We are excited to
return to St. Louis and to the combination of a great host city, a generous host institution and an impressive slate of presentations.
Once again, this meeting offers the opportunity to network with the world’s leading chelonian conservation biologists as well as
sessions targeting all aspects of chelonian conservation and biology.
The past year has been a busy one for the TSA and there has been serious progress towards protecting endangered species and
populations in Asia as well as Madagascar. Field teams have been hard at work in China, Myanmar, India and Malaysia and Gerald
Kuchling will provide an update on our ongoing efforts to breed the last known captive pair of Yangtze giant softshell turtles, Rafetus
swinhoei, at the Suzhou Zoo in China. In Myanmar, a Plan was drafted for saving the Burmese roofed turtle (Batagur trivittata) and
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the first captive breeding of this species was documented at Mandalay’s Yadanabon Zoo. Once again an original painting has been
commissioned from famed wildlife artist Tell Hicks to sell at auction. Prints will be available for purchase during the conference and
all of the proceeds will go to support ongoing program expenses.
TSA’s new Madagascar Program is collaborating with the Behler Chelonian Center and the San Diego Zoo to raise funds to protect
the last wild populations of the Ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora).. The TSA is also supporting captive enclosure
improvements for spider tortoises (Pyxis arachnoides) at the Village des Tortues in Ifaty. We look forward to productive partnerships
as we join forces to address the needs of Madagascar’s increasingly imperiled tortoises.
As most of you have probably heard, the TSA underwent a major restructuring in 2009 and has emerged as a full-fledged non-profit
conservation NGO that now operates outside of the IUCN structure. With a new Board of Directors and expanded committees that
better reflect the global composition of TSA, our new structure allows us to be more accountable to donors and supporters and more
responsive to the needs of our members and the challenges of turtle conservation. The new Board shares the vision of the TSA as the
“Go To” organization for turtle and tortoise conservation. Look for our Board members here in St. Louis.
As always, this meeting would not happen without the heroic efforts of a handful of people who devote countless hours to conference
planning and execution. We owe a particular debt of gratitude to Lonnie McCaskill, who has chaired the Conference Committee for
the past seven years and whose experience and dedication has been critical to the success of this (and every) TSA conference. Chuck
Schaffer and Andrew Walde, Program Co-Chairs, along with Beth Walton, have put together an exciting set of talks and posters.
Heather Lowe, in her new role as TSA Program Coordinator, has been instrumental in organizing meeting registration, travel and
logistics, in addition to her other duties with membership, newsletters, donor correspondence, etc. Be sure to say hello to her at the
registration desk and let her know whether or not you will attend the awards on banquet Saturday night. Jennifer Poindexter of the St
Louis Zoo has been invaluable in handling our local arrangements, and her ability to secure price breaks at a number of venues has
allowed, us to offer the greatest possible value for your registration dollar. Special thanks go to City Museum, for allowing us to tour
their remarkable exhibits at no charge, to the St. Louis Zoo for hosting our Banquet and to the St. Louis Hilton at the Ballpark for
sponsoring our opening icebreaker. One of our biggest expenses is speaker travel, and we are grateful to Sheena Koeth, Brett and
Nancy Stearns, Anders Rhodin (CRF) and Conservation International for their generous support. Finally, we are extremely grateful for
the continued support of our title sponsor, ZooMed, Inc., and we urge you to support them by buying their products.
As you interact with your colleagues, and sit through presentations and workshops, take notice of how diverse the TSA network has
become. This unique partnership – the alliance – continues to be our core strength that sets us apart from other organizations. We must
maintain our shared vision and commitment to zero turtle extinctions and remember to always let our passion for turtles drive our
work for their survival.
Scott Davis, Executive Director
Rick Hudson, President
From the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group
Echoing the welcoming remarks from Rick Hudson and Scott Davis of the Turtle Survival Alliance, I also extend my enthusiastic
welcome to all participants and presenters at this 7th Annual Turtle and Tortoise Symposium. Welcome especially to all members of
the TFTSG, the Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International
Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The TFTSG is honored and pleased to share this symposium venue with the Turtle
Survival Alliance and most appreciative of the opportunity to help develop an increasingly collaborative approach to global turtle
conservation efforts between these leading turtle conservation organizations and others.
The presence and participation at this symposium also of other key global turtle conservation groups, such as the Turtle Conservation
Fund (TCF), the Behler Chelonian Center and Turtle Conservancy (BCC/TC), the World Chelonian Trust (WCT), Chelonian Research
Foundation (CRF), Chelonian Research Institute (CRI), and representatives from Conservation International (CI), Wildlife
Conservation Society (WCS), and other turtle-focused organizations, creates a welcome summit-like opportunity for networking,
planning, and the strengthening of our joint commitment to a global and unified approach to chelonian conservation. For those
symposium participants representing academic, zoo-based, and herpetoculturist turtle expertise and interest, welcome to this growing
network of organizations making a difference. We welcome your participation and contributions and appreciate your presence and
support. Thank you all for attending.
Anders Rhodin Chair, TFTSG; Director, CRF; Co-Chair, TCF
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Table of Contents
Burmese Roof Turtle Painting Available ……………………….………………………………………………………1
Welcome Letters ………………………………………………….………………………………………………………2
Table of Contents / Note to Presenters…………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Daily Schedule Wed-Thurs……………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Video Night ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
Daily Schedule Fri-Sat…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Workshop, Non-profit tables, Posters…………………………………………………………………………………... 8
Conference Notes and Social Activities…………………………………………………………………………………. 9
Abstracts.............................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Presenting?
Please turn in your talks (power point files, etc.) at the Information Table (Foyer) on the day before you
present. Someone will be available to load your talk from 4:30-6:00 pm on Wednesday and during breaks on
Thursday and Friday.
To all student presenters:
You MUST sign in at the Information Table (Foyer) at registration to be considered for a student award.
Contents should be cited as:
Author. 2009. Title. In C. Schaffer, A. Walde, E. Walton, and R. Schaffer (eds.) Program and Abstracts of
The Seventh Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles.
Turtle Survival Alliance, St. Louis. pp. xx-xx.
Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle from:
Jonston, J. 1660. Beschryving Van De Natuur Der Viervoetige Dieren. Amsterdam.
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Daily Schedule
Tuesday August 4
Wednesday August 5
900
Thursday August 6
Opening Remarks /TSA & TFTSG
Rick Hudson, Scott Davis, Anders Rhodin
Keynote Moderator: TBA
920
Red List workshop for the turtles of the MidWest /
Mississippi Basin region
(9:30 - ???)
TCF Board and Animal Management Committees
(8:00 – 12:00)
KEYNOTE
The Volcan Wolf tortoises
P PRITCHARD
940
“
1000
The Chelonians
of the Romanian Dobrogeia
T BLANCK
Break & Posters
1020
Community Conservation
1040
1100
1120
1140
1200
Conference and Program Committees
(12:00-14:00)
TSA BOD (12:00 – 16:00)
1220
1320
Moderator: TBA
Turtle tales – Local beliefs and legends helping to
conserve the Pig-nosed turtle *
C EISEMBERG
Turtles, a river, people – a symbiosis – an
Australian package
M CONNELL
Community based conservation monitoring of
the Radiated tortoise
T RAFELIARISOA
Community based ecosystem conservation
approach to preserve Sri Lankan Testudines
T KAPURUSINGHE
An overview of efforts to conserve Pakistan’s
freshwater turtles
U NOUREEN
Lunch
Southwestern Kinosternids Chair: D Riedle
Life history & evolution J IVERSON
AND
Status & threats P ROSEN
Evolutionary history of the turtle family
Kinosternidae
C INGRAM
Texas panhandle yellow mud turtle: Age
Structure & survival
R KAZMAIER
Texas panhandle yellow mud turtle: sex ratio,
reproduction & growth
M LANGE
Orientation in juveniles of
a semi-aquatic turtle, K. flavescens
J IVERSON
Break & Posters
TSA Advisory and Field Conservation Committees
(13:00-16:40)
1340
1400
1420
1440
1500
Southwestern Kinosternids Chair
1520
1540
1600
1620
1640
1700
TFTSG Steering Committee (16:00 – 17:40)
D. Riedle
Natural history and conservation status of the
Chihuahuan mud turtle
S PLATT
Demography, terrestrial behavior, & growth of
Sonoran mud turtles
F HENSLEY
Reproductive ecology of Sonora mud turtles at
Montezuma Well
J LOVICH
Anthropogenic factors affecting Sonoran mud
turtles
P STONE
Population status of a geographically isolated
Kinosternid
D RIEDLE
Integration of the declining Sonoyta mud turtle
into modern Sonora
P ROSEN
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Thursday – Video Night
Thursday 19:02:30 – Video Night
7:00
The John L Behler Chelonian Conservation Center: Update and Field Work
ERIC GOODE & MAURICE RODRIGUES
7:30
Loneliest Animals
SCOTT DAVIS
8:00
Sidenecks of Gondwanaland
PETER PRITCHARD
8:30
Two Videos
T KAPURUSINGHE
9:00
A Passion for Turtles
In Search of…
JEFF LOVICH
9:15
Nesting Eastern Box Turtles
CHUCK LANDREY
9:25
Asian Turtle Crisis film for law enforcement Tam Biet Turtle
Rafetus Rescue News
dhendrie@gmail.com
DOUG HENDRIE
9:45
Tracking Cuora mccordi in southern China
TORSTEN BLANCK
Pizza will be provided to those attending the video night presentation. Donations
will be accepted to offset the cost of food. A cash bar will be available for
beverages. We hope you can join us!
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Daily Schedule
820
840
900
920
940
1000
1020
Friday August 7 - A
Friday August 7 - B
Graptemys Chair: Will Selman
Captive Studies/Genetics Chair:G Jacobsen
Clemmys Chairs:Andrew Walde & Ray Saumure
Introduction to the
Graptemys Session
P LINDEMAN
Conservation Assessment of the Map
Turtles & Sawbacks
P LINDEMAN
Population Structure & Trends: Map
turtles in the Choctawhatchee *
C LECHOWICZ
Anthropogenic disturbances: Impacts on
Canadian Map Turtle populations *
A BENNETT
Life History Ecology & Status of the
Ringed Sawback
R JONES
Conservation Genetics of the Yellowblotched Sawback *
W SELMAN
Break/Posters/Hands-on Demos
Genetic Diversity in the Chicken Turtle,
Deirochelys reticularia *
N HILZINGER
Captive husbandry and successful reproduction
of black-breasted leaf turtles *
J DAWSON
Eastern European turtle farms:
a look inside
H PHILIPPEN
More on options
to oxytocin
M FELDMAN
Does M. emys exhibit subspecific variation in
growth? A morphometric analysis *
R SCHAFFER
Alternative energy & water sources for turtle
and tortoise habitats
G JACOBSEN
Conservation of a habitat generalist & seasonal
activity specialist:
J LITZGUS
Seasonal Habitat Selection
by Spotted Turtles in Ontario *
M RASMUSSEN
Status & Conservation of the Wood Turtle in
Virginia & the George Washington National Forest
S KRICHBAUM
Habitat Use and Seasonal Movements of the Bog
Turtle in Eastern Pennsylvania
R FARRELL
Nesting Ecology and Hatching Success of Bog Turtles
at Five Study Sites in Eastern Pennsylvania
R ZAPPALORTI
Historical Perspective:
Bartram’s “Clemmys”
C SCHAFFER
Translocation/Field Studies
Genetics Moderator:TBA
Biology of the Chelonia Chairs: C Schaffer & A
Reintroduction as a Conservation Tool
for Blanding’s Turtles
KURT BUHLMANN
European pond turtle headstarting:
approach & management plan
M ZUFFI
Health, Behavior, and Survival of
Translocated during the First 15 Months
T GOWAN
Retention rate of hard released
translocated Egyptian tortoises
O ATTUM
Alligator snapping turtle reintroduction
and translocation: highs and lows
D LIGON
Update on the Chrysemys picta bellii
genome project
P MINX
Comparative phylogeography: molecular data
can answer ecological questions *
K HODGES
Population Genetic Study of the Baly Bay
Ploughshare Tortoise*
A MANDIMBIHASINA
Genetic diversity in the chicken turtle,
Deirochelys reticularia *
N HILZINGER
Coupling genetic data and ecological-niche
modeling for turtle conservation *
K HODGES
Lunch
Africa/Field Studies Moderator:TBA
Lunch
Genetics/Field Studies Chair: G Jacobsen
Variability of gonadal differentiation in juvenile
turtles of different species & implications for
endoscopic sexing G KUCHLING
Comments on Comparative Feeding Behavior
Between Hybrid Turtles and Their Parental Species
J HARDING
Partitioning Contemporary & Historical
Components of Global Turtle Diversity
T AKRE
Form and function of patterns of
skeletal growth in turtles
A RHODIN
The
Turtle Shell
P PRITCHARD
Lunch – Student Awards Committee
Status of the northern
Madagascar spider tortoise*
R WALKER
How much immigration is needed to
sustain hunted Hingeback Tortoises? *
N SMOLENSKY
TSA Africa:
First steps
T DIAGNE
Epidemiology of Upper Respiratory Tract
Disease in Desert Tortoises
K BERRY
Demography and Habitat Conversion in
the Three-toed Box Turtle
A KIESTER
Mitochondrial DNA variation of Testudo
complex in Turkey
O TÜRKOZAN
Mitochondrial Phylogeography of the Central
American river turtle
G SYED
Assessment of Trachemys gaigeae:
molecular methods in turtle conservation*
J JACKSON
Turtle community structure in an urban Ozark
stream *
B ANDERS
Mercury contamination in turtles and
implications for human health *
A GREEN
Status and conservation of the soft-shell turtle,
Trionyx triunguis, in Turkey
O TÜRKOZAN
Eight years of conserving wild Mary River turtles in
Australia
M CONNELL
Conservation of Endangered Indian Turtles:
Achievements and Challenges
S SINGH
Last of the giant Asian hardshells; searching for
remnant populations
B HORNE
Present status of
Sri Lankan Testudines
T KAPURUSINGHE
Moderator:TBA
1040
1100
1120
1140
1200
1220
Saturday August 8
Rhodin
Chelonian Conservation Chairs: C Schaffer & E
Walton
1320
1340
1400
1420
1440
1500
1520
Genetics Moderator: TBA
Field Studies Moderator: TBA
Field Studies Moderator:TBA
Population characteristics and growth
rate of the Alligator Snapping Turtle *
C HOWEY
Variation in musk turtle size
& catch frequency *
N RUHL
TFTSG Update
NO SESSION
TFTSG Update
NO SESSION
The Chelonian Fauna
of Sardinia and Corsica - Part I
T BLANCK
The Chelonian Fauna
of Sardinia and Corsica - Part II
T BLANCK
Onboard “Tortoise-Cam” Applications in Ethological
and Ecological Research
A KIESTER
1540
1600
7
Hands-on Workshop
Complete Habitat Set Up – From A to Z
DAVE MANSER
AT ALL BREAKS IN THE POSTER/VENDOR ROOM
Non-Profit Tables
Marilyn Connell - Tiaro Landcare Group/Mary River Turtle Program
Thushan Kapurusinghe - Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) Sri Lanka
Omar Attum - Egyptian Tortoise Program
Carla Eisemberg – Pig Nose Turtle Project
Doug Hendrie - Asian Turtle Conservation Network
AT ALL BREAKS IN THE POSTER/VENDOR ROOM
Posters
Movements and Home Range of Eastern Box
Turtles in a Forested Habitat & Future Impacts of
Timber Harvests *
A CURRYLOW
Effect of Egg-Incubation & Acclimation
Temperature on Selected Temperature by Painted
Turtles *
A CYR
Status & distribution of Terrapins & Tortoises in
Ghana, Togo and Benin
T DIAGNE
Community awareness & capacity building to
advance testudine conservation in Sri Lanka
T KAPURUSINGHE
Preliminary Results on the Molecular
Phylogeography of Terrapene sp.
B MARTIN
Population Ecology of Turtles on Missouri
Western State University’s Campus: A
Preliminary Report *
M MILLS
Testing the Reliability of Age Determination in the
Egyptian Tortoise*
K DUFFY
Does Acclimation Temperature Affect Growth
Rates & Movement of Juvenile Diamond-backed
Terrapins? *
V MORAN
Let’s Save Piggy–Grassroots Environmental
Education and the Pig-nosed Turtle *
C EISEMBERG
Experiences 2009: the Asian Scholarship
Program for in-situ Chelonian Conservation
U NOUREEN
Does Gender Affect Seasonal Microhabitat
Selection by Wood Turtles?
J. HAMMEN
Spatial ecology of adult Alligator Snapping
Turtles in northern Louisiana *
M RAY
Effect of Age and Acclimation Temperature on
Selected Temperature by Juvenile Diamondback
Terrapins *
E RIESBERG
Population Biology of a gopher tortoise population
on an island in southwest Florida *
JULIE ROSS
Niche-partitioning of sympatric map turtles in the
Sabine River *
S SANDERS
Does annuli count reflect age in captive Manouria
emys? With analysis of three evaluation methods*
RICK SCHAFFER
Gopher tortoise juvenile activity patterns in
southern Mississippi
A SCHNEIDER
First assessment of mitochondrial DNA diversity
within the endangered Nile Softshell turtle in
Mediterranean & Africa
C ULGER
Turtle Races: The Environmental Impacts of
Using Turtles for Amusement *
A HEEB
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Conference Notes and Social Activities
Wednesday, August 5
Registration 4:30-6:00 (Foyer)
Auction item drop-off 4:30-6:00 (Foyer)
Icebreaker 6:00
Registration 6:30-8:30 (Icebreaker – pre-registration pick-up only, please)
Post Icebreaker Talk: Visits at Chinese Turtle Farms and a sea turtle head starting facility TORSTEN BLANCK
Thursday, August 6
Auction item drop-off 8:00-1:30 (Foyer)
Video night 7:00
Friday, August 7
Silent auction 8:00-2:40 (Poster room)
Silent auction payment / pick-up 3:00-4:30 (Foyer)
First bus leaves for City Museum 5:15 (Main hotel entrance)
Last bus leaves for City Museum 5:45
Free time at City Museum 5:30-7:00
Dinner 7:00
Live Auction 8:00
Saturday, August 8
Registration 8:00-1:00 (Foyer) *last chance to purchase a TSA t-shirt or other souvenir!
First bus leaves for St. Louis Zoo 5:00 (Main hotel entrance)
Last bus leaves for St. Louis Zoo 5:30
Pre-event “mix and mingle” at the park 5:30-6:00
Tour St. Louis Herpetarium 6:15
Banquet dinner and awards presentation 7:00
Support the TSA!
Be sure to visit the merchandise tables while you are here! Purchases of t-shirts, prints, turtle sculptures and other items
benefit the TSA and its conservation programs. A cashier is available for TSA merchandise purchases anytime that
registration is open, in the foyer. Visa, MasterCard, checks or cash are accepted.
Auction Notes
The silent and live auctions are always a fun part of the TSA conference, plus they generate funds to help support the
TSA’s conservation programs. The silent auction will take place on Friday in the poster room. Live auction will be held at
our BBQ on Friday night, at City Museum.
Thanks to all of you who have items that you are donating to this cause. If you were not able to download an auction
donation form from the website, copies are available in the foyer, at the auction drop-off table. Please note: no auction
items will be accepted without an accompanying form! Auction items will be accepted from 4:30-6:00 pm on Wednesday
and from 8:00-1:30 pm on Thursday. It is very important that you get your items turned in during this time! This will
allow our volunteers to catalog each donation and make sure that everything runs smoothly.
To our lucky winners: silent auction items may be paid for and picked up at the registration table from 3:00-4:15 pm on
Friday. Live auction items can be paid for at City Museum. A cashier’s table will be set up at the event site.
Questions?
Check with one of our volunteers the Information Table in the foyer during breaks. A message board will be posted there
as well with up-to-date information or changes.
