Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Ernst, C. H. (2001). Some ecological parameters of the wood turtle, clemmys insculpta, in southeastern pennsylvania. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 4(1), 94–99.
Added by: Admin (17 Aug 2008 17:23:46 UTC) Last edited by: Beate Pfau (02 Nov 2008 16:48:02 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Ernst2001b View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Clemmys, Emydidae, Glyptemys, Glyptemys insculpta, Habitat = habitat, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises Creators: Ernst Collection: Chelonian Conservation and Biology |
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| Abstract |
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The wood turtle, Clemmys insculpta, was studied in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA, from May 1965 to August 1988. Eighty-eight individuals were captured and marked, and the estimated population size (Shumacher-Eschmeyer) was 159 individuals. Density for the total 240 ha of available habitat was 0.66 turtles/ha, but density for the available riparian habitat where most turtles occurred was 4.42 turtles/ha. Specimens located were 44.3% adult males, 31.8% adult females, and 23.9% juveniles. The sex ratio of 1.39:1 (males:females) was not significantly different from 1:1; the adult to juvenile ratio was 3.19:1. The annual cycle of activity lasted from early March through November. Mating occurred in the spring and fall, and nesting took place in June. Male/male aggressive behavior was observed throughout the year. Foraging took place from mid-April to early October, and observed feedings were terrestrial and aquatic with similar frequency. Prey taken was entirely animal: earthworms, leeches, lepidopteran caterpillars, fish - probably taken as carrion (Catostomus commersoni, Cyprinus carpio), and tadpoles and adults of the green frog (Rana clamitans). Daily activity was almost entirely diurnal, with only nesting females active into the evening. The period of diel activity shifted from early afternoon toward morning as spring progressed to summer, and then reversed back to afternoon as summer moved to fall. Daily straightline movements were usually less than 100 m, but some foraging females and males moved as far as 410 m and 358 m, respectively. During the spring mating season males traveled greater daily distances than at other times of the year. Some females searching for nest sites moved 900-1000 m. The incidences of algal colonization, leech parasitism, shell abnormalities, and injuries were also recorded.
Added by: Admin Last edited by: Beate Pfau |