1
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Roberts HP, Willey LL, Jones MT, Akre TSB, King DI, Kleopfer J, Brown DJ, Buchanan SW, Chandler HC, deMaynadier P, Winters M, Erb L, Gipe KD, Johnson G, Lauer K, Liebgold EB, Mays JD, Meck JR, Megyesy J, Mota JL, Nazdrowicz NH, Oxenrider KJ, Parren M, Ransom TS, Rohrbaugh L, Smith S, Yorks D, Zarate B. Is the future female for turtles? Climate change and wetland configuration predict sex ratios of a freshwater species. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:2643-2654. [PMID: 36723260 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and land-use change are leading drivers of biodiversity decline, affecting demographic parameters that are important for population persistence. For example, scientists have speculated for decades that climate change may skew adult sex ratios in taxa that express temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), but limited evidence exists that this phenomenon is occurring in natural settings. For species that are vulnerable to anthropogenic land-use practices, differential mortality among sexes may also skew sex ratios. We sampled the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), a freshwater species with TSD, across a large portion of its geographic range (Florida to Maine), to assess the environmental factors influencing adult sex ratios. We present evidence that suggests recent climate change has potentially skewed the adult sex ratio of spotted turtles, with samples following a pattern of increased proportions of females concomitant with warming trends, but only within the warmer areas sampled. At intermediate temperatures, there was no relationship with climate, while in the cooler areas we found the opposite pattern, with samples becoming more male biased with increasing temperatures. These patterns might be explained in part by variation in relative adaptive capacity via phenotypic plasticity in nest site selection. Our findings also suggest that spotted turtles have a context-dependent and multi-scale relationship with land use. We observed a negative relationship between male proportion and the amount of crop cover (within 300 m) when wetlands were less spatially aggregated. However, when wetlands were aggregated, sex ratios remained consistent. This pattern may reflect sex-specific patterns in movement that render males more vulnerable to mortality from agricultural machinery and other threats. Our findings highlight the complexity of species' responses to both climate change and land use, and emphasize the role that landscape structure can play in shaping wildlife population demographics.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Patrick Roberts
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lisabeth L Willey
- Department of Environmental Studies, Antioch University New England, Keene, New Hampshire, USA
- American Turtle Observatory, New Salem, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael T Jones
- Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas S B Akre
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - David I King
- U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John Kleopfer
- Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Charles City, Virginia, USA
| | - Donald J Brown
- U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Amboy, Washington, USA
- School of Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Scott W Buchanan
- Division of Fish and Wildlife, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, West Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Houston C Chandler
- The Orianne Society, Tiger, Georgia, USA
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Melissa Winters
- New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Concord, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Lori Erb
- The Mid-Atlantic Center for Herpetology and Conservation, Oley, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Katharine D Gipe
- Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Glenn Johnson
- Biology Department, State University of New York, Potsdam, New York, USA
| | - Kathryn Lauer
- Department of Environmental Studies, Antioch University New England, Keene, New Hampshire, USA
- American Turtle Observatory, New Salem, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eric B Liebgold
- Department of Biological Sciences, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan D Mays
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Jessica R Meck
- Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, Massachusetts, USA
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - Joshua Megyesy
- New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Concord, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Joel L Mota
- U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Amboy, Washington, USA
| | - Nathan H Nazdrowicz
- Species Conservation and Research Program, Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, Delaware, USA
| | - Kevin J Oxenrider
- West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Romney, West Virginia, USA
| | - Molly Parren
- American Turtle Observatory, New Salem, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tami S Ransom
- Environmental Studies Department, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland, USA
| | - Lindsay Rohrbaugh
- District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Scott Smith
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland, Wye Mills, USA
| | - Derek Yorks
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Augusta, Maine, USA
| | - Brian Zarate
- New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Lebanon, New Jersey, USA
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Easter T, Trautmann J, Gore M, Carter N. Media portrayal of the illegal trade in wildlife: The case of turtles in the US and implications for conservation. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tara Easter
- School for Environment and Sustainability University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Julia Trautmann
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and School for Environment and Sustainability University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Meredith Gore
- Department of Geographical Sciences University of Maryland College Park Maryland USA
| | - Neil Carter
- School for Environment and Sustainability University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
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Abstract
Turtles and tortoises (chelonians) have been integral components of global ecosystems for about 220 million years and have played important roles in human culture for at least 400,000 years. The chelonian shell is a remarkable evolutionary adaptation, facilitating success in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Today, more than half of the 360 living species and 482 total taxa (species and subspecies combined) are threatened with extinction. This places chelonians among the groups with the highest extinction risk of any sizeable vertebrate group. Turtle populations are declining rapidly due to habitat loss, consumption by humans for food and traditional medicines and collection for the international pet trade. Many taxa could become extinct in this century. Here, we examine survival threats to turtles and tortoises and discuss the interventions that will be needed to prevent widespread extinction in this group in coming decades.