9
Abstracts
π
Presenting author *Student Paper
Partitioning Contemporary and Historical Components of Global Turtle Diversity
THOMAS S. B. AKRE1, JOHN B. IVERSON2, AND BRADFORD HAWKINS3
1
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Longwood University, Farmville VA 23909, U.S.A. [akrets@longwood.edu]
2
Department of Biology, Earlham College, Richmond IN 47374, U.S.A. [johni@earlham.edu]
3
School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine CA 92697, U.S.A. [bhawkins@uci.edu]
The latitudinal richness gradient is well established for many taxonomic groups, and numerous explanations have been proposed.
However, the relationship between contemporary and historical factors and their influence on a richness gradient in Testudines has not
been examined. We used projected range maps, environmental and historical predictors, and a concatenated phylogeny of extant
tortoise and freshwater turtle species to 1) examine patterns of richness and evolutionary development and 2) explain contributions of
contemporary climate and historical processes. As expected, richness was greater in lower latitudes and relatively high in Neotropical
and Oriental regions. Richness was relatively low in the Afrotropics and highest in large river basins of southeastern North America
and the eastern Indian subcontinent. Contemporary climate was the most strongly supported hypothesis for the richness gradient: four
environmental variables explained 59% of variance. A secondary historical effect was apparent: biogeographic region explained
37.8% of variance. When considered independently, climate accounted for seven times more variance than region. There was no
global geographical pattern in evolutionary development other than a tendency to be higher in the Palearctic and Oriental regions and
lower in the Gondwanaland continents, especially Australia. Neither the climate nor historical hypothesis was well supported, but
historical processes likely played a larger role in evolutionary development. Just 6.5% of variance was explained by contemporary
climate, and 30.5% could be attributed to biogeographic region. Considered independently, region accounted for seventeen times more
variance than climate. Furthermore, species richness and evolutionary development were poorly correlated (r = 0.04), suggesting that
contributions of contemporary climate and historical processes were largely independent. We suggest that phylogenetic niche
conservatism and poor dispersal, along with time for speciation effect and extinction, may best explain a regionally contingent pattern
of species richness and evolutionary development.
Biology of the Chelonia: Oral
Turtle Community Structure in an Urban Ozark Stream *
BEN ANDERS1π AND DON MOLL2
1
Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Box 19498, Arlington, TX 76019-0498
[mbanders@uta.edu, casichelydia@hotmail.com]
2
Department of Biology, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897
Freshwater turtles are among the most ubiquitous aquatic fauna in North America, but data on their actual abundance is often lacking,
and we can find ourselves wondering “How much turtle is in that water?” Turtles were trapped from a South Creek impoundment at
Darr Agricultural Center in Springfield, MO from June through July of 2007. One hundred twenty-six turtles (six species) weighed a
total of 189.03 kg, the most abundant of which were slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) (64% total specimens, 33% total mass) and
snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) (28% total specimens, 63% total mass). These data suggest that the turtle community
contributes a significant proportion of the stream's biomass and imply that its ecological role within this greatly altered ecosystem is of
considerable importance.
Field and Captive Studies: Oral (Student)
Retention Rate of Hard Released Translocated Egyptian Tortoises
OMAR ATTUM1, WISSAM E. FARAG2, SHERIF M. BAHA EL DIN3
1
Department of Biology, Indiana University Southeast, 4201 Grant Line Rd., New Albany, IN 47150, USA [oattum@ius.edu]
2
Omayed Protectorate, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, Cairo-Helwan Agricultural Rd., 1 Maadi, Cairo, EGYPT
3
Scientific Advisor, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, 30 Cairo-Helwan Agricultural Rd., 1 Maadi, Cairo, EGYPT
We examined the suitability of using translocations as a method to create a new population of Egyptian tortoises, Testudo kleinmanni,
in an area where the species historically occurred. One hundred and nine tortoises were released, comprising 57 males, 48 females,
and 4 juveniles. Twenty-one individuals (19.3 %: males n=7, 12.3 %; females n=14, 29.2 %) were found during post release surveys
approximately two years later. Our results suggest that dispersal from the release site may influence survival and relocation success.
The number of times a tortoise was re-located decreased as the minimum distance it was found from the release site increased. In
addition, live tortoises were significantly more likely to be found at shorter minimum distances than dead tortoises. The sex ratio of
pre-released tortoises tended to be different from the sex ratio of tortoises found during later surveys, with females significantly more
likely to be found than males. Pre-release body mass was not a significant predictor of an individual tortoise being re-located. We then
discuss the implications and benefits of this study to restoring Egyptian tortoise populations and in situ conservation.
Translocations: Oral
10
Anthropogenic Disturbances: Impacts on the Health and Demography of
Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) Populations in Canada *
AMANDA M. BENNETTΠ, MATTHEW G. KEEVIL, AND JACQUELINE D. LITZGUS
Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, CANADA [jlitzgus@laurentian.ca]
The Northern map turtle (Graptemys geographica) is a highly aquatic freshwater turtle species, listed as being of special concern in
Canada. Their distribution is limited to several large waterways in Ontario and the extreme South-western edge of Quebec. The impact
of anthropogenic disturbances on map turtles has been little studied in Canada, despite the fact that their habitats are often shared with
a number of human recreational and commercial practices. We examined the impacts of human disturbances, specifically the presence
of locks and dams, as well as recreational boating, on the health and demography of map turtles (n = 310) on the Trent-Severn
Waterway, Ontario, Canada. Approximately 20% of map turtles in our populations displayed a wide array of injuries and health
concerns, some of which were directly attributable to impacts with boat propellers, while other causes remain unknown. Possible and
confirmed sources of mortality included accidental trapping of turtles in water treatment facility and hydroelectric generating station
inflows, subsidized predation, and systemic infection by a naturally occurring bacterium post-hibernation. Turtles in populations
fragmented by locks and dams were significantly smaller in both mass and shell size than turtles from intact habitats, had a
significantly female biased sex ratio (1: 1.81, male: females), and a high proportion of juveniles (39-45%) in the population. We
hypothesize that a combination of niche divergence between the age/sex classes, coupled with a loss of shallow water habitat in
fragmented areas, is driving these demographic differences. Further research should focus on immediate mitigation of injury and
mortality sources, as well as long term studies to determine what the demographic differences mean to the persistence of these
populations.
Graptemys: Oral (Student)
Epidemiology of Upper Respiratory Tract Disease (Mycoplasmosis) in Desert Tortoises at the Daggett Study Area: 2007-09
KRISTIN H. BERRY, JEREMY MACK, AND TIM GOWAN
U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553 USA
[kristin_berry@usgs.gov]
The Daggett Epidemiology of Upper Respiratory Tract Disease project in the southern Mojave Desert is in its third year. Funded by
Ft. Irwin as supporting research for the Ft. Irwin Translocation Plan, the project was designed to quantify the disease dynamics of an
on-going epidemic while developing a landscape epidemiology risk model that could be applied to future translocation efforts.
Tortoises were located, transmittered, and were evaluated biannually (spring and fall) for health and disease. Since 2007, we have
transmittered 144 tortoises. An additional 34 tortoises were located and evaluated, but not transmittered. In total, we have collected
465 blood samples from 178 tortoises. The samples were collected from tortoises located in the three major search bands (core, middle
and outer). The percentage of tortoises with suspect or positive ELISA tests for mycoplasmosis has increased each season since 2007.
For the 2007-2009 spring samplings, 15.6%, 21.7% and 24.3% of the tortoises tested positive or suspect for M. agassizii. Likewise, for
M. testudineum, 12.2%, 16.3% and 24.3% of the tortoises have had positive or suspect tests. In the fall, the percentage of tortoises
testing positive or suspect increased from 10.8% to 25.0% for M. agassizii and 12.2% to 45.2% for M. testudineum. The spatial
distribution of M. agassizii and M. testudineum was band dependent in 2007 and 2008. Tortoises with positive and suspect M.
agassizii ELISA tests were predominantly in the core in spring (p<0.001) and fall (p<0.001). Tortoises with positive and suspect M.
testudineum tests were present in all bands, but primarily in the middle and core bands in spring (p<0.05) and fall (p≤0.001). We
expect similar patterns in 2009. We have observed high levels of mammalian predation on the plot. As of spring 2009, 83 of the 144
transmittered tortoises were alive, 40 were dead, 14 were missing, 6 had their transmitters detached and 1 was salvaged for necropsy.
The majority of the shell-skeletal remains have shown evidence of predation. In addition, the 6 recovered transmitters showed signs of
chewing. The heterogeneous nature of the Daggett study plot provides opportunities to compare differences in abiotic and biotic
attributes from a single location. Furthermore, the opportunity also exists to understand how the variability in these features affects the
spatial distribution and transmission of disease. Future analyses are proposed to quantify additional abiotic (topography, surficial
geology, man-made obstructions) and biotic (home range, contact rates, past population demographics) variables that can be included
in this model. The incorporation of one or more of these variables will improve the ability of a risk model to predict the potential for
disease outbreaks in tortoise populations and ultimately contribute to recovery efforts for the Mojave population.
The Chelonian Fauna of Sardinia and Corsica
TORSTEN BLANCK
Forstgartenstr. 44, 8530 Deutschlandsberg, AUSTRIA [cuora_yunnanensis@yahoo.com]
The islands of Sardinia and Corsica, both located in the Thyrrenian Sea are the second and fourth largest islands of the Mediterranean
and form one of the last strongholds of the highly endangered Testudo hermanni hermanni, which is disappearing quickly throughout
its range on the European mainland. Sardinia is one of the European hotspots for Chelonians, the only area, where four different
species of turtles and tortoises can be found, these are the endemic Emys orbicularis capolongoi, Testudo hermanni hermanni, Testudo
graeca and Testudo marginata. While the former two are considered to be native to the island, as substantiated by prehistoric
excavations, Testudo marginata is certainly introduced and Testudo graeca is suspected to be of human release too, even though it is
11
still unknown when these species arrived on the island. But several speculations like a release of Testudo marginata during the Roman
Empire and of Testudo graeca by the Phoenicians or Carthagans is favored by most European authors. The morphotype of Testudo
marginata was described as an own subspecies, Testudo marginata sarda, but was shown to be genetically identical to specimens
from Greece. The same is true for Testudo graeca, described as Testudo graeca sarda, and T.g.sardinia, genetically identical to
Testudo graeca nabeulensis from Tunisia. Considering the suspected, rather recent (i.e. 2000-3000 year) introductions of these two
species into this island, it appears astonishing, that both species occur in large numbers and rather large areas of the island, especially
Testudo graeca occurring throughout the western and southern part of the island, sometimes sympatrically with Testudo hermanni.
Corsica, located only 12km north of Sardinia, is home to the endemic Emys orbicularis lanzai and Testudo hermanni hermanni.
Interestingly, no Testudo marginata is found in the south, despite the occurrence of this species in the sand dunes of northern Sardinia.
While Testudo hermanni on Sardinia prefers the higher Maccia and forests, on Corsica it is found in almost every type of landscape,
from the low Garrigue to the oak forests and in fairly higher numbers than on Sardinia. Sardinian Emys orbicularis are found in all
kinds of water accumulation, even in brackish water; its sister subspecies is far more specialized on Corsica. Once considered to only
inhabit ponds, it is also found in slow moving, densely vegetated streams. The populations of Testudo hermanni hermanni on both
islands are hypothesized by most European researchers to form new subspecies due to their exceptionally large size and several traits
non-typical in other T.h.hermanni populations but rather T.h.boettgeri and T.h.hercegovinensis, this is also partly substantiated by
haplotype differentiation. The main threats for the species on these islands are the increasing numbers of wild boar, illegal collection,
habitat destruction for touristic areas and roads through the habitats. Despite this, the populations of all species observed appear to be
still in a healthy state.
Field Studies: Oral
The Chelonians of the Romanian Dobrogeia
TORSTEN BLANCK
Romania, located in Eastern Europe, offers highly variable landscape from the high mountains with a harsh continental climate in the
west to the delta of the Danube and the Dobrogeia located at the black sea in the east. Only a few herpetologists have studied the
chelonian species occurring in this country to date. Romania is the terra typica of Testudo hermanni boettgeri, which is generally
considered to only occur in a small remote area in the southwest of the country at the Iron Gate along the Serbian boundary. However,
recent findings of two specimens in the southeastern part of the country (i.e. in the Dobrogeia delta region) required a visit of this area,
which led to the finding of further specimens substantiating its natural occurrence in the area. The Dobrogeia is generally the home of
Testudo graeca ibera, which is found in significant numbers throughout this province, from the lowland areas along the sea coast to
the mountainous peaks up to 460m elevation. The climate in the Dobrogeia is dominated by cold winters (down to -30°C and 2m of
snow in January) and hot and dry summers (30-40°C from June-September) and thus forms one of the rather extreme areas for
chelonians in Europe. Testudo graeca ibera is found in dense forests, sand dunes and even on the hardly vegetated mountainside,
showing a high level of morphologic and phenotypic variability. Testudo hermanni boettgeri is only found in and along forested areas,
occurring sympatrically with T.g.ibera in its southern Dobrogeian habitat, but is much rarer than the latter. Emys orbicularis
orbicularis “Danube Variety” will probably soon be described as a new subspecies and occurs in most areas of Romania, including in
the delta of the Danube, but is rare in the rest of the Dobrogeia, with the exception of the Braila peninsula, a relic of the communist
agricultural history. The species is found in irrigation channels there and reaches considerably larger sizes than in other areas of its
distribution. Testudo hermanni boettgeri must be considered highly endangered in the Dobrogeia since most of its habitat has been
turned into agricultural landscape during the last century. Emys orbicularis, and especially Testudo graeca, ibera are not yet
endangered, the latter showing population densities that are pretty unique in European Testudo populations.
Field Studies: Oral
Tracking Cuora mccordi in Southern China
TORSTEN BLANCK
In August 2008, the habitat of Cuora mccordi was revisited for a one month lasting field survey to study the natural history of Cuora
mccordi and sympatric species. Unique video footage of Platysternon megacephalum, Sacalia quadriocellata, Geoemyda spengleri
and Cuora mouhotii (forming the first record of the species on the Chinese mainland) among with new data on Cuora mccordi are
presented.
Video Night
Visits at Chinese Turtle Farms and a Sea Turtle Head Starting Facility
TORSTEN BLANCK
China has a long and demanding history in the consumption of turtles for medical and food purposes which has led to the near
extirpation of most Asian turtle species. While the captive cultivation of turtles in China has been practicised for centuries, during the
1980’s, several large turtle farms were established to provide large scale breeding of the higher valued species, especially Cuora
12
trifasciata, Cuora cyclornata, Mauremys sinensis, Mauremys reevesi and Mauremys mutica. Nowadays, nearly 20000 hectares in
southern China are covered with turtle farms, ranging from 0.5-66 hectares each. During 2005 and 2009, eight turtle farms in the
Chinese provinces of Hongkong, Guangdong, Guangxi and Zhejiang were visited by the author (some several times); among them the
largest mainland farms for hard-shelled turtles, located in Guangdong and Guangxi and the largest Cuora trifasciata/Cuora cyclornata
farm, located in Guangdong. Apart from Asian species, many farms also produce specifically United States species (e.g. Chelydra
serpentina and Trachemys scripta) but also more exotic species like Hydromedusa, Phrynops and even Centrochelys sulcata. More
than 6000 hatchlings of Cuora trifasciata, one of the most endangered and high priced species of China’s endemic turtle species, are
produced by these farms, along with 21 other species, producing more than 30 million hatchlings each year. While captive bred
specimens do not yet satisfy the Chinese demand and most farms still frequently restock their farms with wild caught specimen, these
farms form an important part in taking away pressure from the remaining wild populations. Nesting beaches for sea turtles are sparse
in China and only one seems to have remained on the mainland, namely near Gangkou, Guangdong Province. This area is strictly
protected and the Gangkou national sea turtle natural reserve has been created which includes a head-starting facility for Chelonia
mydas, where more than 1000 specimens are raised and released into the sea each year.
Post Icebreaker Address:
Reintroduction as a Conservation Tool for Blanding’s Turtles
KURT A. BUHLMANN 1, TRACEY D. TUBERVILLE 1, STEPHANIE KOCH 2 , BRIAN BUTLER 3 , VERONICA PALMERO 3, JASON ST.
SAUVER 2, EILEEN MCGOURTY 2
1
University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Lab, Aiken, South Carolina, USA [kbuhlmann@earthlink.net,
tracey.tuberville@gmail.com]
2
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sudbury, Massachusetts, USA
3
Oxbow Associates, Inc., Boxborough, Massachusetts, USA
The use of reintroduction as a conservation tool for amphibians and reptiles has been debated in the literature and among scientists and
conservation biologists. We constructed a decision-making tree to help resource managers and conservation biologists determine if
reintroduction or population augmentation might be an appropriate tool in certain circumstances. Using the Blanding’s turtle as our
target species we have a designed a reintroduction protocol that involves identification of a suitable recipient site given the landscape
needs of this species, genetic concerns, and evaluation of threats that may have caused the species local extirpation initially. We
identified an appropriate donor population for reintroduction stock with consideration given to that population’s demography and
potential impacts to that population. We evaluated various life stages (i.e., hatchlings, head-started hatchlings, juveniles) to be
considered or rejected for use. Using life history traits of Blanding’s turtles we also modeled the numbers of animals required and
over how many years to achieve the eventual goal of a viable, self-sustaining population on the recipient site. Results of a pilot
reintroduction project based on the findings above will also be presented.
Turtles, a River, People – a Symbiosis – an Australian Package
MARILYN CONNELL
Tiaro Landcare Group
P O Box 95, Tiaro. 4650 Queensland AUSTRALIA [marilyn.connell@bigpond.com]
In the late 1990’s, a Masters student who was researching the ecology of Elusor macrurus, alerted Tiaro & District Landcare group to
the presence and plight of this endangered, monotypic turtle which lived ‘in our backyard.’ It was ‘our’ responsibility to increase its
chances of survival. Threats include egg predation, low recruitment, changes in hydrology and streamflow, instream and terrestrial
habitat loss and degradation, invasive aquatic weeds reducing water quality. Water quality affects the length of time hatchlings can
remain submerged. Hatchlings can remain underwater for 2.5 days without the need for surfacing. Throughout the past eight years, our
Landcare Group has initiated a range of conservation actions. These encompass monitoring nesting banks, predator control, water
quality monitoring, a public awareness campaign and funding a support scholarship for a tertiary student. This association with the
University of Queensland brings mutual benefits to both organisations. Through concern for the Mary River Turtle, people have
embraced the value in caring for the country and the benefits of caring for the river. It has been a catalyst to link science, conservation
and farming. For a viable population of this ecological specialist to be maintained, we must continue to protect the river and its
associated habitat, and most importantly, keep consuming chocolate turtles.
Community Conservation: Oral
Eight years of conserving wild Mary River turtles in Australia
MARILYN CONNELL
Tiaro Landcare Group, P O Box 95, Tiaro. 4650 Queensland AUSTRALIA [marilyn.connell@bigpond.com]
Since 2001, Tiaro Landcare has been involved with protecting Mary River turtle nests. The Mary River turtle exhibits high nest site
fidelity and returns to the same pool each season. Historical records indicate they nested en masse. Nesting occurs from October to
January each year. As a first line of protection, the main nesting banks are fenced to help keep out unwanted animals, such as cattle,
foxes, dogs and goannas. In the early hours of the morning, nesting banks are monitored to identify all nests which are tagged and
13
individually protected. Over the past eight years results have been quite varied with the number of nests recorded annually ranging
from 17 to 79. Sex of the hatchling is not determined by temperature during incubation. Climatic conditions have a significant impact
on nesting and hatching and the data we are able to collect. In the 2003—04 season, only 3 nests were found at the end of the season
due to some being covered by up to half a metre of deposited sediment. In 2004 05 season, many nests were inundated by flood waters
resulting in 207 unhatched eggs and 136 undeveloped eggs. Over 1,500 eggs have successfully hatched as a direct result of this
project.
