Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel Guinto, Matthew Cross, Gregory Lipps Jr, Yuman Lee, Bruce Kingsbury, Daniel Earl, Connor Dempsey, Jessica Hinson, Mark Jordan
Summary: The genetic diversity and population structure of the Blanding's Turtle in the Great Lakes region were investigated using microsatellite loci. Results showed high genetic diversity and low differentiation among sample localities. However, modeling suggests that many localities in the region are vulnerable to genetic loss in the next 200 years.
Article
Zoology
A. Hjort Toms, L. V. T. Browning, J. E. Paterson, S. Y. J. Angoh, C. M. Davy
Summary: The study found that spotted turtles exhibit cathemeral diel patterns, while Blanding's turtles are primarily diurnal. Nocturnal activity by spotted turtles is not limited to the nesting season and does not provide thermoregulatory benefits, possibly allowing for increased time for foraging or mate-seeking.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tharusha Wijewardena, Matthew G. Keevil, Nicholas E. Mandrak, Andrew M. Lentini, Jacqueline D. Litzgus
Summary: Freshwater turtle populations are declining globally due to human activities. Urban turtle populations are particularly vulnerable to threats such as road mortality and predation, which can cause drastic changes in population size and structure. A headstarting program was implemented in Rouge National Urban Park in Canada to recover the Blanding's Turtles population. The program released a total of 270 headstarted turtles from 2014 to 2020, with an estimated abundance of 183 turtles in 2020. Survival rate of the headstarted turtles reached 89%, except for the turtles released in 2019 due to a mass mortality event. Monitoring and evaluation of the program's success require long-term monitoring of the headstarted turtles' growth and reproductive capacity.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Scott A. Tarof, Steven Crookes, Kelsey Moxley, Jeff Hathaway, Graham Cameron, Robert H. Hanner
Summary: The study demonstrates the effectiveness of using eDNA to detect the presence of Blanding's turtles in wetland habitats, with positive detection linked to field observations of turtle abundance.
Article
Zoology
Callie Klatt Golba, Gary A. Glowacki, Richard B. King
Summary: Head-starting is an effective conservation strategy to increase recruitment of Blanding's Turtles. Long-term studies show that head-started juveniles perform similarly to wild-hatched juveniles, despite being larger in size. Additionally, adult survival is estimated to be 95% with stable population growth.
ICHTHYOLOGY AND HERPETOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Samantha E. Bradley, Laura Adamovicz, Kirsten Andersson, Lauren Mumm, Gary Glowacki, Matthew C. Allender
Summary: This study evaluates two methods of ESR measurement in Blanding's turtles and finds that the microhematocrit tube method overestimates ESR. ESR values are associated with various factors and can be used to assess inflammatory conditions in turtles.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Zoology
D. M. L. Gasbarrini, D. Lesbarreres, A. Sheppard, J. D. Litzgus
Summary: Mass mortality events can significantly impact population viability, particularly for long-lived species. Through examining potential causes such as disease and winter-kill, the study identified predation as the most likely cause of a mass mortality event of Blanding's Turtles, emphasizing the importance of habitat management for conservation of endangered species.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Vincent K. Fyson, Gabriel Blouin-Demers
Summary: The presence of Blanding's Turtles in wetlands is influenced by the surrounding landscape, with wetlands surrounded by forest and undisturbed lands being more likely to harbour the species. Larger wetlands and a high proportion of wetlands in the surrounding landscape also increase the probability of occupancy by Blanding's Turtles. Older wetlands are more likely to be occupied by Blanding's Turtles as well. Estimating a species' probability of occupancy can assist in conservation efforts and critical habitat delineation.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Justin D. Congdon, Kurt A. Buhlmann, J. Whitfield Gibbons
Summary: Evolutionary theories predict major differences in life-history trait values between long- and short-lived organisms. Research reveals that chicken turtles (Deirochelys reticularia) have a maximum longevity of 21 yrs, making them a short-lived turtle species. Short-lived female chicken turtles invest in high fecundity and produce large eggs, which may be why juvenile survivorship has a greater influence on population change rates than adult survivorship. In contrast, adult survivorship has the greatest influence on population change rates of the long-lived Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii).
CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Richard B. King, Callie K. Golba, Gary A. Glowacki, Andrew R. Kuhns
Summary: Population viability analysis of the Blanding's turtle highlighted the significance of population size in responding to uncertainty and geographic variation. Results showed a higher probability of extinction under uncertainty and catastrophic scenarios.
JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joseph S. Cannizzaro, Sandra L. Koch, William H. Graser
Summary: In this study, mammalian hair from a muskrat was discovered in the feces of a Blanding's Turtle. This is the first recorded mammalian food item and the second novel prey item documented in the diet of a Blanding's Turtle at this site. Further diet studies on this turtle are suggested in light of this discovery.
NORTHEASTERN NATURALIST
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
James F. Welch, Bryan Windmiller, John Berkholtz
Summary: This unique observation presents the first record of Nicrophorus hebes utilizing turtle carrion and the first natural observation of the use of turtle carcasses by a Nicrophorus species. It has significant implications for the study of food webs within wetlands and the prey items burying beetles are using within wetland habitats.
NORTHEASTERN NATURALIST
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Katie J. A. Goodwin, Carissa D. Brown
Summary: This study used non-metric multidimensional scaling to investigate the impact of tundra microsite conditions and changes in plant community on the requirements of black spruce at different life stages. The results showed that the microsite associations of black spruce change throughout its life cycle, primarily driven by changes in plant community and soil moisture. These associations limit the establishment and reproduction of black spruce to a subset of microsites available within the heterogeneous landscape.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fanny Girard, Sidonie Catteau, Delphine Gambaiani, Olivia Gerigny, Jean Baptiste Senegas, Pierre Moisson, Francoise Claro
Summary: Climate-induced environmental changes have led to significant impacts on marine ecosystems and altered species distribution, particularly for migratory organisms like sea turtles. A study in the French Mediterranean over the past 30 years showed a notable increase in the size and reproductive activity of loggerhead turtles, especially during the breeding season. Evidence suggests that the north-western Mediterranean basin has become more suitable for loggerhead turtles as a result of climate change.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jesus Villellas, Johan Ehrlen, Elizabeth E. Crone, Anna Maria Csergo, Maria B. Garcia, Anna-Liisa Laine, Deborah A. Roach, Roberto Salguero-Gomez, Glenda M. Wardle, Dylan Z. Childs, Bret D. Elderd, Alain Finn, Sergi Munne-Bosch, Benedicte Bachelot, Judit Bodis, Anna Bucharova, Christina M. Caruso, Jane A. Catford, Matthew Coghill, Aldo Compagnoni, Richard P. Duncan, John M. Dwyer, Aryana Ferguson, Lauchlan H. Fraser, Emily Griffoul, Ronny Groenteman, Liv Norunn Hamre, Aveliina Helm, Ruth Kelly, Lauri Laanisto, Michele Lonati, Zuzana Munzbergova, Paloma Nuche, Siri Lie Olsen, Adrian Oprea, Meelis Partel, William K. Petry, Satu Ramula, Pil U. Rasmussen, Simone Ravetto Enri, Anna Roeder, Christiane Roscher, Cheryl Schultz, Olav Skarpaas, Annabel L. Smith, Ayco J. M. Tack, Joachim Paul Topper, Peter A. Vesk, Gregory E. Vose, Elizabeth Wandrag, Astrid Wingler, Yvonne M. Buckley
Summary: Genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity play different roles in shaping intraspecific trait variation, with reproductive traits more genetically determined in short-lived plants. Field observations suggest that genetic differentiation may be inferred from observational data only for traits closely related to fitness.