Joshua Axe Department of Biological Sciences, York College of Pennsylvania Introduction The red-eared slider’s native home range is within states of the.

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations
Reptile Identification Turtles, Lizards & Snakes March 2013.
Advertisements

Basking Habits of Aquatic Turtles in Lake Marburg David Batchelor Department of Biology, York College of PA Painted Red Eared Slider Red Bellied Hypotheses.
Turtles, Tortoises, Terrapins Order: Chelonia
Mule Deer Plan Population Objective Strategies h & k Implement a method to collect annual adult doe and fawn mortality estimates on representative units.
American Marten Study ~ Iron County Zach Wilson, Hurley & Mercer High Schools, General Public, North Lakeland Discovery Center, WDNR, Iron County Forestry.
Movement Patterns and Microhabitat of Red-Backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) Introduction Studying movements and microhabitat of a common, widespread.
Winter Reproduction of Peromyscus in Rider Park, Lycoming Co., PA K.W Hopkins, A.K. Smolarek, and D.R. Broussard Department of Biology, Lycoming College,
Use of Headcount Surveys to Estimate the Relative Abundance of Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin centrata) at Masonboro Island, North Carolina.
Conservation of Non-breeding Crested Caracaras in Florida James F. Dwyer 1, James D. Fraser 1, and Joan L. Morrison Cheatham Hall, Department Fisheries.
The Effects of Rehabilitation After Reconstructive Surgery of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament using a Hamstring Graft Bernice Carr, Department of Biology,
Conclusions There was no significant difference in deer activity at night and day or between lunar cycles. Deer may have a weak tendency to be more active.
FACTORS AFFECTING NESTING SUCCESS OF COEXISTING SHOREBIRDS AT GREAT SALT LAKE, UTAH John F. Cavitt, Department of Zoology, Weber State University The Great.
Confidence Interval A confidence interval (or interval estimate) is a range (or an interval) of values used to estimate the true value of a population.
Turtles.
Populations and Home Range Relationships of the Box Turtle Emily Marquardt February 15, 2007 Emily Marquardt February 15, 2007.
Analysis of clutch size variation for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting on Bald Head Island, NC USA Melissa Hedges 1,2 & Jim Berkson 2 1.
The influence of ambient and den temperature on the above-ground activity of woodchucks (Marmota monax) in south-central Pennsylvania Mary Riley and Bradley.
The Effectiveness of Bromine as a Method to Stop Microbial Invasions via Ballast Water By: Sarah Chmielewski Department of Biological Sciences, York College.
The Brunner Island Power Plant: The Seasonal Effects of a Generated Thermal Plume on the Phytoplankton, Periphyton, and Macroinvertebrate Populations of.
Predation on guppies (Poecilia reticulata) by oscar cichlids (Astronotus ocellatus): effects of varying prey color and prey size Jason Fowler, Department.
 “ Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting endangered plant and animal species and their habitats. Among the goals of wildlife conservation.
Introduction Barn owls (Tyto alba) are the most widely distributed species of owls in the World, but their population is experiencing a decline in Pennsylvania.
Differences in Predation Responses of Native and Invasive Freshwater Turtles Victoria Kentner Department of Biological Sciences, York College of Pennsylvania.
A Retrospective Study of the Association of Obesity and Overweight with Admission Rate within York Hospital Emergency Department for Acute Asthma Exacerbations.
A Study of the Red-Bellied Turtle (Pseudemys rubriventris) Population in Lake Marburg Located in Codorus Park,Hanover (PA) INTRODUCTION A population of.
INVADING TURTLES: Basking activities of Invasive Sliders (Trachemys scripta) in Lake Marburg, PA. Kevin Carlson – Department of Biology, York College INTRODUCTION.
Prey utilization by barn owls (Tyto alba) Dustin Kern Department of Biological Sciences, York College of Pennsylvania Objective Results Conclusions Acknowledgements.
Introduction Oithona similis is the most abundant copepod in the Gulf of Alaska, and is a dominant in many ecosystems from the poles to the sub-tropics.
Comparing aquatic macroinvertebrates communities between native and invasive plant species in Mill Creek Shelly Wesner Department of Biological Sciences,
Introduction Indwelling urinary catheters are used frequently in various settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, acute care hospitals, and in extended.
Identifying Hydric Soil Inclusions in Designated Nonhydric Primary Farmlands via Soil Analysis Azfar Syed Department of Biological Sciences, York College.
What is the density of different species of turtles found in traps in Lake Romeyn? How much does the temperature affect the number of turtles caught?
A Study of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) in Lake Marburg at Codorus State Park Olivia Yaple, Department of Biology, York College Introduction Methods.
Background o Pesticides are broadly used by humans to control and eliminate unwanted species of insects and plants. o More than one billion pounds of pesticides.
Characteristics of Populations
Feeding Strategies of Gelatinous Zooplankton Collected at Wallops Island Jennifer L. Cole and Dr. Jessica Nolan Department of Biological Sciences, York.
A Comparative Stream Study of Two First Order Streams in Nixon Park, York PA Susan Price Department of Biological Sciences, York College Introduction Macroinvertebrates.