Chelonian Conservation: Oral
Movements and Home Range of Eastern Box Turtles in a Forested Habitat and Future Impacts of Timber Harvests *
ANDREA CURRYLOW, BRIAN MACGOWAN, AND ROD N. WILLIAMS
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN 46805 USA
[andesmail@yahoo.com]
Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) are geographically widespread throughout the eastern forests, yet many locations
are experiencing precipitous population declines. Many aspects of their biology have been studied, but little is known regarding
habitat use, dispersal, and home range size following timber harvests. We tracked the movements of adult eastern box turtles using
radio telemetry from 2007-08 as part of the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment in south-central Indiana. Transmitters were attached to
23 (15♂:8♀) and 27 (18♂:9♀) turtles in six pre-treatment (harvest) areas. Each year turtles were tracked intensively during annual
activity periods (May-October). Home ranges were calculated as Minimum Convex Polygons (MCP) using Hawth’s Analysis Tools
for ArcGIS. Home range sizes for sedentary adults ranged from 0.8 to 19.0 hectares. Home range size did not significantly vary
between the sexes with averages of 3.55 hectares for sedentary males and 2.89 hectares for sedentary females. During the autumn and
winter of 2008-09, timber harvests were implemented to treatment areas in which box turtles were tracked. Intensive radio-tracking of
eastern box turtles will continue for a minimum two years post-harvest. Behavioral responses to the harvest treatments in addition to
home range shifts will be recorded and analyzed. This experimental design using radio telemetry data and direct observation of a wild
turtle population prior to and in response to anthropogenic habitat alteration is the first of its kind. Ultimately, the results of this
research can influence management decisions to enhance box turtle habitat on forested lands.
Poster: Student
Effect of Egg-Incubation and Acclimation Temperature on Selected Temperature by
Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) from Grundy County, Iowa *
ANDREW B. CYR AND JEFFREY W. TAMPLIN
Department of Biology; University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421 USA [email]
Effective thermoregulation and the ability to select preferred temperature is an important factor influencing fitness in hatchling turtles.
Treatment groups of hatchling Chrysemys picta incubated at either 27.5°C or 30.0°C and acclimated to either 20°C or 25°C selected
different temperatures in an aquatic thermal gradient of 14 – 34°C. Turtles visited fewer chambers and switched chambers in the
gradient tank less frequently when the gradient was present than during control tests. Acclimation temperature affected movement;
25°C-acclimated turtles moved more frequently than 20°C-acclimated turtles in both control and gradient tests. Acclimation
temperature also affected temperature selection; 20°C-acclimated turtles selected preferred temperatures, whereas 25°C-acclimated
turtles did not. Incubation temperature affected selected temperature in 20°C-acclimated turtles only; turtles incubated at 27.5°C
selected the warmest temperature available (34°C); turtles incubated at 30°C selected the two coldest temperatures available (14°C,
18°C).
Poster: (Student)
Loneliest Animals
SCOTT DAVIS
Video Night
Captive husbandry and successful reproduction of black-breasted leaf turtles (Geoemyda spengleri) *
JEFF DAWSON
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., P. O. Box 400, Powell, OH 43065 USA
Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kearney, NE 68849 USA [jeffrey.e.dawson@gmail.com]
The Black-breasted Leaf Turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) is a small, terrestrial chelonian native to mountainous regions of Vietnam and
China. Currently, this species is listed as endangered by the IUCN. While the first known captive reproduction of this species occurred
during the 1980s, ex situ reproduction often still remains problematic. In 2004, I acquired 4.3 adult G. spengleri for my private
collection. This group consisted of long-term captives with all of the individuals having been with the previous owner for at least six
years. However, although the turtles laid eggs regularly, none had successfully hatched. In 2005, I had my first successful hatchlings
and have produced offspring every year since. Most (85%) clutches consist of a single egg, but each female may lay up to three
clutches per year. Mean dimensions of the eggs are 37 mm by 20 mm (n = 5) and mean mass is 8.9 g (n = 8). Overall hatching
14
success has been 83% (15 of 18). Hatchlings average 6.5 g (n = 4) in mass and may take several weeks after hatching before they
begin to eat. Juveniles are housed individually and require high humidity in order to prevent shell deformities. I attribute my success
with G. spengleri to: 1) keeping the adults in relatively spacious, planted enclosures with high humidity and cool temperatures; 2)
feeding a varied diet; and 3) incubating the eggs in moist conditions at cool temperatures (mean 23.9 ± 0.5°C, range 21.5 - 28.0 °C)
with good air exchange.
WCT Captive Studies: Oral (Student)
Turtle Survival Alliance Africa, First Steps
TOMAS DIAGNE
Nature Tropicale Senegal PO Box 657, Rufisque 25022 SENEGAL [fondsdev@yahoo.fr]
The Africa section of TSA was created for the study and conservation of African tortoises and terrapins. It is composed of 11
members; regional advisors and nationals from all the regions of the continent. It is a new group with big ambitions. In order to
achieve the work objectives, the first priority is capacity building for the members. Another important objective is the production and
dissemination of field manuals for species identification in three languages: English, French and Portuguese.
Africa: Oral
Status and Distribution of Terrapins and Tortoises in Ghana, Togo and Benin, West Africa
TOMAS DIAGNE
Nature Tropicale Senegal PO Box 657, Rufisque 25022 SENEGAL [fondsdev@yahoo.fr]
During two months from October to December 2008, a field survey to evaluate the presence and status of tortoise and terrapin species
was conducted by the author across three western African countries. The fieldwork permitted confirmation of the presence and
conservation status of three species of tortoises and six other species of freshwater terrapins, including the famous giant African
softshell turtle Cyclanorbis elegans. The principal threats identified were habitat loss and consumption of turtles as food by local
human populations.
Poster
Testing the Reliability of Age Determination in the Egyptian Tortoise *
KATHRYN DUFFYΠ AND OMAR ATTUM
Indiana University Southeast, School of Natural Sciences, 4201 Grant Line Road, New Albany, Indiana 47150 USA
[duffyk@umail.iu.edu]
The Egyptian tortoise is one of the smallest, most endangered, and the least studied tortoises in the world. Their numbers are declining
rapidly due to habitat loss and trade as pets. Counting shell growth rings is a popular method for aging tortoises, but the accuracy must
be validated for each species. Age estimation is valuable because it can be used for population modeling and population viability
analysis, which can help scientists to determine what measures to take to reduce a population’s likelihood of going extinct. The
objective of this research is to determine if the age of Egyptian tortoises can be reliably estimated by counting the growth rings on
their shells, and how age and maturity affect accuracy.
Poster: (Student)
Turtle Tales – Local Beliefs and Legends Helping to Conserve the Pig-nosed Turtle on the Kikori River, Papua New Guinea*
CARLA C. EISEMBERG1, MARK ROSE2, ARTHUR GEORGES1
1
Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, ACT 2601, AUSTRALIA;
2
Fauna & Flora International, Jupiter House, 4th Floor, Station Road, Cambridge UK; [eisemberg@aerg.canberra.edu.au]
Freshwater turtles have been an important source of protein for indigenous communities for many centuries, and the people of the
Kikori region, Papua New Guinea, are no exception. One species, the pig-nosed turtle, Carettochelys insculpta, is of great concern
because of its special status as the sole survivor of a once widespread family of turtles, its restricted distribution and high harvest
pressure. Six major tribes live in our study area: Kasere, Rumu, Porome, Kibiri, Kerewo and Urama. These groups are further
subdivided into networks of clans and lineages, each of which has their own territorial estates. Each tribal group has their own beliefs
and legends on the Pig-nosed turtle. Their stories usually explain aspects of biology, but some convey traditional practices that have
coincident consequences for harvest practices. These beliefs may moderate harvest of the pig-nosed turtle where they forbid the major
age group, children and young people, from consuming turtle meat. Changes in harvest practices in the last 30 years, together with the
increase in the human population, are leading to declining pig-nosed turtle abundances. Conservation and management programs in
this area need to recognize the differences between tribes and regions in their cultural perspectives if opportunities for effective
conservation action are to be identified and put into action.
Community Conservation: Oral (Student)
15
Let’s Save Piggy – Grassroots Environmental Education and the Pig-nosed Turtle of the Kikori River, Papua New Guinea *
CARLA C. EISEMBERG1, FERNANDO A. PERINI2, ARTHUR GEORGES1
1
Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, ACT 2601, AUSTRALIA [eisemberg@aerg.canberra.edu.au]
2
Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL
The pig-nosed turtle, Carettochelys insculpta, is a valuable source of protein for many communities in Papua New Guinea. Although
many consider the populations an unlimited resource, they are keen to ensure its future. We present two successful endeavours to
bring awareness regarding the pig-nosed turtle conservation in the Kikori district, Papua New Guinea. During 2008 and 2009, we
distributed five thousand copies of a book “The Adventures of Piggy in the Kikori River” to the schools and villages around the Kikori
region. This book tells the story of Piggy, a pig-nosed turtle, and shows its life cycle and threats. We employed cartoons and games to
make the information more accessible. We also produced a radio program called “Piku on Radio”, consisting of six scripts performed
by the Kopi and Kikori primary and secondary school students. It was broadcast weekly on the local CDI-FM radio station for one
month. The main goal of the book and radio-play was to teach basic concepts about pig-nosed turtle biology and conservation. These
activities demonstrate the great potential for targeted community action on the ground in villages to increase awareness of the issues
surrounding turtle conservation and sustainability of harvest. Such programs assist the communities to decide on what actions should
be taken, build constituency and build ownership over those decisions, and to agree and implement interventions in aid of
conservation.
Poster: (Student)
Habitat Use and Seasonal Movements of the Bog Turtle
Glyptemys (Clemmys) muhlenbergii in Eastern Pennsylvania
RAY FARRELL AND ROBERT ZAPPALORTI
Herpetological Associates, Inc. - Plant and Wildlife Consultants, 575 Toms River Road, Jackson, New Jersey 08527, USA
[rzappalort@aol.com]
The purpose of this study was to identify winter hibernacula and nesting sites, seasonal movements, and habitat use among three
wetlands for the Bog Turtle, Clemmys (Glyptemys) muhlenbergii in northeastern Pennsylvania. We radio-tracked twelve adult turtles
(6 males and 6 females) between April 2001 and October 2002, and an additional nine turtles in 2002 (3 males and 6 females). Radio
transmitters were not removed until each turtle had ceased surface activity and entered its hibernacula for at least two weeks, usually
in mid to late October. The average activity/home range was determined by the Minimum Convex Polygon method for all of the
twenty-one turtles. The activity/ home range varied between 0.13 - 0.71 hectares for those turtles tracked for both years and 0.04 0.53 for those turtles tracked for only one year. It is possible that the home ranges for the radio tracked turtles could have been greater
since the turtles were only tracked once a week. The combined home range of the turtles from wetland one was 0.35 hectares, wetland
two 0.41 and wetland three was 0.12. Radio-tracking revealed some interesting behavior and movement patterns that were previously
not reported in the literature. These included foraging in upland habitats, shifting hibernacula from year to year, movements between
wetland habitats, crossing a three to four meter wide trout stream a meter deep, adjusting to habitat flooding caused by the creation of
a beaver dam;use of underground tunnels as movement corridors and the use of Phragmites as foraging habitat. Radio-tracking also
revealed limited long distant movements, small activity range size, and use of the same habitat for those turtles radio-tracked for both
years. Although radio-tracked turtles were active from mid-April to early October, they were mostly hidden under vegetation, water or
mud for 70% of the observations. May was the only month during their active season where turtles were more often found visible on
the surface.
The Genus formerly known as Clemmys: Oral
More on Options to Oxytocin
MARK FELDMANΠ AND ELIZABETH FELDMAN
PO Box 285, Kerikeri, NEW ZEALAND [nz.feldman@yahoo.com]
Last year we reported to the conference on our efforts to find an agent that induces turtles to lay their eggs with greater efficacy, but
without the side-effects known to occur with oxytocin. This year we returned to the Concordia Turtle Farm so we could again have
access to a large number of animals in order to continue quantitative studies. We have also included larger (common snappers) and
smaller (painted) animals into the evaluation. We have been able to confirm that a combination of oxytocin and prostaglandin F2
alpha (Lutalyse) is about twice as effective as oxytocin alone. Similar results were obtained with dosage ranges of 5-10 units/kg of
oxytocin combined with 1.0-1.5 mg/kg of Lutalyse. Staggering the agents had no advantage over a simple mix. Once mixed, the
combination can be left at room temperatures for up to 48 hours without losing its potency. This characteristic enables researchers to
prepare the mix in the lab ahead of time and then take it into the field. Experiments with the alpha 2 blocker medetomidine (Domitor)
in various combinations have not offered any increased effect. Results with ketamine should be available for the conference. A postinduction follow-up study with marked turtles suggests, but does not prove, that the use of the oxytocin/Lutalyse combination prevents
the delays in ovulation and aberrant nest behavior caused by oxytocin alone.
WTC Captive Studies: Oral
16
The John L Behler Chelonian Conservation Center: Update and Field Work
E. GOODE AND M. RODRIGUES
Video Night
Health, Behavior, and Survival of 158 Tortoises Translocated from Ft. Irwin During the First 15 Months
TIM GOWAN, KRISTIN H. BERRY, AND JEREMY S. MACK
U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553 USA
[kristin_berry@usgs.gov]
Since the late 1980s, new and emerging diseases have been identified as contributors to the decline of some desert tortoise
populations. When tortoises are translocated, their health status and overall condition at the time of translocation are likely to be
factors influencing later well-being and survival. We designed a research project to determine potential effects of translocation on four
groups of adult tortoises with differing health status: 1) healthy or control tortoises, without moderate to severe clinical signs of
infectious disease, trauma, or shell disease; 2) tortoises with moderate to severe clinical signs of past trauma; 3) tortoises with
moderate to severe clinical signs of shell disease; and 4) tortoises with moderate to severe clinical signs of upper respiratory tract
disease (URTD), but with negative laboratory tests and no evidence of nasal discharge. Tortoises were placed on one of four study
plots and subsequently monitored on a regular basis. We are studying whether or not translocatees in each of the four health categories
develop new disease, more severe clinical signs of URTD, more severe cases of shell disease, or new trauma after translocation.
Examples of other factors include differences in survivorship and causes of death among tortoises in the four health status categories,
and differences in the pathogenesis of mycoplasmosis among size classes and sexes. We will summarize the responses of 158 tortoises
(82 females, 76 males) to translocation, from late March of 2008 through June 2008. Health evaluations, which included length and
weight measurements, field observations for clinical signs of disease and trauma, and laboratory testing for disease, were conducted in
spring of 2008 and 2009 and fall of 2008 after translocation. In spring of 2008, after translocation, 4 of 142 tortoises (2.8%) had
positive or suspect ELISA tests for Mycoplasma agassizii and 3 tortoises had positive or suspect ELISA tests for M. testudineum. We
conducted preliminary analyses of movement patterns of translocated tortoises. The distances moved varied significantly among
sexes, study plots, and months following translocation, but not among health groups. We also evaluated how far the tortoises dispersed
from their release points, fidelity to cover sites, and aberrant behaviors. We present our findings in the context of mortality,
differences among sexes, and habitat characteristics. This project will provide useful information for design and management of future
translocation projects.
Mercury Contamination in Turtles and Implications for Human Health *
AALIYAH D. GREENΠ, KURT A. BUHLMANN, CRIS HAGEN, CHRISTOPHER ROMANEK, AND J. WHITFIELD GIBBONS
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29802 USA [aaliyah.green@gmail.com, kbuhlmann@earthlink.net,
tomistoma@yahoo.com, romanek@uga.edu, wgibbons@uga.edu]
Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy, 1858 Lock & Dam Rd., Augusta, GA 30906 USA
Mercury contamination threatens many ecosystems worldwide. Methyl mercury bioaccumulates at each trophic level and
biomagnifies within individuals over time. Long-lived turtles often occupy high trophic positions and are likely to accumulate mercury
in contaminated habitats. Millions of turtles worldwide are sold in Asia for human consumption, and consumers may be at risk if
turtles contain high levels of mercury. We dissected 71 turtles from 14 food trade species and analyzed their tissues (liver, kidneys,
muscle, claws, and scutes) for total mercury content. Mercury was generally highest in carnivores, and lowest in herbivores. Liver and
scutes had the highest concentrations. We compared mercury concentrations with consumption limits developed by the US EPA and
FDA to evaluate mercury in fish tissue. Several samples exceeded the recommended 1900 ppb consumption threshold, indicating that
consumers who eat certain turtle species frequently may be at risk for mercury-related health problems.
Field Studies: Oral (Student)
First Assessment of Mitochondrial Diversity within the Endangered
Nile Softshell Turtle (Trionyx triunguis) in Turkey and Africa
ÖZGÜR GÜCLÜ1, CELAL ULGER1, OĞUZ TURKOZAN1, MICHAEL REIMANN2, YANIV LEVY3,
RICHARD GEMMEL4, SERAP ERGENE5, AŞKIN UCARR5, CEMIL AYMAK5
1
Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Science and Arts, Department of Biology, 09010 Aydın, TURKEY; 2 Neuweg 1, D-55595
Braunweiler, GERMANY; 3 Israel's Sea Turtle Rescue Center, Isreal National Nature & Parks Authority, Mevoot Yam, Mikhmoret
40297, ISRAEL; 4 Naturhistorisches Museum Wien Herpetologische Sammlung Burgring, 7 A-1010 Wien, AUSTRIA; 5 Mersin
University, Faculty of Science and Arts, Department of Biology, Mersin, TURKEY.
Trionyx triunguis is the type and only species of Trionyx, the genus from which the Linnean family name Trionychidae is formed. T.
triunguis populations have been heavily exploited because of its meat and their habitats have been degraded. The Mediterranean
subpopulation of T. triunguis has been listed by IUCN-The World Conservation Union as critically endangered and estimated less
17
than 1,000 adults. However, conservation biology of the declining populations prompts us to initiate applied studies that can help
guide the management and survival of the species. The aim of this study is to provide a preliminary assessment of the genetic variation
of T. triunguis. We screened T. triunguis 26 specimens from Mediterranean coast of Turkey Dalyan (n=3), Dalaman (n=6), Anamur
(n=4), Kazanlı (n=3), Israel Alexander river (n=6) and Africa continent (n=4) using partial 805 bp Cytochorome b (Cytb) and 732
bp NAD 4 genes of mitochondrial DNA. Five mitochondrial DNA haplotypes were found, four of which are reported here for the first
time. The nucleotide divergence between Mediterranean basin and African continent populations was 1.5% ± 0.7%.
Poster
Does Gender Affect Seasonal Microhabitat Selection by Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in Butler County, Iowa?
JEREMY J. HAMMEN AND JEFFREY W. TAMPLIN
Department of Biology; University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421 USA [jeff.tamplin@uni.edu]
We used radio telemetry to study wood turtles at two field sites along the West Fork Cedar River in Butler County, Iowa, to determine
if gender-specific differences occur in seasonal habitat usage, activity patterns, and thermoregulation. We recorded geographic
location, microhabitat type, activity, visibility, turtle body and environmental temperature, light exposure of each individual and
available environmental light intensity for 226 observations on 13 turtles (8 females, 5 males) from March through June, 2005. Habitat
usage differed between males and females in May and shifted from strictly aquatic to aquatic and riparian to terrestrial habitats in both
sexes from March to June. Mean distance from water increased monthly from 0.6 ± 2.9m (March) to 22.1 ± 37.3m (June), but was not
related to gender. Mean monthly body temperature increased from March to June, and was significantly higher than mean
environmental temperatures during April-May. In May, as egg development occurred, females maintained a significantly higher body
temperature than males. In April and May, both males and females selected microhabitats that resulted in exposure to significantly
higher levels of light intensity than environmental averages for terrestrial microhabitats.
Poster
Comments on Comparative Feeding Behavior between Hybrid Turtles
(Glyptemys insculpta and Emydoidea blandingii) and Their Parental Species
JAMES H. HARDING
Michigan State University, 103 Museum, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA [hardingj@msu.edu]
We might reasonably hypothesize that inter-specific or inter-generic chelonian hybrids could either exhibit specific behavioral traits of
one or the other parental species, or could exhibit blended behavioral traits that may either enhance or decrease the efficiency of a
given behavior. In this paper I describe typical aquatic and terrestrial feeding behaviors in Glyptemys insculpta and Emydoidea
blandingii, and then subjectively describe feeding behaviors noted in hybrids of these species. These hybrids do display feeding
behaviors that appear to be a compromise between those of the parentals; this result in less efficient terrestrial feeding, while
efficiency of aquatic feeding is apparently unaffected.