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Macip-Ríos R, Merchant CA, Murillo EG, Ugalde AM, La Cruz-Merlo MD. Population Viability Analysis of Kinosternon hirtipes murrayi in Central México, with Notes on the Conservation Status of the Other Three Subspecies of the Lineage. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1436.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Macip-Ríos
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Atigua Cerretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701 Ex Hacienda San José la Huerta, Morelia, Michoacán, 58341 México [; carlosanaya.m@gmail
| | - Carlos Anaya Merchant
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Atigua Cerretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701 Ex Hacienda San José la Huerta, Morelia, Michoacán, 58341 México [; carlosanaya.m@gmail
| | - Eder Gaona Murillo
- Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Av. Francisco J. Mújica S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, Morelia, Michoacán, 58030 México []
| | - Alejandro Montiel Ugalde
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Atigua Cerretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701 Ex Hacienda San José la Huerta, Morelia, Michoacán, 58341 México [; carlosanaya.m@gmail
| | - Miriam De La Cruz-Merlo
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Blvd. Valsequillo y Av. San Clauido, Edificio 112-A, Ciudad Universitaria, Benemértia Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, 72570 México []
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Lawson L, Rollinson N. A simple model for the evolution of temperature-dependent sex determination explains the temperature sensitivity of embryonic mortality in imperiled reptiles. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab020. [PMID: 33996099 PMCID: PMC8111383 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A common reptile conservation strategy involves artificial incubation of embryos and release of hatchlings or juveniles into wild populations. Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) occurs in most chelonians, permitting conservation managers to bias sex ratios towards females by incubating embryos at high temperatures, ultimately allowing the introduction of more egg-bearing individuals into populations. Here, we revisit classic sex allocation theory and hypothesize that TSD evolved in some reptile groups (specifically, chelonians and crocodilians) because male fitness is more sensitive to condition (general health, vigor) than female fitness. It follows that males benefit more than females from incubation environments that confer high-quality phenotypes, and hence high-condition individuals. We predict that female-producing temperatures, which comprise relatively high incubation temperatures in chelonians and crocodilians, are relatively stressful for embryos and subsequent life stages. We synthesize data from 28 studies to investigate how constant temperature incubation affects embryonic mortality in chelonians with TSD. We find several lines of evidence suggesting that warm, female-producing temperatures are more stressful than cool, male-producing temperatures. Further, we find some evidence that pivotal temperatures (TPiv, the temperature that produces a 1:1 sex ratio) may exhibit a correlated evolution with embryonic thermal tolerance. If patterns of temperature-sensitive embryonic mortality are also indicative of chronic thermal stress that occurs post-hatching, then conservation programs may benefit from incubating eggs close to species-specific TPivs, thus avoiding high-temperature incubation. Indeed, our models predict that, on average, a sex ratio of >75% females can generally be achieved by incubating eggs only 1°C above TPiv. Of equal importance, we provide insight into the enigmatic evolution of TSD in chelonians, by providing support to the hypothesis that TSD evolution is related to the quality of the phenotype conferred by incubation temperature, with males produced in high-quality incubation environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Lawson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks St., Room 3055, Toronto ON, Canada M5S 3B2
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Suite 1016V, Toronto ON, Canada M5S 3E8
| | - Njal Rollinson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks St., Room 3055, Toronto ON, Canada M5S 3B2
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Suite 1016V, Toronto ON, Canada M5S 3E8
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6
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Short-term impacts of a record-shattering flood and dam removal on a river turtle assemblage and population placed within the context of a 50 year study. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2020.103699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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7
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Demographics and morphometrics of marsh terrapins (Pelomedusa galeata) and serrated hinged terrapins (Pelusios sinuatus) populations in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: skewed size-class bias concerns. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-021-00518-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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8
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Bannister CC, Thomson AJC, Cuculescu-Santana M. Can colored object enrichment reduce the escape behavior of captive freshwater turtles? Zoo Biol 2021; 40:160-168. [PMID: 33544907 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The effect of environmental enrichment on the behavior and welfare in captivity of reptiles and of freshwater turtles in particular, which are popular aquarium and pet species, is very little studied compared to other taxa. We carried out a small scale case-study on the effect of colored object enrichment, with and without fish scent, on the behavior of a group of 15 cooters (Pseudemys sp.) and sliders (Trachemys scripta ssp.) on display at a public aquarium. The new enrichment aimed to reduce the escape behavior (interaction with transparent boundaries) and increase exploration and random swimming. We used simultaneous recording of behavior at whole group level and for focal individually-marked turtles. The escape behavior decreased on days with new enrichment before feeding at whole group level and for the focal turtles overall, in spite of the relatively low interest in the colored objects. Fish-scented objects attracted significantly more interest. Random swimming, enrichment focus, aggression and submission increased significantly, and basking decreased significantly at whole group level before feeding, with smaller differences after feeding. There were large differences between individual turtles with respect to activity budgets and changes in behavior on days with new enrichment, with both increases and decreases seen in escape behavior, aggression, and levels of activity. Our outcomes suggested that introducing new colored objects with food scent may be beneficial for reducing escape behavior in captive freshwater turtles. However, careful monitoring of effects at individual level and much larger scale investigations, including postenrichment periods, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callum C Bannister