A study of the Red-Bellied Turtle Population, Pseudemys rubriventris, at Codorus State Park Rick Harabin Department of Biological Sciences, York College.
Introduction The effects of human recreation on wildlife populations have been of particular interest due to the rapid increase in outdoor recreational.
The Red Eared Slider Turtle BY: DAWSON PITCOCK MR. JONES CLASS 1 ST PERIOD.
Distribution of hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) on a remote island in the Great South Bay, NY Ryan Schab Department of Biological Sciences, York College.
Results Comparison Among Selected Megagametophytic Stages of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh Landsberg Erecta and Colombia Ecotypes Jaime Stum Department.
A Survey of Diel-Vertical Migration of Freshwater Zooplankton at Pinchot Lake Eric Holtzapple Department of Biological Sciences, York College of Pennsylvania.
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) By Liz Yaslik NYC Ecology Wiki.
Movement of Red-bellied turtles (Pseudemys rubriventris) throughout Lake Marburg at Codorus State Park, Hanover, PA Stephanie Rice, Department of Biology,
BIOL 4240 Field Ecology. How many? “Estimates of abundance themselves are not valuable, and a large book filled with estimates of the abundance of every.
Plants, animals, and microbes not native to a region which, when introduced either accidentally or intentionally, out-compete native species for available.
Challenges Facing Iowa’s Turtle Populations Chad R. Dolan Iowa DNR Southeast Regional Office 110 Lake Darling Road Brighton, IA
Chapter 5. Vanishing species Biodiversity = Variety of life in an area –# of species Where is the greatest biodiversity? –Warm places more biodiversity.
Results I) Regional Survey Rarefaction curves leveled off across sites, suggesting that the sample effort was sufficient to capture differences between.
Tahoe Basin Black Bear Project: Home Range Analysis and Use of Urban Areas California Department of Fish and Wildlife Principle Investigator: Mario Klip.
Feeding Behavior of Myotis lucifugus and Eptesicus fuscus Holt,J.,G. Basinsky, T. Floria, R. Friesen, A. Page, and J. Paula. Department of Biology, Fitchburg.
 Endangered specie is a species whose population is so low that the species is at risk of going extinct.  5 of the most common reasons for endangerment.
Predators and the Strength of Preferences for Familiar Schools in the Fathead Minnow, Pimphales promelas Jessica A. Jadlocki York College of Pennsylvania.
The Impact of Nutrients on Picophytoplankton Populations Along the Atlantic Coast Melinda Norris and Dr. Jessica Nolan Conclusions  The phytoplankton.
Competition between mourning Doves and Eurasian collared doves A research project conducted by Philip Earhart Undergraduate Student Tennessee Technological.
Detection of Invasive Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) by Allegheny Crayfish (Orconectes obscurus) Presented by: Joshua Brennan Hypotheses.
IMPACT OF ROAD SALT ON THE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND SWIMMING ENDURANCE OF THE BLACKNOSE DACE (RHINICHTHYS ATRATULUS) Kateline Robinson Department of Biology,
Conference talk was presented at: Urban Wildlife Ecology and Management: An International Symposium on Urban Wildlife and the Environment University of.
Effects of Stream Restoration: A Comparative Study of Pine Run in Felton, Pennsylvania Luke Mummert, Department of Biological Sciences, York College of.
Initial Assessment of Habitat Use by Stocked Lake Sturgeon in the Genesee River D. E. DITTMAN 1 and E. C. ZOLLWEG 2 1 Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science,
By: Jessica Browne and Alanna MacDonald
Winter Flounder Spawning Areas in New Haven Harbor
N. W. Byer­1,3, B. N. Reid1,4, R. A. Seigel2, and M. Z. Peery1
Significance Test for the Difference of Two Proportions
Biology, History, and Damage Caused by Resident Canada Geese
A New System For Marking Hatchling Turtles
Lobsters in a pinch: Epizootic shell disease in the American Lobster
Eastern Bird Banding Association Annual Meeting, April 9-11, 2010
The Eel’s Amazing Migration: A Focus on the Adult Spawning Run
Presentation transcript:

Joshua Axe Department of Biological Sciences, York College of Pennsylvania Introduction The red-eared slider’s native home range is within states of the Mississippi Valley. Through the pet trade, it has become an invasive species worldwide (Ernst et al. 1989) including Lake Marburg located in southwestern York County, Pa. Red-eared sliders have been found to compete with native turtle species, such as the European pond turtle and Spanish terrapin, for resources including nesting and basking sites (Cadi & Joly 2003, Polo- Cavia et al. 2010). Of importance in Lake Marburg is the native red-bellied turtle which is a threatened species due to pollution and industrial/residential development (Ernst et al. 1994, Swarth 2003). It is unknown if the red-eared slider and red-bellied turtle compete, but if they have overlapping home ranges this could increase the possibility of competition. Of the 14 red-eared sliders caught in Lake Marburg during summer of 2009 and 2010 (Haneschlager 2011, Harbin 2009), none were recaptured. Researchers hypothesized they were not recaptured because they moved throughout the entire lake. A home range that encompasses the whole lake would give red-eared sliders more access to food, nesting locations, and basking sites. A home range should include an undisturbed nesting location, an area to feed, an area to bask in colder months, and a cooler area to estivate in hotter months (Bonin et al. 2006). Understanding the movement and home ranges of the red-eared slider is critical