Turtle Races: The Environmental Impacts of Using Turtles for Amusement *
ALEX B. HEEB
Chaffee, MO 63740 [lonerockalex@yahoo.com]
Turtle races are events held at fairs and festivals, primarily in the Midwest and Eastern States. Typically, races are conducted by
placing turtles in the middle of a large circle, with the first turtle exiting the circle being the winner. Although these events have
previously been viewed as sporadic or isolated occurrences, this study documented a grouping of over 430 turtle races in the Midwest
(>520 nationally) which are responsible for the collection of >27,000 wild turtles annually. A total of 14 turtles species were observed
at races, including Terrapene, as well as Glyptemys and Emydoidea at Northeastern races. I discuss issues associated with turtle races,
including captive conditions, release and disease transmission. Also discussed are the results of a two year radio telemetry study on the
fate of box turtles used for turtle races. Another issue, and one of great importance, is the impact turtle racing has on attitudes towards
turtles. Finally I discuss potential solutions that could alleviate many problems caused by turtle races.
Poster: (Student)
Demography, Terrestrial Behavior, and Growth of Sonoran Mud Turtles
(Kinosternon sonoriense) in an Extreme Habitat
FRANK R. HENSLEY1, THOMAS R. JONES2, MANDI S. MAXWELL3, LISA J. ADAMS4, NICOLE STEVENSON NEDELLA5
1
Department of Biology, Trinity Christian College, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights, IL 60463, USA
[Frank.Hensley@trnty.edu]
2
Nongame Branch, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086, USA
3
Department of Mathematics, Trinity Christian College, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights, IL 60463, USA
4
Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
5
Phoenix Baptist Hospital, 2000 W. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85015, USA
18
We studied the population biology of Sonoran mud turtles (Kinosternon sonoriense) for 10 y (402 sampling trips) in an extremely hot
and dry desert stream habitat in central Arizona. Adults made up 34.4% of the population. Modeling with Program MARK indicated
that both age-class (adult vs. juvenile-hatchling) and season contributed significantly to the probability of capture. The presence of
exotic crayfish (Orconectes virilis) and age class were significant contributors to turtle survival, supporting the hypothesis that exotic
crayfish are important predators on hatchlings. Population density estimates indicated extremely low density over the range of water
availability. Both adults and juveniles made long-distance movements along the dry stream bed between pools of water. Males and
females were both likely to make long-distance movements and were sometimes absent from the study site for years at a time. In
addition to terrestrial estivation in foresummer drought, turtles apparently estivated on land in winter when standing water was
available. Growth fit a von Bertalanffy model extremely well. We report the first growth rates for hatchling K. sonoriense. Growth
rates estimated from shell annuli were consistent with similar estimates for older turtles in other studies. Measured growth rates,
however, were much higher than annuli-based estimates. In contrast to other populations, we determined that hatchlings and juveniles
in our study added 1— 3 plastron annuli each year, making age estimation from annuli difficult.
Southwestern Kinosternids: Oral
Genetic Diversity in the Chicken Turtle, Deirochelys reticularia *
NATHANAEL HILZINGER AND DAVID STARKEY
Department of Biology, University of Central Arkansas, 72035 Arkansas, USA [nxh07001@cub.uca.edu]
The Chicken Turtle, Deirochelys reticularia ranges across most of the southeastern United States and is currently divided into three
subspecies based on morphological data. However, a recent molecular study, using restriction site data, indicated the current
taxonomic classification of the subspecies may not accurately reflect the genetic diversity among chicken turtle populations. In this
study, we conducted a genetic analysis of D. reticularia samples from throughout the extant range of this species using 2 mitochondrial
genes (ND4 and control region) and a single anonymous nuclear locus. Ten unique haplotypes were recovered among the individuals
examined and phylogenetic trees were constructed using maximum parsimony, Bayesian, and maximum likelihood analyses. All
analyses produced similar trees with strong bootstrap support for each unique clade that was recovered. Overall, two primary clades
were recovered that corresponded well to an east/west divide between two of the currently recognized subspecies: D. r. reticularia and
D. r. miaria. The third subspecies, D. r. chrysea, showed little genetic diversity when compared to the eastern subspecies, D. r.
reticularia. Overall, the genetic diversity recovered in this preliminary analysis of D. reticularia suggests that chicken turtles exhibit
similar levels of genetic structure to those reported for other chelonians in the southeastern United States.
Genetics: Oral (Student)
Comparative Phylogeography of Two Australian Long-necked Turtle Species
Demonstrate how Molecular Data can Answer Ecological Questions *
KATE HODGESΠ1, ARTHUR GEORGES1, STEVEN DONELLAN2
1
Wildlife Genetics Lab, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra ACT 2601, AUSTRALIA
2
South Australian Museum, Adelaide SA 5001, AUSTRALIA
[Kate.Hodges@canberra.edu.au]
Comparative phylogeography across co-distributed taxa can explain changes in biogeographic regions and species distributions over
space and time. Two Australian longnecks; the broad-shelled turtle Chelodina expansa, and the common longneck turtle Chelodina
longicollis are co-distributed throughout Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) and in some east coast river systems. Using a 1.2kb
fragment of the mitochondrial ND4 and control region genes, comparisons of phylogenetic structure between the two species revealed
that Chelodina expansa has a very shallow gene tree and very little diversity within the MDB, while C. longicollis has two major
mtDNA lineages each also with little diversity within the MDB. This may be indicative of recent and rapid population expansions in
the MDB. Moreover in the MDB both species have substantially less diversity compared with coastal rivers of south eastern QLD and
NSW. The pattern of phylogeographic structure in these two species suggests historical barriers to gene flow and possible colonisation
routes for the MDB, which during the Pleistocene ice-ages is likely to have been largely unsuitable for these turtles. Comparisons of
phylogeographic structure also suggest that the source of expansions are likely to be catchments in north eastern NSW and south east
QLD. Results drawn from this comparative approach also demonstrate the power of molecular markers in addressing ecological
questions. Throughout its temperate zone range the broad-shelled turtle characteristically nests in autumn and winter, a pattern more
typical of warm-temperate and tropical turtles. If the broad-shell turtle population in the MDB was originally founded by populations
in south east Queensland, such an expansion from ancestral sub-tropical waters into the cool-temperate MDB could explain why this
species exhibits such an unusual nesting ecology. The expansion may have been characterised by a strong founder effect, which could
have limited genetic variation in nesting behaviour and physiology and thus the potential to evolve spring nesting which is more
typical of cool-temperate climate turtles.
19
Coupling Genetic Data and Ecological-Niche Modeling for Turtle Conservation *
KATE HODGES1,
1
Wildlife Genetics Lab, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra ACT 2601, AUSTRALIA
[Kate.Hodges@canberra.edu.au]
Knowledge of a species’ distribution is central to ecology, evolution and conservation science. The predictive modeling of ecologicalniches and species distribution has surged in recent years with increasing access to digital occurrence records in museums, greater
availability of detailed environmental and climatic data, and inexpensive and powerful computing. Ecological-niche modelling is
important in understanding the impact of past and future climatic fluctuations on species’ distributions. It can shed light on
divergences accompanying Pleistocene glacial cycles, and inform conservation management for populations under threat of future
global warming. Ecological-niche models are recently being coupled with molecular genetic population data to link the geographic
configuration of population distributions with analysis of genetic differentiation. Reconstructed historical distributions can inform and
validate testable phylogeographic hypothesis, improving on traditional approaches that have been heavily criticized for their liability
to over-interpretation. Further, predictive models of future distributions can direct conservation efforts by highlighting populations at
risk of loosing genetic diversity, and managing these populations to mitigate a loss in diversity at the species level. The coupling of
genetic data and ecological-niche modeling is a powerful new association that allows a stronger examination of the geographic
component of genetic variation.
Population Characteristics and Growth Rate of the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) *
CHRISTOPHER HOWEY1 AND STEVEN DINKELACKER2
1
Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 45701 USA [chris.howey@gmail.com]
2
Department of Biology, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas, 72031 USA [dinkelac@uca.edu]
Prior to gaining protection in 1993, the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) was commercially harvested in Arkansas.
However, basic demographic statistics are still unknown. We conducted a mark-recapture study from 2005-2007 on a population of M.
temminckii. We captured turtles in the East Fork Cadron Creek, which is a slow-moving stream in central Arkansas. We marked each
turtle and recorded morphometrics, mass, and age. The majority of our turtles were younger than 25 y (84%) and average carapace
length was 302 ± 10 mm (mean ± SE). In fact, we believe that most turtles in this population have only recently reached sexual
maturity (ca. 16 y; 300-mm CL). We caught approximately 1 adult for every juvenile and sex ratios were highly female biased (1:6).
As a result of the low number of males captured, sexual size dimorphism was barely detected for our population (P = 0.047). Based on
the current demographics, we suggest that it is plausible that this population was commercially harvested, and the effects of harvest
are still highly present within the current population. However, we also suggest that this population could recover given that there is a
high survivorship rate for both adults (S x = 0.98) and juveniles (S x = 0.71). Although exploitation (i.e., harvest) may explain the
present state of this population’s demographics, other factors (e.g., habitat destruction) may have influenced this population’s
demography.
Last of the giant Asian hardshells; searching for remnant populations
BRIAN D. HORNE
Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES), Zoological Society of San Diego, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road,
Escondido, California, 92027 USA [bhorne@sandiegozoo.org]
Populations of large Asian River turtles have plummeted to levels verging on ecological extinction. There are approximately five
nesting Myanmar roof turtles (Batagur trivittata) left in the wild. In 2009, a single female Cambodian river terrapin (Batagur affinis)
nested along the Sre Ambel River after no nesting was reported in 2008. And, no populations of the mangrove terrapin (Batagur
baska) have been documented in the last ten years with only a dozen animals in captivity that are not reproducing. In 2009, I surveyed
new localities in Cambodia and Myanmar in hopes of finding unknown remnant turtle populations. In Cambodia, I was able to verify
that juveniles of Batagur affinis were occurring outside the Sre Ambel River; and in Myanmar, I was able to extend the historical
range of Batagur trivittata into the Huakang Valley. Yet, even with great strides being made to penetrate the black market trade of
turtles in West Bengal, India we have yet to locate a population of Batagur baska. Herein, I will detail our expeditions into some of
the remotest river systems of Asia in hopes of finding the last of the giant Asian hardshells.
Evolutionary History of the Turtle Family Kinosternidae
COLLEEN INGRAM, MINH LE, AND JOHN B. IVERSON
Department of Biology, Earlham College, Richmond, IN 47374 USA [johni@earlham.edu]
The turtle family Kinosternidae comprises about 25 living species of mud and musk turtles confined to the New World, but reaching
its greatest diversity on northern Mesoamerica. Previous attempts to reconstruct a phylogenetic history of the group have employed
morphological, isozyme, and mitochondrial DNA sequence data (separately and in combination), but have not been successful in
20
producing a well-resolved phylogeny. With tissues from every recognized species and most subspecies (as well as geographic
sampling for most of taxa), we sequenced a total of over 4000 bp of DNA representing three mitochondrial (cytb, ND4, 12S) and three
nuclear DNA genes (Cmos, R35, Rag1, Rag2). Phylogenetic analysis of these data resolved the evolutionary relationships of most taxa
and provided insight into the zoogeographic history of the group.
Orientation in Juveniles of a Semiaquatic Turtle, Kinosternon flavescens
JOHN B. IVERSON, REBECCA L. PROSSER, AND EVAN N. DALTON
Hatchling orientation has been widely studied among marine turtle species, but much less studied in non-marine turtles. Yellow mud
turtles (Kinosternon flavescens) exhibit an unusual semiaquatic life history with terrestrial estivation or hibernation in summer through
winter and aquatic mating and feeding in spring and early summer. Hence, these turtles migrate between wetlands and uplands at least
twice each year, along the same migration path. To understand the orientation methods used by these turtles as well as their
acquisition in juveniles, hatchling and second-year mud turtles emerging from hibernation were captured before reaching the water
and released in one of two circular arenas placed out of sight of and on the opposite side of the wetland. Recapture locations of turtles
along the perimeter of the arenas suggested that hatchlings used visual cues (probably polarized light) to orient toward water.
However, second-year turtles maintained the same compass bearing used prior to initial capture, suggesting that they employed an
internal compass mechanism that was not overridden by light cues. Our results imply that this compass mechanism is acquired during
the first year of life, but not during the initial migration to water.
Life History Evolution in the Turtle Family Kinosternidae
JOHN B. IVERSON, REBECCA L. PROSSER, AND EVAN N. DALTON
The mud and musk turtles of the family Kinosternidae exhibit a surprising diversity of life history traits, from north temperate to
tropical, from rain forest to grasslands to desert, from totally aquatic to semi-terrestrial, from adult body sizes of 10 to 38 cm, from
those capable of submerged fully aquatic respiration to those capable of estivating underground for more than nine months a year,
from those with a greatly reduced plastron to those capable of completely closing the shell, from spring nesters to summer nesters to
nearly year-round nesters, from those with direct embryonic development to those with early embryonic diapause and/or late
embryonic estivation (incubation times from 56 to over 366 days), from those with genetic sex determination to those with
temperature-dependent sex determination, and from those producing one or two relatively huge eggs to those producing ten or more
relatively tiny eggs. The availability of a well-resolved phylogeny for this family now permits an examination of the evolution of this
life history diversity for the first time.
Assessment of Population Structure and Hybridization in Extant Trachemys gaigeae Populations
in the Rio Grande: an Application of Molecular Methods in Turtle Conservation *
J. JACKSONΠ1, M.R.J. FORSTNER1, J.R. DIXON2
1
Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos TX, USA [jj1161@txstate.edu]
2
Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection, Texas A&M University, College Station TX, USA
Trachemys gaigeae is a freshwater turtle endemic to the Rio Grande/Rio Conchos basin in the Chihuahuan desert. Much of this
species’ historic range has been greatly affected by irrigation withdrawals, impoundment, and exotic vegetation. T. gaigeae is
considered by many to have been extirpated from 1/3 or more of its range for quite some time. No recent information is available on
the distribution of this species in the Rio Conchos. Introduction of a non-native congener, Trachemys scripta elegans, within the range
of T. gaigeae has resulted in hybridization of the two species in some areas. We have employed contemporary molecular methods
(microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA) to evaluate the current status and structure of T. gaigeae populations, as well as the
extent of and potential threat from hybridization with introduced species. Our results have demonstrated that population substructure is
present in extant T. gaigeae populations, and that hybridization has occurred.
Overview of Alternative Energy Resources for Turtle and Tortoise Husbandry
GLEN M. JACOBSEN
World Chelonian Trust, Minnesota Herpetological Society
Whether you are tired of paying high electricity bills, are conservation minded or just don’t have ready access to power where you
need it, there are solutions that will work in your situation. These might include wind powered air pumps to keep water aerated and
circulating, solar cells for general electrical generation and wind turbines from small to large.
WCT Captive Studies: Oral
21
Life History, Ecology, and Status of the Ringed Sawback, Graptemys oculifera
R.L. JONES
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Museum of Natural Science, 2148 Riverside Drive, Jackson, Mississippi
39202 USA [bob.jones@mmns.state.ms.us]
Graptemys oculifera is restricted to the Pearl River system of Mississippi and Louisiana, where it is found primarily in the main
channel of the Pearl River and its largest tributary, the Bogue Chitto River. Most of what is known about this species is a result of
research conducted over the last 30 years. The ringed sawback is most abundant in larger streams with moderate currents, sandbars,
and basking structure in the form of deadwood. Males mature between two and four years of age, and females between 10 and 16
years. Nesting occurs primarily on sandbars from May to July, average clutch size is 3.66 eggs, modal clutch size is three, and clutch
size range is from 1- 10 eggs. Most females produce only one clutch each year, but some individuals may produce two or perhaps
three clutches in a season. Nest predation is relatively high, with approximately 86% destroyed by vertebrate predators, usually
raccoons, fish crows, or armadillos. Invertebrates can also be significant predators of hatchlings. The diet is composed primarily of
aquatic insects. Density estimates range from 90 to over 340 turtles per river km. Some G. oculifera of both sexes marked as adults
over 20 years ago are still alive, so they are minimally approximately 24 (males) and 31 (females) years old. Primary threats to the
species appear to be habitat modification, fragmentation, and sedimentation.
Graptemys: Oral
Onboard “Tortoise-Cam” Applications in Ethological and Ecological Research
JAMES JUVIK1, ROSALINDA PALOMO RAMOS2, A. ROSS KIESTER1Π,
MICHEALENE LAUKEA-LUM3 AND PETER PRASCHAG1
1
John L. Behler Chelonian Center, P.O. Box 1289, Ojai, CA. 93023 USA [jjuvik@hawaii.edu, rkiester@gmail.com,
Peter@praschag.at]
2
Turner Endangered Species Fund, Ladder Ranch, HCR 31, Box 95, Caballo, NM 87913 USA [rpalram@yahoo.com]
3
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Hawaii-Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720 USA
[micheale@Hawaii.edu]
Recent commercial availability of technologically advanced miniature, digital video “Spy”, “Nanny” and “Critter” cameras presents a
suite of new generation recording equipment that can be deployed directly on the backs of turtles and tortoises for field data collection
in support of ethological and ecological research. Recording video and audio cameras are now available in sizes as small as 15 x 22 x
32 mm (9 gm + 33 gm for battery pack). These cameras either use wireless data transmission (typical range to 100 m) or onboard
digital storage in Micro-SD cards (1-8 Gb) that allow 2-4 hours of continuous recording. Some models offer motion detection “on-off”
capability, recording only when movement occurs in the field-of-view, that stores up to 20 hours of interrupted video and audio data.
Waterproof housings are also available for some models. In ongoing studies at the Behler Chelonian Center of audible and possibly
low frequency infrasound communication between tortoises of the genus Manouria, we needed to capture time-coded behaviors that
could be potentially linked to specific and distinct audio calls. Because tortoises move, fixed “long-shot” video cameras or the
continuous presence of a camera operator to follow tortoise movements were found unsuitable for monitoring subtle, continuous
behavioral interactions. In a short video montage we illustrate examples of tortoise-cam applications in support of research on simple
behavioral interaction (Astrochelys radiata), audio call-response (Manouria emys), intra-specific combat (Manouria impressa), and
feeding preferences in a natural desert environment (Gopherus flavomarginatus).
Field Studies: Oral
Community Based Ecosystem Conservation Approach in Preserving the Testudines of Sri Lanka
THUSHAN KAPURUSINGHE
Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) - Sri Lanka, 11, Perera Mw, Madakumbura, Panadura, Western - LK SRI LANKA
[kjthushan@yahoo.co.uk; turtle@sltnet.lk]
Eight species of native Testudines inhabit Sri Lankan terrestrial and aquatic habitats. These include five species of sea turtles namely
the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), Leatherback turtle
(Dermochelys coriacea) and the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). In addition, two species of fresh water turtles and one
species of land tortoises are also found in Sri Lanka. These include Asian pond turtle or black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga), Flap shell
turtle (Lissemys punctata) and Star tortoise (Geochelone elegans). All species of turtles and tortoises are threatened due to factors such
as indiscriminate exploitation for meat and eggs, degradation of natural habitats, road kills, water pollution, turtle by-catch and manmade fires, etc. The Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) established in 1993 with the aim of protecting marine turtle conservation
realized the chain connection between the coastal communities and coastal resources, which heavily depend on each other. As a
solution, TCP has developed an innovative concept which is referred as the ‘Community Based Ecosystem Conservation Approach’
(CBECA) to address the problems described. Community of Rekawa (a small fishing village located in southern Sri Lanka) was
heavily exploiting marine and coastal resources including all species of testudines due to poverty and lack of awareness. TCP has
implemented an innovative concept which is referred as the CBECA in the conservation of marine and coastal resources and poverty
alleviation, a multi-pronged approach with seven main components: 1). community livelihood development, 2). community
infrastructure development, 3). environmental restoration and management, 4). community awareness/capacity development, 5).