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Angus J C Thomson
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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9
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Selman W, Lindeman PV. The Map Turtles and Sawbacks (Testudines: Emydidae: Graptemys): Two Centuries of Study and the Conservation Imperative. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2744/1071-8443.19.2.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Will Selman
- Biology Department, Millsaps College, 1701 North State Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39210 USA []
| | - Peter V. Lindeman
- Department of Biology and Health Sciences, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, Pennsylvania 16444 USA []
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10
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Garig DF, Ennen JR, Davenport JM. The Effects of Common Snapping Turtles on a Freshwater Food Web. COPEIA 2020. [DOI: 10.1643/ce-19-258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dustin F. Garig
- Department of Biology, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701
| | - Joshua R. Ennen
- Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37405
| | - Jon M. Davenport
- Department of Biology, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701
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11
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Abstract
Climate change is occurring at an unprecedented rate and has begun to modify the distribution and phenology of organisms worldwide. Chelonians are expected to be particularly vulnerable due to limited dispersal capabilities as well as widespread temperature-dependent sex determination. The number of papers published about the effects of climate change on turtles has increased exponentially over the last decade; here, I review the data from peer-reviewed publications to assess the likely impacts of climate change on individuals, populations, and communities. Based upon these studies future research should focus on: (1) Individual responses to climate change, particularly with respect to thermal biology, phenology, and microhabitat selection; (2) improving species distribution models by incorporating fine-scale environmental variables as well as physiological processes; (3) identifying the consequences of skewed sex ratios; and (4) assessments of community resilience and the development of methods to mitigate climate change impacts. Although detailed management recommendations are not possible at this point, careful consideration should be given regarding how to manage low vagility species as habitats shift poleward. In the worst-case scenario, proactive management may be required in order to ensure that widespread losses do not occur.
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12
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Long-Term Variation in Survival of A Neotropical Freshwater Turtle: Habitat and Climatic Influences. DIVERSITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/d11060097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Few long-term demographic studies have been conducted on freshwater turtles of South America, despite the need for this type of inquiry to investigate natural variation and strengthen conservation efforts for these species. In this study, we examined the variation in demography of the Chocoan River Turtle (Rhinoclemmys nasuta) based on a population from an island locality in the Colombian Pacific region between 2005 and 2017. We calculated survival, recapture, and transition probabilities, and the effects of stream substrate and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases (El Niño, Neutral, La Niña) on these variables using a multi-state model. We found differences in survival probabilities between ENSO phases, likely as a consequence of an increase in flood events. In addition, we found support for survival being greater in muddy streams than rocky streams, possibly because it is easier to escape or hide in mud substrates. Recapture probabilities varied by life stages; differences in the probability of recapture between size classes were associated with the high fidelity to territories by adults. The present increases in frequency and severity of El Niño and La Niña may exacerbate the consequences of climatic regimes on natural populations of turtles by increasing the mortality caused by drastic phenomena such as floods.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cundall
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, 1 W. Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
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14
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Assessing the Impacts of Urbanization on Sex Ratios of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta). DIVERSITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/d11050072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Turtles are particularly susceptible to the negative impacts of urbanization due to low mobility and a life history strategy emphasizing long generation times and high adult survival. In addition to declines directly through habitat loss, urbanization has been hypothesized to limit populations of aquatic turtles through changes in population structure, as adult females are disproportionally killed on and near roads, leading to male-biased populations, which can lead to population declines or local extirpations. The purpose of this study was to better understand how urbanization impacts the sex ratios of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) in an urban ecosystem, as empirical results linking male-biased turtle populations to roads and urbanization are mixed. Using eight years of trapping data from a long-term monitoring program in a suburb of Chicago, IL, USA, we report one of the most male-biased populations ( x ¯ = 75% male) of turtles in the USA, consistent with prevailing road mortality hypotheses. However, we found no evidence that male-biased populations were related to road density or the amount of protected area around a sampling location and found that impervious surface (a metric of urbanization) was weakly related to less male-biased populations. Our results highlight the importance of replicating ecological studies across space and time and the difficulty in assessing population structure in aquatic turtles. We suggest that active conservation measures may be warranted for the continued persistence of urban turtle populations.
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