[PDF] Demography Of The Spotted Turtle Clemmys Guttata In Illinois eBook

Author : Wayne G. Landis
Publisher :
Page : 18 pages
File Size : 45,29 MB
Release : 1983
Category :
ISBN :

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The population dynamics and structure of the spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata, were studies from 1970 until 1982. Carroll Island was the site of chemical testing from post WW II until 1971. Special consideration was given to the impact upon the populations of turtles by the chemicals released on Carroll Island. Several findings are noteworthy. The number of juveniles on the island has steadily declined over the 12 years of sampling. The current (1982) population is half of that estimated for 1972-73. The proportion of females dropped as low as 0.25 of the population. Four possible hypotheses are delivered to explain the observations. The most likely explanations are that a temperature anomaly or natural catastrophe dramatically reduced the proportion of females present. At the same time the population of turtles overshot the carrying capacity of the environment after cessation of an artificial or natural constraint.

Author : Scott Shupe
Publisher : Simon and Schuster
Page : 321 pages
File Size : 33,38 MB
Release : 2019-04-02
Category : Nature
ISBN : 1510728902

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Illinois’s wildlife has always played an important role in the history of human beings inhabiting the state. Native Americans depended on birds, mammals, and fish for sustenance and the state’s first Europeans came in search of Beaver and buckskins. Although the state’s wildlife is still an important resource for human consumption, wildlife is also increasingly important in today’s culture for its intrinsic, aesthetic value. For many Illinoisans, the age-old traditions of hunting and fishing have been replaced by a desire to simply observe wildlife and experience nature. But most Illinoisans are largely unaware of the diversity of species inhabiting their state. This volume is intended to provide an introduction to the state’s fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. In The Illinois Wildlife Encyclopedia, nationally known naturalist Scott Shupe has collected information on all the wildlife that reside in the Prairie State. The fourth volume in a series of state wildlife encyclopedias, this book will be a handy, usable, layman’s guide to Illinois’ wildlife. Included are over 800 color photographs, depicting the different species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish, while also offering over 600 range maps to show their territory. Along with basic information for the biology of each animal, Shupe includes the size, habitat, and abundance of each species located in the state. Whether you’re a lover of the outdoors, photography, or are looking to learn more about your state, this comprehensive guide will teach you about the wonderful wildlife that covers the water, earth, and skies of Illinois.

Author : Amanda M. Rocker
Publisher :
Page : 88 pages
File Size : 44,60 MB
Release : 2022
Category : Clemmys guttata
ISBN :

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Reptiles are experiencing decreased population sizes and declines in number of populations. Despite this overall pattern, for many species, there remains insufficient data to understand population trends, let alone the specific causes of these declines. One species experiencing severe declines, but sparse assessment is the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), a freshwater species found in wetlands in Eastern North America and classified as endangered under the IUCN Red List. This decline likely has occurred because of potential threats such as predation, collection for the pet trade, and habitat loss. I studied the size class distributions of turtles in Maryland and Delaware populations based on frequency of juvenile and adult turtles. I found that C. guttata populations had a negatively skewed size distributions at all study sites. However, they were primarily individuals in the 90-100 mm plastron length size range, while larger, older, individuals were not typically present. Additionally, I analyzed the potential predation of C. guttata based on predator-caused injuries and assessing predator abundance via camera traps. Clemmys guttata had a greater rate of predator-caused injuries compared to other common turtle species; however, there was no correlation between injury rate and predator activity, specifically regarding raccoons (Procyon lotor). My results suggest while there was a large proportion of adults in populations of C. guttata at my sites, very old adults were absent. This was potentially caused, in part, due to predation, but the explanation for high injury rates of C. guttata is complicated and likely involves other factors such as human removal for the pet trade.