22
partnership building/networking, 6). knowledge management and sharing (current & traditional knowledge), 7). utilization of local
culture. TCP has improved the socioeconomic conditions and well being of the community through CBECA. There, TCP implemented
various community based projects at the same time, through different CBOs. TCP has formed CBOs such as community Batik group,
Fish breeding group, sewing, coir mat, bee keeping, agro farming etc and provided alternative livelihood development skills training
for these CBO members. TCP also provided the equipment and initial stocks of material/raw material. Further, initial capital needs
were met through the revolving fund scheme. TCP has implemented infrastructure development programs such as renovation of rural
roads in order to facilitate local tourism and other businesses. In addition, TCP has established a public library, public bus halting
places and drinking water facilities. TCP has also implemented community skills development programs such as primary school
programs, computer classes, free English language classes, swimming training and disaster preparedness training. Children’s clubs
were established in order to involve children in the coastal eco-system conservation and management process, providing them with
necessary awareness through various educational programs. TCP has also implemented community health programs such as, medical
clinics, free herbal drinks for school children, community welfare services and first aid training.The TCP developed multiple
partnerships in order to make the project a success. TCP facilitated networking of CBOs into an umbrella organization/consortium of
CBOs. Later this was linked to relevant government institutions, local business organizations, and international organizations such as
the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), UN Volunteer Program, SCOTIA- USAID, UNDP GEF SGP, MercyCorps, etc. for
necessary training, business links, marketing opportunities etc. For example, SCOTIA-USAID helped the community Batik Group, by
financing a production facility in Rekawa. Mercy Corps helped both the Batik and Coir Groups by financing for kiosks at 10 large
hotels in Tangalle, to display and sell community products. The Wildlife Conservation Department has been invited and involved in
the project to enforce the law and also to declare the Rakawa beach as Sri Lanka’s first Marine Turtle Sanctuary.
Community Based Ecosystem Conservation Approach in Preserving the Testudines of Sri Lanka
Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) - Sri Lanka, 11, Perera Mw, Madakumbura, Panadura, Western - LK SRI LANKA
Eight species of native Testudines inhabit Sri Lankan terrestrial and aquatic habitats. These include five species of sea turtles namely
the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), Leatherback turtle
(Dermochelys coriacea) and the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). In addition, two species of fresh water turtles and one
species of land tortoises are also found in Sri Lanka. These include Asian pond turtle or black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga), Flap shell
turtle (Lissemys punctata) and Star tortoise (Geochelone elegans). All species of turtles and tortoises are threatened due to factors such
as indiscriminate exploitation for meat and eggs, degradation of natural habitats, road kills, water pollution, turtle by-catch and manmade fires, etc. The Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) established in 1993 with the aim of protecting marine turtle conservation
realized the chain connection between the coastal communities and coastal resources, which heavily depend on each other. As a
solution, TCP has developed an innovative concept which is referred as the ‘Community Based Ecosystem Conservation Approach’
(CBECA) to address the problems described. Community of Rekawa (a small fishing village located in southern Sri Lanka) was
heavily exploiting marine and coastal resources including all species of testudines due to poverty and lack of awareness. TCP has
implemented an innovative concept which is referred as the CBECA in the conservation of marine and coastal resources and poverty
alleviation, a multi-pronged approach with seven main components: 1). community livelihood development, 2). community
infrastructure development, 3). environmental restoration and management, 4). community awareness/capacity development, 5).
partnership building/networking, 6). knowledge management and sharing (current & traditional knowledge), 7). utilization of local
culture. TCP has improved the socioeconomic conditions and well being of the community through CBECA. There, TCP implemented
various community based projects at the same time, through different CBOs. TCP has formed CBOs such as community Batik group,
Fish breeding group, sewing, coir mat, bee keeping, agro farming etc and provided alternative livelihood development skills training
for these CBO members. TCP also provided the equipment and initial stocks of material/raw material. Further, initial capital needs
were met through the revolving fund scheme. TCP has implemented infrastructure development programs such as renovation of rural
roads in order to facilitate local tourism and other businesses. In addition, TCP has established a public library, public bus halting
places and drinking water facilities. TCP has also implemented community skills development programs such as primary school
programs, computer classes, free English language classes, swimming training and disaster preparedness training. Children’s clubs
were established in order to involve children in the coastal eco-system conservation and management process, providing them with
necessary awareness through various educational programs. TCP has also implemented community health programs such as, medical
clinics, free herbal drinks for school children, community welfare services and first aid training.The TCP developed multiple
partnerships in order to make the project a success. TCP facilitated networking of CBOs into an umbrella organization/consortium of
CBOs. Later this was linked to relevant government institutions, local business organizations, and international organizations such as
the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), UN Volunteer Program, SCOTIA- USAID, UNDP GEF SGP, MercyCorps, etc. for
necessary training, business links, marketing opportunities etc. For example, SCOTIA-USAID helped the community Batik Group, by
financing a production facility in Rekawa. Mercy Corps helped both the Batik and Coir Groups by financing for kiosks at 10 large
hotels in Tangalle, to display and sell community products. The Wildlife Conservation Department has been invited and involved in
the project to enforce the law and also to declare the Rakawa beach as Sri Lanka’s first Marine Turtle Sanctuary.
23
Community Awareness and Capacity Building to Advance Testudine Conservation in Sri Lanka
Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) - Sri Lanka, 11, Perera Mw, Madakumbura, Panadura, Western -LK SRI LANKA
The TCP’s community awareness programs and capacity development programmes turned egg poachers into nest protectors. 32
former egg poachers are being now employed as nest protectors in Kosgoda and Rekawa villages. Furthermore, with the assistance of
Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB), TCP trained these locals and licensed them as eco tour guides. Thus the villagers joined hands with
TCP in protecting the environment for sustainable livelihoods giving up their destructive practices. TCP formed small community
groups or Community Based Organizations (CBOs) such as the Community Batik Group, Community Sewing Group, Community
Ornamental Fish Breeding Group and Turtle Nest Protector Group in Kosgoda and Rekawa villages in order to implement various
community livelihood development projects. Working through these CBOs facilitated the implementation of various projects. Through
the projects, TCP was able to develop infrastructure facilities such as primary school, bus halting places, which can be considered
strengths in implementing projects (both present and future) in these villages. The varied benefits local community received (both
direct and indirect) in Kosgoda and Rekawa villages initiated a positive attitude towards TCP within the community. This was a
positive feature when implementing the latter phase of the project and will be so in implementing future projects. In addition, TCP has
also implemented community skills development programs such as primary school programs, computer classes, free English language
classes, sewing training and disaster preparedness training. Children’s clubs were established in order to involve children in the coastal
eco-system conservation and management process, providing them with necessary awareness through various educational programs.
Poster
Present Status of Sri Lankan Testudines
Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) - Sri Lanka, 11, Perera Mw, Madakumbura, Panadura, Western -LK SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka is considered as one of the ‘hot spots’ for the biodiversity. Eight species of native Testudines inhabit in Sri Lankan
terrestrial and aquatic habitats. These include five species of sea turtles namely the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Olive ridley turtle
(Lepidochelys olivacea), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and the Hawksbill turtle
(Eretmochelys imbricata). In addition, two species of fresh water turtles and one species of land tortoises are also found in Sri Lanka.
These include Asian pond turtle or black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga), Flap shell turtle (Lissemys punctata) and Star tortoise
(Geochelone elegans). Furthermore, Red-eared terrapin or Red-eared Slider (Trachelmys scripta) has been introduced to Sri Lanka as
a pet and currently widely found in pet trade industry. Two subspecies of Asian pond turtle or black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga) have
been described in Sri Lanka. They are the Parker’s black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga parkeri), which is bigger in size and found in
Dry Zone of Sri Lanka, and the smaller hard-shelled terrapin or the Black turtle (Melanochelis trijuga thermalis), which is found in
Wet Zone of the island. All Testudines are protected by the Sri Lankan Fauna and Flora Protection Act since 1972, and the seventh
amendment made to the act (No. 49 of 1993) provided full range of protection. Despite the protection by government legislation since
1972, and amendment made in 1993, their future is one in jeopardy, with many turtle & tortoise populations declining to the point
where they are no longer significant resources either materially or culturally. This is due mainly to the indiscriminate exploitation
largely for their meat and eggs. In addition, degradation of natural habitats, road kills, water pollution, turtle by-catch and man-made
fires are major threats to Testudines of Sri Lanka. Research studies on Sri Lankan Testudines have not been conducted adequately in
order to understand the local turtle and tortoise populations. Public awareness in Testudine conservation must be further strengthened
in order to preserve Sri Lankan Testudines.
Demography of the Yellow Mud Turtle in the Texas Panhandle I: Age Structure and Survival
RICHARD T. KAZMAIER AND MARK J. LANGE
Department of Life, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas 79015, USA
rkazmaier@mail.wtamu.edu
The yellow mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) can be relatively common throughout much of the southwestern Great Plains, where it
seems to be able to handle extreme variation in climatic conditions despite its semiaquatic nature. We began characterizing
populations of yellow mud turtles with the intent of better describing how demography might vary across the region. In 2007, we
began trapping yellow mud turtles at two sites that are approximately 200 km apart, with Matador Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
being near the southeastern corner and Gene Howe WMA being near the northeastern corner of the Texas Panhandle. All turtles were
marked, sexed, and measured before release. Additionally, we counted annuli to estimate age and made plastral impressions to provide
a permanent date-specific record of the annuli and to assist with validation of the annuli technique. We compared age structure
between sites using chi-square analyses and calculated annual survival rates using the regression technique on age-structured data. As
of May 2009, we made 269 captures of 139 individuals at Gene Howe WMA and 141 captures of 98 individuals at Matador WMA.
We detected a pronounced bias towards adults in our Matador WMA sample, but our ratio of adults to juveniles at Gene Howe WMA
approached 1:1. Preliminary estimates revealed higher annual survival rates at Gene Howe WMA (S 4-9 = 0.878) than at Matador
24
WMA (S 4-9 = 0.798). Our initial observations suggest pronounced regional variation in the demography of yellow mud turtles and
comparisons to other sites should be particularly revealing.
Demography and Habitat Conversion in the Three-toed Box Turtle
A. ROSS KIESTER
John L. Behler Chelonian Center, P.O. Box 1289, Ojai, CA. 93023 USA [rkiester@gmail.com]
A 35-year study of demography, movement and habitat conversion of Terrapene carolina triunguis in central Missouri shows a long
pattern of population variation about a relatively high level followed by a steep decline. A high degree of movement pattern variability
combined with a dynamic patchy landscape appears to allow box turtles to persist in the face of much environmental variation.
However, once the population becomes fragmented so that different meta-populations are no longer connected extinction of small
local populations is likely. Stated in this way, our results are not particularly surprising, but analysis of the details of the population
decline provide some evidence of a threshold of meta-population structure above which the population persists. If such a threshold
exists, it could have important conservation implications. This study further underscores the problems of studying box turtle
population dynamics on time scales that are long to human scientists but short to box turtles.
Field Studies: Oral
Mitochondrial DNA Variation of Testudo Complex in Turkey
FERHAT KIREMIT, OĞUZ TÜRKOZANΠ, AND FEVZI BARDAKCI
Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Adnan Menderes University, 09010 Aydın, TURKEY
[oguzturkozan@yahoo.com]
The wide ranging Testudo graeca has been split into as many as 28 taxa based on morphometrical and morphological variations.
However, recent molecular studies on this complex have revealed inconsistencies between molecular and morphological groupings. In
Turkey, 6 taxa were described based on morphological and morphometrical data. We tied to morphology based names and studied the
ND4 region of (850bp) of mitochondrial DNA on 241 specimens in order to detect mitochondrial DNA variation of this complex
across Turkey. Furthermore, 34 sequences (topotypes) were added to our original data set from genbank in order to compare our
dataset. A total of 50 haplotypes were found in 275 sequences. The data of aligned haplotypes were analyzed by PAUP 4.0b10 and the
evolutionary trees put forward six well supported monophyletic lineages described namely terrestris, ibera, buxtoni, armeniaca,
zarudnyi and africa. Of these lineages, the first four range in Turkey. Morphology based “anamurensis” and “antakyensis” shared
common haplotypes with “terrestris” and located in the same clade called terrestris. Morphology based perses also shared common
haplotypes with buxtoni (type locality Iran), thus clustered with buxtoni clade.
Genetic s: Oral
Status and Conservation of the Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) in Virginia and the George Washington National Forest
STEVEN KRICHBAUM1 AND THOMAS S. B. AKRE2
1
412 Carter St., Staunton VA 24401, USA [Lokitoad@gmail.com]
2
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Longwood University, Farmville VA 23909, USA [akrets@longwood.edu]
The southernmost populations of the wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) are found in the Potomac River watershed of Virginia and
West Virginia. Most populations there are known from private lands but many are found on the George Washington National Forest.
The Northern Virginia landscape is among the most rapidly changing in the region and accordingly, threats to population viability
include habitat degradation and destruction from development and agriculture, poaching, road kill, and depredation. Recent research
reveals that Virginia populations continue to decline and undergo range contraction while surveys on the Forest reveal a limited and
disjunct distribution with perhaps a half dozen population centers, demonstrating the significance of public lands as population
refugia. The species was listed as “Threatened” in Virginia in 1992 and is now considered a tier one species for conservation action. It
is essential that the current recovery plan addresses multi-scale habitat fragmentation and metapopulation dynamics. In addition,
further research is imperative as there is much to elucidate on habitat use, reproductive success, and behavior. However, it is equally
imperative that current uncertainties not be used to legitimize inaction. In addition, state wildlife agencies and the US Forest Service
are developing a conservation strategy for the Forest. It is critical that this strategy implement strict and expansive proscriptions to
protect and buffer core habitat and maintain the ecological integrity of occupied watersheds on the Forest. This may take the form of
designated “special biological areas” and/or Turtle emphasis areas with specific standards and guidelines. The Forest Plan revision
currently in process offers the opportunity for conservationists and the interested public to affect meaningful improvements for wood
turtle conservation on our George Washington National Forest.
The Genus Formerly Known as Clemmys: Oral
Variability of gonadal differentiation in juvenile turtles of different species & implications for endoscopic sexing
GERALD KUCHLING
Chelonia Enterprises, Crawley, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA [kuchling@cyllene.uwa.edu.au]
25
Over the last decade I visualized by endoscopy gonads of series of live juvenile turtles of the following species: Aldabrachelys
gigantea, Amyda cartilaginea, Astrochelys yniphora, Batagur affinis, Batagur borneoensis, Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas,
Erymnochelys madagascariensis, Gopherus agassizii, and Malayemys macrocephala. In addition I dissected a series of juvenile
Chitra chitra which had died during captive rearing. The main purpose of these studies was the sexing of juveniles. There are
interesting differences among species in the developmental changes of the gonads and accessory structures with juvenile age and size.
On one end are Chelonia mydas in which gonads appear relatively undifferentiated in turtles up to 1000g body mass, on the other end
Malayemys macrocephala in which 35g juveniles already show well developed testes and epididymes reminiscent of subadults. In
other species, e.g. Erymnochelys madagascariensis, the differentiation of male gonads and accessory ducts seem to lag behind that of
females in juveniles of similar age and size. As a general rule hatchlings or juveniles which are only a few weeks old are much more
difficult to sex by endoscopy than older juveniles. A further aspect is the occurrence of inter-sex gonads. In small juveniles some
testicular tissue can be quite often seen in obvious ovaries. When checked again some years later all those animals turn into normal
females during further development. Only rarely can equally well developed testis and ovaries be seen side by side in juveniles
(observed by me in Aldabrachelys gigantea, Astrochelys yniphora, and Batagur affinis).
The Biology of the Chelonia: Oral
Conservation Breeding of the Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle Rafetus swinhoei
GERALD KUCHLING1 AND LU SHUNQING2
1
Chelonia Enterprises, Crawley, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA [kuchling@cyllene.uwa.edu.au]
2
Reptile Program Coordinator, Wildlife Conservation Society China Program. Life and Environment College, Huangshan University,
No. 9, Jilingshan Road, Huangshan 245041, Anhui Province, P. R. CHINA [lusq@hsu.edu.cn]
The Yangtze giant softshell (Rafetus swinhoei) is arguably the largest freshwater turtle in the world, and the most critically
endangered. A major threat for its survival is exploitation for food. By 2008 only two live individuals of R. swinhoei, originating from
Lake Tai Hu, remained in China, a male that was already in Suzhou Zoo in 1949 and a female that lived in Changsha Zoo since 1949.
Surveys in Yunnan in 2007 and 2008 did not find indications that any wild specimens were recorded since the turn of the century. In
May 2008 the female was transported from Changsha to Suzhou to attempt to breed the last two known specimens in China to recover
this species. After some mating activity the female produced two clutches of a total of more than 100 eggs in May and June 2008.
Even though many of the eggs were fertile, a proportion was not properly shelled and all fertile eggs died during early development.
Due to an insufficient diet of the female (mainly pork and chicken meat) some yolk components may have been inadequate to allow
the completion of the embryonic development. This was not unexpected and after repeated advice the diet of the turtles was gradually
improved. The breeding attempts continue in 2009. The goal is to establish a captive assurance colony with any progeny before
planning will start to re-introduce the Yangtze giant softshell turtle back into the wild.
Poster
Demography of the Yellow Mud Turtle in the Texas Panhandle II: Sex Ratio, Reproduction and Growth *
MARK J. LANGE AND RICHARD T. KAZMAIER
Department of Life, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas 79015 USA
The Texas Panhandle is a semi-arid region with a wide variation in amount and frequency of precipitation. During these periods of
fluctuating rainfall, water levels in rivers, streams, ponds, and other impoundments can vary drastically. Despite this climatic
variation, the semi-aquatic yellow mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) appears to thrive in this region. We began sampling two
locations in the Panhandle of Texas beginning in 2007: Matador Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Cottle County and Gene
Howe WMA in Hemphill County. Upon each capture, we marked, measured, and sexed each individual. As of May 2009, we have
made 269 captures of 139 individuals at Gene Howe WMA and 141 captures of 98 individuals at Matador WMA. Preliminary
analyses of growth rates suggest little difference between males at the two sites, but female growth rates appeared to decline faster
with age at Gene Howe WMA than at Matador WMA. Sex ratio did not differ between Matador WMA and Gene Howe WMA (P =
0.838). Radiographs revealed an average clutch size of 3.7 (range = 1-6) across both sites. Although these sites are only 200 km apart,
growth differences suggest differential effects of reproduction on females and further exploration is justified.
Southwestern Kinosternids: Oral (Student)
Population Structure and Trends in Barbour’s Turtles (Graptemys barbouri), Escambia Map Turtles (Graptemys ernsti) and
the Hybrid (Graptemys barbouri x ernsti) in the Choctawhatchee River System in Alabama and Florida *
CHRIS LECHOWICZ 1,2
1
Florida Gulf Coast University, Department of Biology, Fort Myers, FL 33965 USA [clechowicz@sccf.org]
2
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation3333 Sanibel-Captiva Rd. Sanibel, FL 33967 USA [clechowicz@sccf.org]
Map turtles (Genus: Graptemys) conform to predictable population structures in major Gulf Coast drainages. The success of more than
one Graptemys species in a river drainage can be justified by food partitioning of adult female turtles by head width. In numerous
river systems of the Gulf Coast United States, no more than two species of map turtles are known to coexist sympatrically below the
fall line. The discovery of G. barbouri, G. ernsti and G.barbouri x G. ernsti hybrids (all macrocephalic) in the Choctawhatchee River
system adds a layer of complexity to the typical macrocephalic/microcephalic (broad-headed/narrow-headed) sympatry found in
26
southeastern river systems. Very little was known about the abundance, distribution and morphology of G. barbouri x G. ernsti
hybrids in this drainage. Results found that hybridization appears to be localized in the lower Pea River, a tributary of the
Choctawhatchee River, while G. ernsti seems to be limited to down river expansion due to a water retention structure to the north. G.
barbouri has the largest range in the drainage and may be slowly encroaching north in the Pea River, therefore increasing instances of
hybridization in areas that were known to be strongly G.ernsti. Sex ratios of pure G. barbouri, in sections of the river known to only
comprise that species, were similar to that of sections with pure G. ernsti, however, areas with hybrids showed skewed ratios.