in determining whether they are competing with native species of turtles. In order to determine the home ranges of this species within Lake Marburg, I used radio- telemetry to track movement of four red-eared sliders. Objectives To estimate the population of red-eared sliders within Lake Marburg. To monitor the movement of red-eared sliders and to determine their home ranges. Hypotheses H 1 : I hypothesize that red-eared sliders have large home ranges and move throughout the whole lake. H 2 : I hypothesize that red-eared sliders move to the center of the lake as summer progresses to estivate. Methods Basking and baited traps were placed at three locations near permanent basking platforms. Traps were checked daily during an approximate one week period each month. Once captured, the following measurements were taken on each turtle: weight and carapace length, width, and height. For future identification, marginal scutes were notched using a file. Population estimates were made using the Schnabel Method (Schnabel, 1934). Two adult male and two adult females were tagged with Wildlife Materials transmitters at frequencies in the MHz range. Locations were taken at least once a week from May to September with a Field Marshall 1000 digital tracking receiver. Home range sizes were estimated using the minimum convex polygon method (Mohr, 1947). Literature Cited Bonin F, Devaux B, Dupré A Turtles of the world. John Hopkins University Press., Baltimore, Md. Cadi, A., and Joly, P Competition for basking places between the endangered European pond turtle (Emys orbicularisgallotindica) and the introduces red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans). Canadian Journal of Zoology. 81(8): Ernst, C. H., Lovich J. E., and Barbour R. W Turtles of the United States and Canada. Washington, D.C. Smithsonian Institution Press. Ernst, C. H., Barbour R. W Turtles of the World. Washington, D.C. Smithsonian Institution Press. Haneschlager, L Study of the red-bellied (Pseudemys rubriventris) population in Lake Marburg located in Codorus Park, PA. Harbin, R A study of the red-bellied turtle population, Pseudemys rubriventris, at Codorus State Park. Mohr, C. O Table of equivalent populations in North American small mammals. The American Midland Naturalist. 37: Polo-Cavia, Nuria, and Pilar Lopez, and Jose Martin. "Competitive Interactions during Basking between Native and Invasive Freshwater Turtle Species.” Biological Invasions (2010): Schnabel, Z.E The estimation of the total fish population of a lake. American. Mathematical Monthly. 45: Swarth, C.W Natural History and Reproductive Biology of the Red-Bellied Turtle (Pseudemys rubriventris). P73-83 In: Swarth, C.W., Roosenburg, W.M. and Kiviat, E. (eds.). Conservation and Ecology of Turtles of the Mid-Atlantic Region: A Symposium. Bibliomania! Publishing Co., Salt Lake City, Ut. Results Discussion There was no change in number of turtles caught per month. In May, it was easier to net the turtles as colder temperatures caused the turtles to move slowly. Males were found to remain in one large cove or move between two smaller adjacent coves. Females were found to have a similar pattern but had a larger home range and moved more often. At the beginning of August all turtles stopped moving. One male remained within the cove, whereas the other male and female moved to the edge of their cove. No turtles moved to deepest part of the lake as hypothesized. Over the summer, red-eared sliders were observed throughout the lake. Given their small home ranges, the population estimate for the lake is likely underestimated. Therefore, a population estimate was made for each home range and an estimate of total number of possible home ranges within the lake was made. Given this, I believe the population estimate for the lake is closer to 700 turtles. Future Research A larger sample size needs to be tagged in order to verify determined home ranges and over a larger number of coves in the lake Tag females to locate possible nesting sites and estimate clutch size Acknowledgments A special thanks to Dr. Nolan for all her help and guidance. Also to Codorus State Park, DCNR, and PA Fish and Boat for issuing permits and allowing me to perform my research. Conclusions Based on home range sizes found in this study, all the resources needed to survive appear to be within one or two coves, allowing them to remain there year round. The population estimate for the lake was 188 but is believed to be underestimated due to turtles having a limited range. Given the limited range of the red-eared slider I believe the competition for resources with the red- bellied turtle, based on home range size, is not as significant as previously assumed. Figure 7. Home range of male red-eared sliders represented by black polygons. Circle size represents number of weeks spent at the location. Figure 8. Home range of female red-eared sliders represented by black polygons. Circle size represents number of weeks spent at the location. The female in chapel cove disappeared two weeks into June. Her shell was found later in the summer and appeared to have been hit by a propeller blade. LocationPopulation 95% Confidence Interval UpperLower Whole Lake Dubs Cove Chapel Cove Table 1. Population Estimates and 95% Confidence Intervals of the Red-Eared Slider within Lake Marburg. Estimates were made for individual coves due to turtles limited home range. Figure 1. Basking trap Figure 2. Dr. Nolan using the Field Marshall 1000 digital tracking receiver Figure 3. Baited trap Figure 4. Vertical view of male red-eared slider with transmitter attached Figure 5. Horizontal view of male red-eared slider with transmitter attached