Morphological characters differentiating G. barbouri from G. ernsti have been found to be intermediary or random in turtles
identified, phenotypically, as hybrids.
Graptemys : Oral (Student)
Alligator Snapping Turtle Reintroduction and Translocation: Highs and Lows
DAY B. LIGON1, DAN MOORE2, BRIAN FILLMORE3, STANLEY F. FOX2
1
Department of Biology, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO 65897 USA [DayLigon@MissouriState.edu]
2
Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078 USA
3
Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery, Tishomingo, OK 73460 USA
Efforts to reestablish alligator snapping turtle populations in western portions of the species’ range include: 1) a captive propagation
and head-start program that was initiated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1999; and 2) translocation of 237 adult turtles to
southern Oklahoma in 2007. Similar strategies have been employed for several other threatened and endangered turtles world-wide,
but the efficacy of these conservation tools has been variable. Therefore, we orchestrated post-introduction monitoring of released
snapping turtles using trap-mark-recapture and radio telemetry. Translocated turtles were released into six semi-impounded oxbow
lakes in the Washita River drainage in southern Oklahoma. Sixteen adult turtles in one oxbow were equipped with radio transmitters.
In addition, 16 captive-hatched juveniles were similarly outfitted with transmitters and released. Two years of monitoring indicate that
individual turtles made substantial movements upon first introduction to the novel environment but quickly established somewhat
smaller core home ranges. Additionally, mortality among adults was high initially but appeared to decline within months after release.
Growth rates of captive-hatched juveniles that were released kept pace with growth of turtles maintained in captivity and fed ad
libitum. Finally, successful recruitment of offspring from translocated turtles was confirmed. Support for this research was provided
by the Turtle Survival Alliance, DELTA Foundation, and Oklahoma State University.
Translocation: Oral
Conservation Assessment of the Map Turtles and Sawbacks: The Historical Record and Prospects for the Future
PETER V. LINDEMAN
Department of Biology and Health Services, 150 Cooper Hall, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA 16444 USA
[plindeman@edinboro.edu]
Three main techniques have been used to assess the population status of the map turtles and sawbacks (Graptemys): visual surveys of
basking individuals (with reporting of both relative and absolute abundance), trapping (typically reported via relative abundance, less
commonly with catch-per-unit-effort reported), and mark-recapture estimation of population size (most commonly via mark-resight
with closed-population estimators). Decisions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding federal listing have relied most heavily
on basking surveys. I review for each of the 13 species of the genus the historical record of visual surveys, trapping records, and markrecapture estimates of abundance. Looking forward, there is a need for standardization of techniques used for gathering and reporting
data, particularly from basking surveys. In addition, because basking surveys are such a cost- and time-efficient technique, there is a
need for increased understanding of how basking density relates to population abundance, with analysis of how basking density varies
with climatic or hydrological variation and the extent to which it varies among species. Finally, an additional aspect of improved
conservation assessment will concern increased attention to map turtle and sawback occurrence in smaller tributaries, river
backwaters, and oxbow lakes.
Graptemys: Oral
Conservation Implications of Being a Habitat Generalist and a Seasonal Activity Specialist:
A Case Study using Clemmys guttata
JACQUELINE D. LITZGUS
Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, CANADA [jlitzgus@laurentian.ca]
The more I study Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata), the more I realize that there is still much to learn about this Species at Risk. My
students and I have been studying and visiting various populations in Canada and the USA for the past 19 years, and I am frequently
amazed by the differences in ecology among sites. Based on our observations, I was recently struck by two facts regarding spotted
turtle habitat and activity patterns: on a global scale, the species is a generalist, but at the local scale, individual populations are
specialists. Across the North American range, we have found populations in cypress-tupelo swamp forests, alder swamps, sphagnum
and fern swamps, open-canopy fens, bogs, flowing streams, stagnant beaver ponds, ditches, and even small pools on rocky islands.
Given such diversity, how does one quantify or predict the species’ habitat preference? Locally, spotted turtles display predictable
seasonal shifts in activity and habitat use, and show temporal fidelity to specific sites. These activity patterns vary geographically
27
among populations with earlier activity peaks in the south, and longer hibernation and shorter nesting seasons in the north. Protection
of endangered species requires description of critical habitats, and this generalist-and-specialist dichotomy in spotted turtles presents
an obvious challenge for creating and implementing conservation plans that focus on habitat protection. The data suggest that each
population must be treated separately in assessments of critical habitat and seasonal activity, which in turn can present financial and
logistical obstacles for management agencies. These obstacles must be overcome because, clearly, both site-specific and range-wide
ecological data are essential for recovery strategies that aim to maintain the global population of spotted turtles.
A Passion for Turtles; In Search of…
J LOVICH
Video Night
Reproductive Ecology of Sonora Mud Turtles (Kinosternon sonoriense) at Montezuma Well, Arizona:
Optimal Egg Size in a Suboptimal but Stable Environment
JEFF E. LOVICH1, SHEILA V. MADRAK1, CHARLES DROST1, ANTHONY J. MONATESTI1,2, DENNIS CASPER3,
4
AND MOHAMMED ZNARI
1
U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, 2255 North Gemini Drive, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 USA
[jeffrey_lovich@usgs.gov, charles_drost@usgs.gov, smadrak@usgs.gov]
2
Present address National Park Service, Environmental Compliance, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, 601 Nevada Way,
Boulder City, NV 89005 USA [anthony_monatesti@nps.gov]
3
National Park Service, Montezuma Castle National Monument 527 South Main Street, Camp Verde, Arizona 86322 USA
[dennis_casper@nps.gov]
4
Laboratory “Biodiversity & Ecosystem Dynamics”, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science - Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University,
Avenue Prince Moulay Abdellah, P.O. Box 2390, 40000, Marrakech, MOROCCO [ znari@ucam.ac.ma]
We studied the reproductive ecology of female Sonora mud turtles (Kinosternon sonoriense) for two years (2007-2008) at Montezuma
Well in central Arizona near the northern limit of distribution for the species. Females matured between 115.5-125 mm carapace
length and the proportion that produced eggs ranged from 35.7-53.8%/yr. Eggs were detected in x-radiographs from 23 April-28
September and the highest proportion of adult females with eggs occurred in July. Clutch size ranged from 1-8 with a mean of 5.0 and
did not differ significantly between years. Clutch size was only weakly correlated with body size and some females produced more
than one clutch per year. X-ray egg width ranged from 17.8-21.7 mm (mean 19.4 mm) and varied more among clutches than within.
Mean x-ray egg width (MXREW) of a clutch did not vary with carapace length of females, although the slope of x-ray pelvic aperture
width (XRPAW) increased allometrically with the same measure of body size. The heterogeneity of the two slopes demonstrates a
lack of morphological constraint by the XRPAW on MXREW in this small species. In addition, greater variation in clutch size,
relative to egg width, provides support for the hypothesis that egg size is optimized in this hydrologically stable but chemicallychallenging habitat. Nesting and hatchling emergence are coincident with the onset of summer rains, the latter facilitated by
embryonic diapause and development totaling almost one year. The reproductive strategy of this species, and its ability to survive
elsewhere in ephemeral desert streams and tanks, appear to be relatively recent adaptations to the desert climate in the region. The
adaptive value of this strategy in the hydrologically stable environment of Montezuma Well is perplexing but may be maintained by
genetic exchange with a nearby population in a less stable hydrologic regime. Our data differ from earlier predictions regarding the
existence of morphological constraints on egg size in small turtles. We suggest that the diversity of architectures exhibited by the
turtle pelvis, and the associated lack of correspondence to taxonomic or behavioral groupings, explains much of the variation observed
in egg size of turtles and whether or not egg size is constrained or optimized.
Population Genetic Study of the Ploughshare Tortoise, Astrochelys yniphora, from Baly Bay National Park, Madagascar *
ANGELO RAMY MANDIMBIHASINA
Responable du Projet Daie de Baly. USA Addresss: Henry Doorly Zoo, 3701 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68107; Madagascar
Address: Durrell Wildlife Conaservation Trust. 401 Solalala MADAGASCAR [angelo.ramy@durrell.org or
genetics@omahazoo.com]
The Ploughshare tortoise, Geochelone yniphora, one of four endemic tortoises found in Madagascar, is known as the rarest tortoise in
the world. Poaching and habitat loss (human-made brush fires) threatens many species, including the ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys
yniphora), endemic to Madagascar’s Baly Bay National Park. We initiated a conservation genetics study of the five Ploughshare
tortoises populations in the Baly Bay National Park, North-West of Madagascar, using mitochondrial DNA sequences and genotypes
from microsatellite DNA. Diversity within each population seems to be low and gene flow is very low among populations. Inbreeding
occurs in the populations of Cape Sada and Ambatomainty possibly due to isolation and fragmentation. We also have detected that
substructure occurs in the subpopulations of Andrafiafaly, along with evidence of translocations (natural or human-related) of
individuals from Andrafiafaly to Beheta. Analysis of mtDNA sequences show that there is no subspecific evidence between the
populations of Angonoka. To maintain and increase genetic diversity and for a better conservation of this species, conservation efforts
28
should be addressed to its habitat. Despite an ongoing captive breeding program for the tortoise, the genetic information of individuals
involved in this program remains uncertain. The current study has focused on all 17 founders and some of the offspring of this
breeding program regarding the existing diversity, origin of founders, effective population size, kinship and relatedness. In addition to
the captive breeding program individuals, we also have included individuals recently confiscated from Mayotte and Mampikony in
this study. Our results indicate that diversity in confiscated animals is higher than what exists in captive breeding, and the diversity in
this assurance colony is also greater than in any natural population. The 17 founders were determined to be from four different
populations. This genetically diverse group can be utilized to create a new wild population with the ongoing releasing program in
Beaboaly, one of the Angonoka’s natural habitats but abandoned in the early 1970s. Regarding the confiscated individuals, our results
have detailed where these individuals were taken from and that the population at Beheta is the most poached of ploughshare tortoise.
These confiscated individuals appear to have high diversity which, when added to the breeding program, can help Ampijoroa founders
to maintain genetic diversity.
Preliminary Results on the Molecular Phylogeography of the North American Box Turtle (Terrapene sp.)
and a Request for Tissue Samples *
BRADLEY MARTIN, JIM KOUKL, AND JOHN PLACYK
University of Texas at Tyler, Department of Biology, 3900 University Boulevard, Tyler TX 75775 USA [bmartin@patriots.uttyler.edu]
Declines in North American box turtle (Terrapene sp.) populations are currently occurring across their range. In order to apply
successful conservation strategies, the underlying genetics and evolutionary history of this taxa is needed. In this preliminary study,
we examined mtDNA and nuclear sequence data in an attempt to support or reject current classification schemes for the North
American box turtles and to determine if any population-level differences can be detected using these markers. The data we present is
a subset from the database that we are currently working with and includes individuals representing populations from the Midwest,
Southeast, Southwest, and New England. We provide evidence that sequence data will be useful in understanding the phylogeny of
North American box turtles and plan to add to this pilot data with sequence data from every state that box turtles occur in. To that end,
we solicit the participants of The 7th Annual TSA Symposium and offer prepackaged tissue sample collection kits to all that may be
interested.
Poster: (Student)
Population Ecology of Turtles on Missouri Western State University’s Campus: A Preliminary Report *
MARK S. MILLS1, TERESA AUSBERGER1, KRISTEN SHEENAN2, AND COLTON ZIRKLE3
1
Department of Biology, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO 64507, USA; 2Benton High School, St. Joseph, MO
64504, USA; 3Central High School, St. Joseph, MO 64501, USA; (mmills3@missouriwestern.edu)
We have initiated a proposed long-term study of the population ecology of turtles in nine ponds on the campus of Missouri Western
State University as part of this institution’s Summer Research Institute (SRI). The SRI program brings together faculty,
undergraduates, and high school students to work together on research projects across campus and elsewhere. Our goals for the
summer of 2009 were as follows: 1) to determine species composition in all nine campus ponds, 2) to permanently mark all
individuals in order to initiate studies on population dynamics, growth, and movement of turtles among ponds or nearby water bodies
(e.g., Otoe Creek), 3) to relate physical and biological properties of the ponds to turtle species composition and abundance. To date
we have marked 42 turtles representing four species: 21 Chelydra serpentina, 13 Chrysemys picta, 7 Trachemys scripta, and 1
Apalone spinifera. The ponds differ in their size, depth, temperature, composition of bottom sediments (e.g., hard clay vs. silt), amount
and make-up of vegetation in and surrounding the ponds, and presence and abundance of fishes among other factors. The ponds also
vary greatly in their relative impact from this urban environment. For example, Pond 1 receives nearly all of its water from parking
lot run-off and Pond 8 is spring fed. We have captured 2 snapping turtles in Pond 1 compared with 9 turtles of three species in Pond
8. We will test to determine if correlations exist between any of these pond attributes and turtle species composition or abundance.
Poster: (Student)
Whole Genome Shotgun and Assembly of Chrysemys pict bellii with Next Generation Sequencing Platforms
PATRICK MINX, WES WARREN, AND RICK WILSONI
The Genome Center, Department of Genetics, Washington University,
St. Louis, MO USA [pminx@watson.wustl.edu]
The whole genome sequencing of the Western Painted Turtle, Chrysemys p. bellii is part of the NHGRI Evolution of the Human
Proteome Initiative. The purpose is to complete the genome sequence coverage of all major nodes of chordate evolution with at least
two sequenced species. This will provide data for the second reptilian node, after Anolis carolinensis. The turtle genome will assist
researchers in reconstructing human gene evolution and in determining the genes and gene expansions that have been essential steps in
our evolution. Turtles and other reptilian genomes will allow characterization of highly conserved regions in proteins to provide
insights into human protein function, which the mammalians genomes do not. The turtle genome represents one of the first large
genomes (over 1Gb) sequenced with next generation sequencing platforms. Here we describe coverage targets and strategies for
assembling the estimated 2.8Gb genome with 454 and Illumina sequencing data. What will be the impact of the turtle genome and
29
accompanying resources on the chelonian community? Will it be valuable in turtle conservation? How to access the genome and the
genome's practical applications will be discussed.
Genetics: Oral
Does Acclimation Temperature Affect Growth Rates and Movement of Juvenile
Diamond-backed Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin)? *
VICTORIA F. MORAN AND JEFFREY W. TAMPLIN
Department of Biology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421 [jeff.tamplin@uni.edu]
Temperature profoundly affects reptiles, particularly rapidly growing juveniles. We tested the effects of acclimation/maintenance
temperature on growth rates and movement patterns in 14 – 19 juvenile diamond-backed terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) from
hatching to 10 months of age. Hatchling Malaclemys terrapin were maintained at 20 ppt S at either 22°C or 27°C and 8 growth
parameters from each turtle were measured monthly. Movement patterns were analyzed at 4 – 5 and 8 – 9 months of age in control
and temperature gradient tests in an aquatic thermal gradient of 14 – 34°C. Acclimation/maintenance temperature did not affect
growth; 22°C- and 27°C-acclimated turtles grew at similar rates and were of similar body size at 10 months of age. Acclimation
temperature did affect movement; 27°C-acclimated turtles moved more frequently than 22°C-acclimated turtles in both control and
gradient tests at 4 – 5 and 8 – 9 months of age. In both age groups, turtles visited fewer chambers and switched chambers in the
gradient tank less frequently when the gradient was present than during control tests.
Poster: (Student)
An Overview of Efforts to Conserve Pakistan’s Freshwater Turtles
UZMA NOUREEN AND MASOOD ARSHAD
Pakistan Wetlands Programme (WWF-P), House # 3, Street # 4, Sector F 7/3, Islamabad, PAKISTAN [unoureen@wwf.org.pk]
Eight species of both soft and hardshell freshwater turtles are found in Indus River system, representing two families and six genera.
Turtle capture on commercial scale, being a major threat to their survival, has resulted in significant population decline. A series of
investigative surveys were conducted to explore turtle capture and trade through questionnaires, field surveys and asking information
from local communities, dealers and representatives of the relevant government agencies. Surveys revealed that three softshell turtle
species (Aspideretes gangeticus, Aspideretes hurum, and Chitra indica) are in great demand by turtle dealers for export to east-Asian
countries for use as traditional medicines and other food sources. Fisherfolk and other riverine communities dependent on water
resources for their subsistence were involved in trade businesses. Turtle trade network, national and local markets, trade routes and
communities engaged in this business were uncovered. It was assessed that turtle capture has declined significantly since the year
2000. Due to a substantial decrease in turtle supply from other countries, the pressure to support international market has shifted to
Pakistan. Efforts are being made to revise national legislations in conformity with international set of laws to protect wildlife,
especially freshwater turtles. It is recommended that the target groups need to be addressed through community based-conservation,
provided with better livelihood opportunities in addition to education, and awareness to help protect turtles effectively. There is also a
need to address this issue at international level through CITES, IUCN-Turtles and Tortoises Specialist Group, TRAFFIC International
and other concerned organizations.
Experiences from the Asian Scholarship Programme for in-situ Chelonian Conservation, 2009
UZMA NOUREEN
Pakistan Wetlands Programme (WWF-P), House # 3, Street # 4,Sector F 7/3, Islamabad, PAKISTAN [unoureen@wwf.org.pk]
This poster will outline the experiences and opportunities afforded through partipation in the Asian Scholarship Program by this year’s
participant. It will detail the training opportunites, experiences, and observations from the participant. The Asian Scholarship Program
for in-situ Chelonian Conservation (ASPin-situCC) provides training and real life experiences to individuals with a research interest in
turtles and tortoises. Of the many great ways to conserve wildlife, and particularly that of chelonians, the ASPin-situCC chooses to
enable individuals with a vested community interest for their local chelonian fauna. The focus area is Asia, the focus chelonians are
freshwater and brackish water inhabitants. The ASPin-situCC relies on donations and the kind support offered by partnering
organizations.
Poster
Eastern European Chelonian Farms: a Look Inside
HANS - DIETER PHILIPPEN
Natur & Tier Verlag, Senior editor MARGINATA, Kuhlertstr. 154, D-52525 Heinsberg Germany;
Redaktion-Marginata@MS-Verlag.de
There are lots of rumors and fictions about the character of eastern European chelonian farms. I had the opportunity to visit farms in
three different countries: Slowenia, Czech Republic and Turkey. All these farms are mainly producing Testudo spp. in big numbers,
30
but also other species, such as other Testudinidae, Emydidae and Geoemydidae. From what I have seen during my visits, there have
been no indications of collected, wild caught specimens, which than have been offered as "captive bred". The different approaches of
the different farms are shown as well as numbers of offspring they produce every year.
Captive Studies: Oral
Status of the Chihuahuan Mud Turtle (Kinosternon hirtipes) in Presidio County, Texas
STEVEN G. PLATT1 AND DENNIS MILLER2
1
Department of Biology, Box C-64, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas, 79832 [splatt@sulross.edu]
2
Small Business Development Center, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas, 79832
The Chihuahuan mud turtle (Kinosternon hirtipes Wagler, 1830) is a poorly studied species of Kinosternid turtle that occurs from the
Big Bend region of Texas, southwards into northern Mexico. The only populations of K. hirtipes in the United States are found at a
few widely scattered sites in the Alamito Creek drainage of Presidio County, Texas. Virtually nothing is known about the life history,
ecology, and conservation status of K. hirtipes in Texas, and such data are urgently needed to develop effective management plans. To
address these deficiencies, we began an ecological and demographic study of K. hirtipes in a cluster of four small ponds near Plata,
Texas during 2007. To date, we have captured and marked 68 K. hirtipes, including 33 males, 22 females, and 13 juveniles. Analysis
of fecal samples indicates adults feed largely on aquatic vegetation. At least five adult K. hirtipes succumbed as a result of drought
conditions during the winter of 2007-08 when low water levels exposed dormant turtles to raccoon (Procyon lotor) and feral hog (Sus
scrofa) predation. Preliminary data from a limited number of recaptured turtles suggest rapid growth among juveniles. We are also
attempting to assess the conservation status of K. hirtipes throughout the Alamito Creek drainage. Populations remain at several
isolated ponds where K. hirtipes were recorded during a survey in the 1980s. We regard the conservation status of K. hirtipes in Texas
as tenuous owing to habitat fragmentation and loss due to long-term, natural and anthropogenic desertification in the Trans-Pecos
region of Texas.
The Turtle Shell
PETER C. H. PRITCHARD
Chelonian Research Institute, 402 South Central Avenue, Oviedo, Florida 32765 USA; ChelonianRI@aol.com
Abstract not available
The Volcan Wolf Tortoises
PETER C. H. PRITCHARD
Chelonian Research Institute, 402 South Central Avenue, Oviedo, Florida 32765 USA; ChelonianRI@aol.com
Abstract not available
Keynote Address
Sidenecks of Gondwanaland
PETER C.H. PRITCHARD
Video Night
Community Based Conservation Monitoring of the Radiated Tortoise
(Astrochelys radiata) at Lavavolo Classified Forest, Madagascar *
TSILAVO HASINA RAFELIARISOA
Henry Doorly Zoo, 3701 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68107 USA;
Lot VR79 Ambanidia – Ankadibevava, MADAGASCAR [rafelykely@hotmail.com; genetics@omahazoo.com]
Exploitation of the worlds’ tortoises for the local and foreign markets has decimated natural populations, including Madagascar’s
radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata). Protection of hotspots, where small populations still remain, is critical for these tortoises’
survival. Given the current political uncertainty in Madagascar and the extreme poverty levels of southern Madagascar, long term
community based research can potentially improve the radiated tortoise status where this species remains largely unprotected. Still,
not surprisingly, radiated tortoise populations continue to struggle as evidenced by reports detailing the multiple confiscations of
hundreds of individuals both in Madagascar and in Asia. The Henry Doorly Zoo’s Madagascar Biodiversity and Biogeography Project
(HDZ-MBP) has initiated a multifaceted program to address the plight of the Malagasy tortoise beginning in 2007. This project
utilizes molecular genetics to increase basic knowledge on ecology and reproduction in their natural habitat in Lavavolo Classified
Forest. Additionally, nest site parameters were recorded through the use of HOBO devices and population monitoring by local field
31
assistants will provide a better understanding of the natural history of this species in the wild. Individual radiated tortoises have been
monitored from 2007 to present, providing data on individual territorial patterns. All data that has been collected will be utilized to
augment existing information on the conservation status of this tortoise for Malagasy wildlife agencies and other conservation
organizations. Since the success of this program depends on the commitment and active participation of all parties involved, but most
importantly, the local communities of Itampolo, several community based programs have been initiated based on information acquired
through community survey questionnaires. In 2009, the HDZ-MPB implemented an educational community based program to
improve awareness while implementing effective conservation strategies and designating a reptile, the radiated tortoise, as a flagship
species in the Lavavolo Classified Forest and surrounding area.
Community Conservation: Oral (Student)
Seasonal Habitat Selection by Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) in Ontario, Canada *
MEGAN RASMUSSENΠ AND JACQUELINE LITZGUS
Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6 CANADA [ml_rasmussen@laurentian.ca]
The understanding of habitat use and selection is vital to identifying the full complement of habitats required for life processes and
therefore the protection of turtle populations. Seasonal changes in habitat use can confound descriptions of habitat selection when
temporal scales are not considered. Spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata) are an endangered species in Ontario, Canada. The intent of this
study was to determine seasonal habitat selection by individuals in a healthy population on the shore of Lake Huron in order to assess
habitat requirements. Fifteen individuals (10 females, 5 males) were followed using radio telemetry for two consecutive years.
Compositional analyses of seasonal ranges (minimum convex polygon of locations during each season) indicated selection for habitat
types throughout the annual cycle, with preference for meadow marshes and open wetlands during the active season, and shrub
dominated wetlands during the winter. Assessment of microhabitats chosen by turtles does not indicate seasonal shifts in selection
during the active season; however, females were more likely than males to choose sites with greater cover during the nesting and postnesting periods. Overall, individuals preferred sites with shallow (10 cm) water and low vegetation during the active season.
Overwintering turtles chose locations with structural protection in aquatic and semi-terrestrial habitats averaging 0°C. Site-specific
activities, including nesting and overwintering, showed a mix of habitat fidelity and plasticity. The influence of turtle identity on
microhabitat selection indicates the need for fairly large sample sizes to accurately predict population trends and thereby make
effective management recommendations.
The Genus formerly known as Clemmys: Oral (Student)
Spatial Ecology of Adult Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) in Northern Louisiana *
MITCHELL J. RAY AND JOHN L. CARR
Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe,
700 University Ave., Monroe, Louisiana 71209 USA [raymj@warhawks.ulm.edu]
The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a secretive aquatic turtle found in swamps, rivers, and lakes of Gulf Coast
drainages in the southeastern United States. We are conducting a radio-telemetry study of adult M. temminckii at Black Bayou Lake
National Wildlife Refuge in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. We have attached external ATS radio-transmitters to 14 adult M. temminckii
(10 male, 4 female) captured in Black Bayou Lake. Relocations have been recorded since April 13, 2008 and are on-going.
Temperature was measured at each relocation site; however, habitat measurements are difficult because the margins of the lake where
the turtles spend the majority of their time are covered in floating vegetation mats, comprised primarily of Egeria sp., Eichornia sp.,
and Ceratophyllum demersum. As a consequence, relocations were triangulated using Locate III software in the field. Currently, 305
position fixes have been recorded. Data will be presented on the seasonal pattern of movement for males and females. In addition, we
hypothesize that adult turtles occupy certain core areas and that male and female home ranges differ in size.
Poster: (Student)
Population Status of a Geographically Isolated Kinosternid
J. DAREN RIEDLE1, RICHARD T. KAZMAIER1, PHILIP C. ROSEN2, AND PETER HOLM3
1
Dept. of Life, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX, USA [macrochelys@hotmail.com]
2
School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
3
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Ajo, AZ
The Sonoyta Mud Turtle, Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale, is a southwestern Kinosternid that is only known from one
population in Arizona, USA. In Sonora, Mexico, it exists in several seasonally isolated populations along the Rio Sonoyta and another
isolated population farther south at Quitovac. The United States population occurs within a man-made pond at Quitobaquito Springs
(QBQS) in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Regular monitoring was conducted at QBQS from 1982-1996 and again from
2001-2006. Population estimates have ranged from 68 to 246, and sex ratios have trended from strongly male biased in early sampling
periods to a 1:1 ratio in later periods. Age-based annual survival rates were estimated as 0.72 for juveniles (ages 2-6), 0.83 for adult
males (ages 7-12), and 0.89 for adult females (ages 7-12). A three stage population model based on female survivorship was
constructed in RAMAS Metapop. Stage structure was based on turtles in hatchling to one year, 2 to 6 year, and 7 to 12 year age
classes. Initial abundances were loosely based on current population structure. The model results suggested a stable population with
32
0% extinction risk and an estimated minimum abundance for all females at 64. The QBQS population is facing threats in the form of
habitat loss at the pond itself due to declining water levels in the pond. Adult turtles are being removed until construction is complete,
but preliminary recovery models show that a wider range of age classes may be needed in order to adequately recover the population
after construction.
Effects of Age and Acclimation Temperature on Selected Temperature by
Juvenile Diamond-backed Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) *
EMILY J. RIESBERG AND JEFFREY W. TAMPLIN
Department of Biology; University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421 USA[jeff.tamplin@uni.edu]
Effective thermoregulation and the ability to select preferred temperature is an important factor influencing fitness in juvenile turtles.
Juvenile Malaclemys terrapin acclimated to either 22°C or 27°C were tested in an aquatic thermal gradient of 14 – 34°C at 4 – 5 and 8
– 9 months of age. Age affected temperature selection; 4 – 5 month old turtles did not select specific temperatures while 8 – 9 month
old turtles selected the two warmest temperatures available (30°C, 34°C). Acclimation temperature did not affect selected
temperature; 22°C- and 27°C-acclimated turtles both chose the two warmest temperatures available (30°C, 34°C), although 22°Cacclimated turtles were more efficient at choosing the warmest temperature in the gradient. The ability of juvenile diamond-backed
terrapins to thermoregulate and select warm temperatures may not develop until at least 6 months of age and may be better developed
in older hatchlings.
Poster: (Student)
How do Leatherbacks Grow So Big So Fast? Form and function of Patterns of Skeletal Growth in Turtles
ANDERS G.J. RHODIN
Chelonian Research Foundation, 168 Goodrich St., Lunenburg, MA 01462 USA [Rhodin CRF@aol.com]
The morphology of bone and cartilage growth in turtles has evolved as two separate and distinct patterns, reflecting the functional
significance of different growth rates and physiological requirements of different turtle species. Nearly all turtle species have slow
bone growth with avascular cartilage, reflecting their slow metabolism and slow growth. A few large living and fossil marine turtles
have developed a specialized pattern of rapid bone growth with vascularized cartilage, reflecting rapid growth and higher metabolism.
The leatherback turtle is the only extant species with rapid bone growth and vascularized cartilage, and has also developed a suite of
other morphological specializations which makes it unique among living turtles and reptiles.
Integration of the Declining Sonoyta Mud Turtle into Modernization of Municipal Sonoyta, Sonoran, Mexico
PHILIP C. ROSEN
School of Natural Resources, and USGS Sonoran Desert Research Station, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
[pcrosen@u.arizona.edu]
The Sonoyta Mud Turtle, Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale, is an endemic subspecies declining due to historic erosion and
ongoing groundwater depletion in the isolated Rio Sonoyta oasis of arid southwestern Arizona and Northwestern Sonora. It persists in
two sewage-maintained populations at Sonoyta, at isolated Quitovac Oasis nearby, at Quitobaquito Oasis in the United States at Organ
Pipe Cactus National Monument (ORPI), and 2 km S of Quitobaquito in the last natural reach of Rio Sonoyta. The multi-agency,
international Rio Sonoyta Conservation Team (RSCT) anticipated the trend of this decline, and is working with private groups,
schools, conservation lands, and local government to preserve this turtle along with co-occurring, long-isolated native fishes. It would
appear that for this subspecies to persist, it must live in close association with human facilities and communities. Recognizing this, the
federal agency SEMARNAT (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente Y Recursos Naturales) issued a legal finding in December 2008
requiring Sonoyta to provide for the turtle during much-needed modernization of its public health infrastructure. The RSCT is seeking
means to enforce this finding while preserving the necessary progress in public health. Complex cultural and financial issues remain to
be resolved by RSCT working with U.S. EPA and the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission.
Status of and Threats Facing Mud Turtles (Kinosternon) in Arid Southwestern North America
PHILIP C. ROSEN
School of Natural Resources, and USGS Sonoran Desert Research Station, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
[pcrosen@u.arizona.edu]
Mud turtles (Kinosternon, 13 taxa) dominate the unique chelonian fauna of 32 taxa in the desert and semiarid regions of the
southwestern United States and central and northwestern Mexico. Local assemblages typically contain two Kinosternon species, one
in ephemeral, summer rain pools, and one in largely perennial waters such as springs and streams. As in amphibians, the ephemeral
water species appear to be persisting robustly, while the perennial water taxa may be declining significantly. The only known global
extinction of a non-insular chelonian taxon, the Viesca mud turtle (Kinosternon hirtipes megacephalum) occurred in this regional
33
fauna; a result of anthropogenic habitat desiccation. Desiccation produced by groundwater withdrawal and surface water diversion for
agriculture appears to be the most widespread severe threat to aridlands Kinosternon. However, in Arizona there is evidence that nonnative crayfish may be decimating populations of the perennial water-inhabiting Sonoran mud turtle, K. sonoriense. Generally, little
attention has been paid to this unique and diverse (speciose) New World assemblage, and other unrecognized threats are likely in
operation. Status survey for the group - especially the perennial water taxa in the K. hirtipes (rough-footed mud turtle) complex, as
well as several other, highly endemic species - should be recognized as a biodiversity conservation priority. These surveys are needed
in context of a broad, marked threat facing the entire aquatic vertebrate fauna of this region.
Population Biology of a Gopher Tortoise Population on an Island in Southwest Florida *
JULIE ROSS AND PHIL ALLMAN
Florida Gulf Coast University, Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Myers, FL USA [jlross@eagle.fgcu.edu]
Species existing in discrete populations over a broad geographic range often display extensive variation in life history patterns due to
local adaptation in response to different environmental features. Variation in many life history traits have been documented in gopher
tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) and is typically explained by environmental features associated with habitat quality. In this study, we
report standard demographic data from a native island-population from the southwestern tip of their range in Florida. The mean adult
carapace length is 298 mm (n=198) with a mean mass of 5.3 kg. The relatively large body sizes attained in this population is likely
explained through environmental features that may influence the amount, or quality, of foraging material available to individuals. To
explore this further, we are developing a project that will quantify the habitat structure and the foraging material available to the
tortoises. The population has been fragmented and pushed into high density plots (# torts/acre) due to the development of private
homes on the island. However, recapture data indicate there is some movement between the developed and undeveloped lots
suggesting tortoises are moving through unsuitable habitat to meet additional requirements such as acquiring mates and food
resources.
Poster: (Student)
Variation in Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) Size and Catch Frequency within a Small Reservoir *
RUHL NΠ, BRAUN D, ROOSENBURG WM, AND CURRIE WJS
Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens OH 45701 USA [nr343205@ohio.edu]
Reservoirs can be divided into three limnological zones: the fluvial, lacustrine, and transitional zones. However, the effect of this
zonation is often overlooked due to the similarities reservoirs share with lakes. Here, the effect of zonation and time on adult musk
turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) catch-frequency and size was monitored in a small reservoir during the summer months when zonation
is most pronounced. Turtles caught in the fluvial zone were significantly larger than those caught in other zones. Catch frequency was
significantly higher in the fluvial zone regardless of time, but males were significantly more common than females in late August
compared to previous time periods. The observation that musk turtles are larger and more common in the fluvial zone is likely in
response to increased habitat availability and quality, but the temporal shift in sex-ratio is likely in response to a flood-mediated
increase in temperature reservoir-wide. The physiological and life history implications of this result on turtles inhabiting reservoirs are
discussed.
Niche-partitioning of Sympatric Map Turtles in the Sabine River *
SANDERS, S.,Π C. HIVELY, J. KOUKL AND J. PLACYK
University of Texas at Tyler, Department of Biology, 3900 University Boulevard, Tyler TX 75775 USA [sande197@msu.edu]
The Sabine Map Turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis sabinensis) and the Mississippi Map Turtle (G. pseudogeographica kohnii) are found
sympatrically in the Sabine River Watershed. Until the mid-ninties, the two species were classified as subspecies of G.
pseudogeographia. Because of their close relationship and overlapping range, the two species must exhibit some level of niche
partitioning according to the ecological species concept. Additionally, morphological differences are shaped by differential habitat
use. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of successful trapping locations for the two species indicates a Sabine Map Turtle tendency
toward wider, deeper, faster flowing rivers (p = 0.001). Cluster and Multi Response Permutation Procedure (MRPP) analyses support
divergent morphology between the two groups (T = -2.702, p = 0.018). Not only does this support the niche partitioning in the Sabine
River, but this information will prove useful as baseline divergence data for future investigation of other sympatric Graptemys species,
as demonstrated by G. o. ouachitensis pilot data.
Poster: (Student)
Historical Perspective: Bartram’s “Clemmys”
CHUCK SCHAFFER
Turtle and Tortoise Newsletter, 13811 Tortuga Point Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32225, USA [Chelonian1@aol.com]
34
Known primarily as an explorer, naturalist, artist, and author, William Bartram was the first native born American to receive
international acclaim in the field of natural history. Many chelonians received coverage in his writings and illustrations. Some
detective work (and imagination) is required to match up Bartram’s names with those we might recognize. His father, John, was well
known in British scientific circles. William’s entrée to this field opened through one of his father's English patrons, Peter Collinson,
who had been receiving illustrations of turtles and mollusks and indigenous plants samples from William. Some of which Collinson
published in the Gentleman’s Magazine. William’s illustrations were also shared with Dr. John Fothergill, another prominent Quaker
naturalist and collector. By 1772, Fothergill provided William with annual stipend of 50 pounds, and his career as a commissioned
naturalist and explorer had commenced. He then left for Florida to gather natural history material and to document the travels in
illustrations and written commentary. The two main sources of information were Bartram’s correspondence with Collinson and
Fothergill. Letters to Collinson provided illustrations and descriptions of the spotted turtle (Clemmys gutatta) and themud turtle
(Kinosternon subrubrum), both executed about 1756 or 1757 and later published by Collinson 1758 in the Gentleman’s Magazine.
Reports to Fothergill yielded images and information on the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), the “Redbellied Turapin” (Florida
Redbelly Cooter - Pseudemys nelsoni), “the little muskey Tortoise” (musk turtle - Sternotherus sp.), and the spotted turtle (Clemmys
guttata). Travels (1791) has somewhat broader coverage and incorporates natural history, behavioral, and locality data on the large
“fresh-water tortoise” (likely the Florida cooter - Pseudemys concinna floridana), the small “fresh-water tortoises” (Pseudemys
species or the chicken turtle - Deirochelys reticularia), the “Gopher” or “Great land -tortoise” (Gopher tortoise - Gopherus
polyphemus), the “small land tortoise” box turtle (Terrapene Carolina), and the “Great soft shelled tortoise” “Testudo naso
cylindracea elongato, truncate” Florida softshell (Apalone ferox). Lord Derby’s collection includes illustrations of “The great Mud
Tortoise from Pennsylvania - called the snaping Turtle” (Snapping turtle - Chelydra serpentina), a Pond slider (probably Trachemys
scripta), and the Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta). Botanical and zoological drawings 1756-1788, Bartram’s work in The Natural
History Museum, London (compiled from the images sent to “Dr. John Fothergill and others”) include the spotted turtle (Clemmys
gutatta), the “Soft Shell Tortoise' of East Florida” (Apalone ferox), and the “Soft Shell’d Tortoise' of Georgia” (A. spinifera). The
American Philosophical Society’s collection includes a pen and ink drawing of “Testudo caelata” (wood turtle - Glyptemys insculpta)
with the illustrations including the carapace, plastron, head, and neck together the verso containing Barton's 19-line description of the
turtle. Also in their collection are two extra plates from Travels of the gopher tortoise (G. polyphemus).
Does Manouria emys Exhibit Subspecific Variation in Growth? A Morphometric Analysis *
RICK SCHAFFER
1
Stanton College Preparatory School, 13811 Tortuga Point Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32225, USA [Accipender@aol.com]
Manouria emys, the Asian mountain tortoise, is disappearing in the wild. One way to ensure their survival is ex-situ breeding. Growth
curve data will be instrumental in the success of an assurance colony program. It would provide helpful guidelines to the growth of the
tortoises and set guidelines for repatriated hatchlings. It was hypothesized that M. e. phayrei would grow faster and achieve a larger
size than its southern counterpart. A secondary hypothesis is that the tortoises would exhibit a linear growth. The subjects of this study
were a group of 96 M. emys (39 M. e. emys and 57 M. e. phayrei). There were a total of six age cohorts for M. e. emys and eleven for
M. e. ephayrei. Each of these tortoises was measured for their straight carapace length (SCL), straight carapace width (SCW), height
(Ht), weight (Wt), and length and width of the fourth vertebral Scute (4VH and 4VW). From the growth curves, it is apparent that
these tortoises exhibit an exponential growth pattern with a strong relationship between age and morphometric measurements. The M.
e. phayrei grow faster and to a larger size. These tortoises are wider at a given carapace length while M. e. emys are longer for a given
width. These data support the hypothesis of subspecific variation in growth. This lends support to Bergman’s theory of increasing
body size within a species with increasing latitude or decreasing environmental
WTC Captive Studies: Oral (Student)
To What Degree Does Annuli Count Reflect Age in Manouria emys? An Analysis Comparing Three Methods of Evaluation.
A comparison of three evaluation methods *
RICK SCHAFFER
1
Stanton College Preparatory School, 13811 Tortuga Point Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32225, USA [Accipender@aol.com]
Manouria emys is a critically endangered species Southeast Asian tortoise. Assurance colonies are needed to breed them in a captive
setting, later to be repatriated when conditions improve. During this process, more knowledge of their growth is necessary to ensure
the viability of founder stock and offspring. Fifty Manouria emys were studied. Tortoise’s shells were thouroughly cleaned to optimize
accuracy. Annuli were counted from tortoises via direct physical examination (PE), cast analysis (CA), and digital photographic
analysis (DPA) for the second through fourth vertebral scutes. Data from observations were then analyzed, graphed, and correlation
calculated. The correlation between age and individual scutes was stronger in the fourth vertebral scute (R2 = 0.8852 for PE and
0.9652 for DPA) than the second vertebral scute (R2=0.883 PE and 0.9642 DPA) or the third vertebral scute (R2 =0.8801 PE and
0.9576 P). The value for the average of the three scutes was strongest (R2 = 0.8943 PE and 0.9676 DPA). A good correlation existed
between age and annuli count, strongest in the middle age cohorts (3 to 5 years) because the annuli are well defined, yet not obscured
by wear. Fourth vertebrals had slightly better correlation over the second and third. The average of the three scutes yielded the most
accurate representation of age, likely because it diminished individual scute differences. Digital photography was the most accurate
method to determine age due to the ability to zoom and examine in greater detail than other methods. This technique also provides a
35
portable and easily reproduceable, yet durable permanent record. Casting was the least effective due to the difficulty to produce and
read the casts, particularly for the oldest and youngest tortoises.
Poster: (Student)
Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Juvenile Activity Patterns in Southern Mississippi
AMY SCHNEIDER AND MATT HINDERLITER
The Nature Conservancy, Camp Shelby Field Office. CSJFTC-ENV Building 622, Camp Shelby, MS 39407 USA
[aschneider@tnc.org]
Gopher tortoise surveys in southern Mississippi show a low percentage of hatchling, juvenile, and sub-adult burrows which could
suggest low recruitment. Previous studies in and around the edge of their geographic range have shown that hatchlings suffer over
90% mortality rate in the first 2 years but very little is known about juvenile survivorship. In order to study this and other aspects that
may affect juvenile tortoises, a head-starting project was started at the Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center (CSJFTC) in
southern Mississippi. Hatchlings, yearlings, and 2 year olds from four sites were fitted with radio transmitters, released at their source
burrow in September 2007 and 2008, and followed until their demise. Observational occurrences were documented and analyzed for
age class and site. Hatchlings, yearlings, and two year olds with less than one year in the field were active for most of the study period
(September-January of 2008-09) with minimal activity in January. 2 year olds with 2 years in the field were active year round with the
most activity occurring in September and October. Comparisons between sites, age classes, and activity of adult tortoises will be
discussed.
Poster
Conservation Genetics of the Yellow-blotched Sawback, Graptemys flavimaculata *
W. SELMAN1Π, B. KREISER1, AND C. QUALLS1
1
Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406 USA
[will.selman@usm.edu]
Population genetic data are becoming an important aspect of conservation planning in a variety of imperiled taxa. Turtles within the
genus Graptemys are increasingly being recognized as conservation priorities, especially since many are endemic to single Gulf of
Mexico river drainages and vulnerable to human alterations of rivers and surrounding habitats. The yellow-blotched sawback
(Graptemys flavimaculata) is a federally threatened, riverine turtle that is endemic to the Pascagoula River system of southeastern
Mississippi (USA), which is one of the last major free-flowing river systems in the Lower United States. We used microsatellite data
to analyze population genetic structure and assess the historical demography of several populations throughout the drainage, including
one disjunct population from the lower Escatawpa River. These populations exhibited a low degree of population structure as
measured by F ST and assignment tests. The Escatawpa River population had a higher degree of genetic differentiation which is likely a
result of a historical separation from main river populations. Considerable allelic diversity was found in each of the population and
two demographic analyses failed to find evidence of recent or historical bottlenecks. Several populations possessed one or more
private alleles and the levels of genetic differentiation between populations did not correlate with river distance between sampled
populations. In conclusion, despite the relatively small contiguous river distances separating each population, some of the genetic data
indicates that these populations are not necessarily panmictic within this free-flowing river system.
Graptemys: Oral (Student)
Conservation of Endangered Indian Turtles: Achievements and Challenges
SHAILENDRA SINGH1,4, BRIAN D HORNE2, ASHUTOSH TRIPATHI1, RISHIKESH SHARMA3 AND RANA P SINGH4
1
Center for Herpetology/Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, INDIA [mcbtindia@gmail.com]
2
San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation and Research, USA [bhorne@sandiegozoo.org]
3
Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, INDIA [rksharma_ncs@yahoo.com]
4
School of Environment Science, BBA (Central) University, Lucknow, INDIA [ranap_singh@rediffmail.com]
We have been designing and implementing various conservation actions for different endangered chelonians listed in “Conservation
Action Plan for Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises of India” since 2005 under the auspices of TSA India Program. The actions are
population habitat surveys, in-situ and ex-situ research and recovery programs, community education, participation and livelihood
development projects. This communication critically reviews the conservation actions taken so far and attempts to objectively assess
their impacts on the target species and their habitats and describes some of the challenges in chelonian conservation in India.
How Much Immigration from Source Populations is Needed to Sustain Hunted Populations of Hingeback Tortoises? *
NICOLE SMOLENSKY
Texas A&M University, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, 215 Herman Heep Bldg 2258, College Station, TX 778432258 USA [nsmo@tamu.edu]
36
It is well understood from previous models that populations of long-lived organisms like tortoises cannot bear sustained hunting at
even moderate levels. In a landscape of protected and unprotected areas, how much immigration is needed to sustain the hunted
population? To gain insight into this question, I constructed a hypothetical model using Kinixys erosa and K. homeana, two species of
hingeback tortoises consumed in West Africa. I modeled one population under varying harvest levels, and another with one level of
harvest but also with positive growth rates of 0.0%, 1.0%, and 2%. I assumed fixed density, and surplus subadults were allowed to
disperse to the hunting area. In one hunted population scenario with no immigration, survivorship of 47.2% and 82.7% for hatchling
and adult stages result in a stable population. However, results showed a difference of 2% annual survivorship of adults and < 1%
annual survivorship of hatchlings can dramatically alter the population growth rate from stability to extirpation or exponential
increase. Moreover, vital rates are highly variable in organisms like Kinixys, meaning constant harvest of these tortoises would be very
difficult to sustain because of periods of poor recruitment. I found that moderate to high levels of immigration from source
populations are required for persistence of hunted populations. No quotas or management regimes exist for these species. I suggest
that tortoise management may depend on reserve areas where take is strictly prohibited and management for high population
recruitment is needed in regions where Kinixys tortoises, are hunted.
Anthropogenic Factors Affecting Distribution and Abundance of Sonoran Mud Turtles in the Peloncillo Mountains.
PAUL A. STONE, BRIAN D. STANILA, AND MARIE E. STONE
Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma 73034 USA [pstone@uco.edu]
Early in the 20th century, construction of artificial stock tanks transformed aquatic habitats in several canyons in the Peloncillo
Mountains, New Mexico. Before this, the only water likely available outside of the monsoon season was a few small but permanent
seeps. Otherwise, canyons in the Peloncillos were ephemeral, experiencing flow only during monsoon floods in September, leaving
behind intermittent pools that usually dried completely by May. After stock tanks were built, there was a permanence gradient of
aquatic habitats, including: canyons without stock tanks, canyons with stock tanks, and permanent stock tanks (converted seeps) not
associated with canyons. All five canyons with stock tanks we sampled harbored large populations of Sonoran mud turtles
(Kinosternon sonoriense). Although individuals were sometimes captured in pools in canyons without stock tanks, low water
availability may preclude the establishment of large populations of mud turtles in this habitat. All three permanent stock tanks we
sampled had small populations of mud turtles and large populations of exotic fish, suggesting a negative interaction between turtles
and fish. Thus, canyons with stock tanks appear to be optimal habitat for mud turtles in the study area. However, since the
construction of stock tanks, silt has been accumulating relatively unchecked. As a result, stock tanks in several canyons are completely
silted in and currently do not harbor large populations of mud turtles. Conservation efforts aimed at silt removal should increase
population densities of mud turtles in the Peloncillos. In addition, fish removal might bolster populations in permanent stock tanks.
Mitochondrial Phylogeography of the Central American River Turtle (Dermatemys mawii) *
GRACIA PATRICIA SYED1, 2 AND JESUS MALDONADO1
1
Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, NZP/NMNH, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20008, USA
2
Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) MEXICO [graciapgp@yahoo.com.mx]
The Central American river turtle, Dermatemys mawii, is the last surviving species of the family Dermatemydidae. It is also the most
endangered turtle in Mexico. Today their distribution is limited to remote areas inaccessible to humans. Significant assurance colonies
exist but most do not meet minimum requirements for maintaining genetically viable populations. To date, no genetic characterization
exists for the species, and a genetic management plan for wild and captive populations is desperately needed. For this purpose we
conducted a phylogeographic analysis by sequencing fragments of the mt-DNA Cytochrome b and ND4 genes. Our survey of 130 D.
mawii individuals from 15 different localities from throughout its range yielded 16 different haplotypes. These haplotypes were not
distributed according to localities and showed very low levels of phylogeographic structure. The arrangement of haplotypes derived
from a TCS network suggests that, in some areas, D. mawii has undergone a recent radiation while others, exhibit very ancient
divergences. This pattern can be explained by extinctions, bottlenecks or other demographic forces. In addition, these patterns may
have been influenced, in part, by long-range movements by humans. For centuries, D. mawii has been consumed by ancient Mayans
and other Middle American cultures. The archeological record shows evidence of long distance movement by humans between
villages and far away from their natural range of distribution. Therefore, these human-mediated-movements could also have
influenced the unusual patterns of haplotype distribution and the lack of phylogeographic concordance that we observe.
Status and Conservation of the Soft-shell Turtle, Trionyx triunguis, in Turkey
OĞUZ TÜRKOZAN
Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Adnan Menderes University, 09010 Aydın, TURKEY
[oguzturkozan@yahoo.com]
Trionyx triunguis is one of the least known chelonian species about its biology. The distribution range covers the Mediterranean,
Middle East, and the southern and northwestern part of Africa. Around the eastern Mediterranean the strongest populations are found
37
in Turkey. The Mediterranean population of this species was previously listed as “critically endangered” (IUCN, 1996, 2000). Present
work is aimed to review the current status of Trionyx triunguis population in Turkey based on published and unpublished reports,
together with the personal observation of the author.
Current Global Population Status of the Critically Endangered Northern Madagascar
Spider Tortoise Pyxis arachnoides brygooi *
RYAN CJ WALKER1, 2
1
Nautilus Ecology, 1 Pond Lane, Greetham, Rutland, LE15 7NW, United Kingdom
2
Department of Life Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, United Kingdom [ryan@nautilusecology.org]
Virtually nothing is known of the remaining population size and status of the Critically Endangered northern Madagascar spider
tortoises (Pyxis arachnoides brygooi). P. a. brygooi is endemic to the coastal Mikea forests of south west Madagascar and is
considered to be the rarest of the three subspecies of Pyxis arachnoides, as a result of inhabiting the smallest range and threats from
habitat destruction and poaching for food and the pet trade. Surveying P. a brygooi is problematic due to its small size, cryptic
colouration and behavior, limited seasonal activity and dense spiny forest habitat. Therefore, a line transect survey was designed
allowing for these challenges and was systematically implemented across the subspecies’ range. Throughout the survey the detection
rate ranged from 0-66 individuals per km transect (mean 1.52 per km, SD ± 8.25), with most individuals confined to one small area of
marginal habitat. The resulting data were analysed with Program DISTANCE 5.0. Presents/absence data were also analysed spatially
with forest cover data using ArcGIS 9.0 software. Polygons of forest habitat containing tortoises were delineated and this range was
then compared against the suspected area of occurrence described in the published literature. The survey revealed a significant overall
reduction of the subspecies range. However, populations of P.a. brygooi were recorded south of the current published limits of the
subspecies, inhabiting areas currently thought to be the sole domain of Pyxis arachnoides arachnoides. The results of this survey are
currently being applied to management plans for two new proposed protected areas for the region, in an effort to safeguard these small
remaining populations.
Nesting Ecology and Hatching Success of Bog Turtles (Glyptemys “Clemmys” muhlenbergii)
at Five Study Sites in Eastern Pennsylvania
ROBERT ZAPPALORTI AND RAY FARRELL
Herpetological Associates, Inc. - Plant and Wildlife Consultants, 575 Toms River Road, Jackson, New Jersey 08527, USA
[rzappalort@aol.com]
Bog turtle (Glyptemys“Clemmys” muhlenbergii) surveys and research was conducted for The Nature Conservancy at five study sites
in Pennsylvania between 1992 and 2002. Unlike most other semi-aquatic chelonians, C. muhlenbergii does not leave their wetland
habitat and travel to dry, upland areas to deposit their eggs. Instead, they select slightly elevated sites, generally on various Carex
species, Sphagnum or other moss covered tussocks for nesting within their marshy habitat. Nesting areas typically have limited canopy
closure, support an array of moisture tolerant, low vegetation, and provide ample solar exposure. Population estimates at one site in
1993 were strikingly lower than those calculated 25 years earlier by Carl Ernst. Ninety-three percent of the population structure was
strongly skewed towards old adults in favor of females (sex ratio = 0.38:0.62). Of these, 63.6% had worn smooth shells, a
characteristic typical of older turtles. The only non-adults found during the study period were an empty shell of a dead juvenile and 3
hatchlings. The adult-skewed age structure of bog turtle at Marsh I suggests that there is a reduction in natural recruitment, possibly
due to excessive mortality of eggs, hatchlings and young. Another possibility was the disruption of one or more stages of their
reproduction. However, we observed mating activity, the presence of gravid females, oviposition (eggs in nests), and egg-hatching; all
of which are stages of reproduction within the population. The successful completion of these life stages would rule out low
reproduction as the major cause for failure of natural recruitment. This may suggest excessive mortality of eggs and young turtles as
the more likely cause. Efforts to collect information on nest site selection, nesting behavior, egg-laying, clutch-size and hatching
success were made at Marsh I, where 31 eggs were found. Of these, 12 were taken to the laboratory for artificial incubation and
replaced with actual-size, paraffin and bees wax eggs in an attempt to identify a predator by its teeth bite marks. Of the 19 eggs left
undisturbed in the field at 7 different nests, only 6 (28.6%) were not taken by predators and successfully hatched. Four of the wax
eggs were also taken by a small, unknown mammal, but the eggs were not found. Ten real eggs were removed by predators (47.6%), 2
(9.5%) were broken by the nesting females, and 3 (14.3%) did not hatch. All of the 12 eggs removed from the field were artificially
incubated and hatched in the laboratory (100%). These hatchling turtles were marked and released back into the nesting area. Followup nesting and hatching studies were conducted with 131 eggs from five different study sites. Of the 62 unprotected eggs in nests that
were allowed to incubate under natural conditions, only 17 (27%) hatched, 21 (34%) did not hatch, 4 (6%) were destroyed, 19 (31%)
were removed by a predator and 2 (3%) were abnormal (pea sized). In 1997 we began using predator excluder cages to protect eggs
from predation. Overall, the 131 eggs that were studied (incubated in the laboratory, or naturally with or without protection of a
predator excluders), 57 (44%) hatched and 74 (56%) did not hatch for various reasons. Between the 5 populations studied, hatching
success varied from 14% to 59% for eggs left in the field, and 40% to 100% for eggs incubated in laboratory. If eggs are fertile,
protecting them with predator excluder cages would result in a higher hatchling survival in the nest. Predation rates varied from 12%
to 57%, indicating that egg predation is a detrimental limiting factor to hatching success. Natural hatching success is also reduced by
38
infertility, developmental problems, destruction of eggs, adverse weather conditions (i.e., flooding, early frost), and other unknown
factors. The unique nesting habits of C. muhlenbergii are believed to reduce high predation usually associated with turtles who deposit
their eggs in upland situations. In most turtles, and generally other K-selected vertebrates, the period of greatest vulnerability is during
the early stages of life. We found an adult-skewed age structure in most bog turtle populations we studied. This may suggest that there
is a reduction in natural recruitment at these habitats. This phenomenon is possibly due to excessive mortality of eggs, hatchlings and
juveniles, or a disruption of one or more stages of their reproduction. Mating activity, presence of gravid females, oviposition and
egg-hatching were stages of reproduction we documented at our five-study areas. These activities are measures of the recruitment
potential within a bog turtle population. The successful completion of these life history stages would rule out low reproduction as the
major cause or failure of recruitment. This may suggest excessive mortality by unknown predators upon eggs, hatchlings and juvenile
bog turtles may be the more likely cause. More information is clearly needed to evaluate the impacts of nest and hatchling predation
on the recruitment of this "endangered" species.
Headstarting in the European Pond Turtle, Emys orbicularis: a Computational Approach
and a Proposed Model for Management Plans
MARCO A.L. ZUFFI 1, AURELIANO RAMA 2, PAOLO MILAZZO 2, ANDREA MAGGIOLO SCHETTINI 2, ROBERTO BARBUTI 1, 2
1
Museum of Natural History and Territory, University of Pisa, via Roma 79, I-56011 Calci (Pisa) ITALY [marcoz@museo.unipi.it]
2
Department of Informatics, University of Pisa, via Buonarroti 2, I-56127 Pisa, ITALY
The European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis, is among the most widespread species among Emydidae and Bataguridae of the
Palaearctic area. Despite its wide range distribution, this species suffers in many countries from inadequate protection and
management rules. It is reported as in danger or threatened in some European countries’ and regions’ red lists. In other countries, it is
found in relatively good numbers, high occurrence in most habitats and well distributed in the whole area, even if possible causes of
danger are still present (e.g. Ukraina, Poland). Almost surely and in recent years, it has been reported that E. orbicularis is susceptible
to suffering from competition with the introduced red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta ssp., at least in most Mediterranean countries of
southern Europe (e.g. Spain, France, Italy). It has been suggested that possible causes of its threatened and/or declining status are a
function of loss, fragmentation or alteration of suitable and optimal habitats. We have attempted to underline the importance of
approaching a suitable mathematical model for any incoming or further management plans and projects, especially when aimed at
reinforcing or reintroducing European pond turtles’ natural habitats. First, we selected all available literature on Emys orbicularis
galloitalica from central to southern Italy and all information on comparable habitat with different Emys orbicularis subspecies.
Similar analysis was carried out on all possible data sets from other northern European countries in order to quantify the source of
variation of target variables (i.e. demographic patterns, reproductive ecology and biology, movement patterns, etc.). We assumed most
published data was a basic source, nevertheless understanding that complete knowledge of any species is impractical. A
computational model was established at the Computer Science Department, University of Pisa, using an ad-hoc C# simulator. We ran
independent trials with a starting population of 20, 50, 100 and 500 adult individuals, on a time span of 500 years, using i) literature
and unpublished data (MALZ unpubl data) as a default input, ii) a supposed slightly higher survival rate in some age classes of a given
population, and iii) a supposed slightly lower survival rate in some age classes of a given population. Three basic outputs have been
obtained respectively: i) long term fluctuation with quite stable population dynamics, independent of population size, ii) explosion of
population size in a short time-span (less than 25 years) with an asymptotic trend, and iii) a clear-cut decrease of animal population.
Outputs obtained from smaller initial populations (20 and 50) are much more sensitive to long term fluctuation, thus resulting in the
extinction of the population in a larger number of runs. Regardless of the input model selected, it would appear that management plans
and subsequent surveys must be considered as valid or, however, quite suitable, only when considering a very long time span of
human control and activity.
39

7th Annual Symposium - Turtle Survival Alliance

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