Emergence Season and Survival in the Nest of Hatchling Turtles in Southcentral New Hampshire
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Abstract:
We report the season of emergence from the nest of hatchlings of five species of freshwater turtles from a wetlands/stream/lake complex in southcentral New Hampshire from 1988–1994. Only hatchling Chrysemys picta (Painted Turtle) overwintered in the nest and emerged the following spring, although there were some cases of autumn emergence, as well as some nests with hatchlings that emerged in both seasons. In nests monitored over the winter, mortality ranged from 26–100%. Hatchlings of the other four species—Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle), Glyptemys insculpta (Wood Turtle), Clemmys guttata (Spotted Turtle), and Emydoidea blandingii (Blanding's Turtle)—emerged only in autumn.Keywords:
Hatchling
Chelydra
Painted turtle
Nesting season
Abstract: Road mortality has the potential to alter the structure of turtle populations because turtle populations are highly sensitive to additive sources of adult mortality. To address the issue, we captured painted turtles ( Chrysemys picta ; n = 174) and snapping turtles ( Chelydra serpentina ; n = 56) in 18 wetlands surrounded by low road density (≤1.5 km roads/km 2 of landscape) and 17 wetlands surrounded by high road density (>1.5 km/km 2 ) in central New York in 2002. High road density was associated with male‐biased sex ratios in painted turtles (74% vs. 54% males; p = 0.01) and snapping turtles (95% vs. 74% males; p = 0.08), whereas turtle morphology and abundance were not associated with road density. Disproportionate road mortality of females on nesting migrations is the most likely cause of skewed sex ratios.
Chelydra
Painted turtle
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Hatchling
Chelydra
Painted turtle
Animal ecology
Altricial
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Unlike birds and mammals, in many reptiles the temperature experienced by a developing embryo determines its gonadal sex. To understand how temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) evolves, we must first determine the nature of genetic variation for sex ratio. Here, we analyze among-family variation for sex ratio in three TSD species: the American alligator (Alligator mississipiensis), the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta). Significant family effects and significant temperature effects were detected in all three species. In addition, family-by-temperature interactions were evident in the alligator and the snapping turtle, but not in the painted turtle. Overall, the among-family variation detected in this study indicates potential for sex-ratio evolution in at least three reptiles with TSD. Consequently, climate change scenarios that are posited on the presumption that sex-ratio evolution in TSD reptiles is genetically constrained may require reevaluation.
Chelydra
Painted turtle
American alligator
Variation (astronomy)
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Chelydra
Painted turtle
Oviparity
Yolk
Avian clutch size
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Abstract Neonatal painted turtles ( Chrysemys picta ) do not emerge from their nest immediately upon hatching but instead remain inside the nest cavity until the following spring. Because the nest chamber is only 7–12 cm beneath the surface of the ground, hatchlings in northerly populations may be exposed to subzero temperatures during their first winter of life. We studied the pattern of survival by hatchling painted turtles exposed to subzero temperatures in a controlled laboratory experiment and discovered that 50% of the animals in our samples could withstand exposure to approximately −8.6°C for 18 hr. In contrast, hatchling snapping turtles ( Chelydra serpentina ) died at −2°C. This extraordinary ability for hatchling painted turtles to withstand exposure to subzero temperatures is a key feature in the unusual life history of the species and distinguishes painted turtles from other species occurring at high latitudes.
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Painted turtle
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Abstract Procedures for experiments on the embryo of the turtle are described. Methods of obtaining the gravid females, their handling, and preoperative preparation of the egg are described. The actual operation can be carried out much as it is done on the chick embryo. Post‐operative care is described. Survival can be satisfactory. Hazards of the procedure are discussed and means of controlling them indicated. Most of the experiments were done with embryos of the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina. A few experiments were done with embryos of the painted turtle, Chrysemys picta , and of the soft‐shelled turtle, Trionyx spiniferus. The embryos of the painted turtle promise to be well suited to use for experimental studies. The soft‐shelled turtle is not such a promising form.
Chelydra
Painted turtle
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Chelydra
Painted turtle
Wildlife refuge
Sea turtle
Hatchling
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Repair of certain chelonian shell fractures can be performed without screws, wires, drilling, or patches. The authors have used this procedure successfully on a number of species, including snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina), painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), sliders (Trachemys spp.), and diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin). The process is quick and minimally stressful for the turtle.
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Painted turtle
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In 2005, we assessed the occurrence of leeches on semi-aquatic turtles in nine ponds in the North Carolina Piedmont. Placobdella parasitica (smooth turtle leech) was the only parasitic leech found on turtles and was present on turtles from all ponds. Female Chrysemys picta (Painted Turtles) were more frequently parasitized than males (females 54.7%, males 40.9%; p = 0.039), possibly because they are larger and provide more surface for leech attachment. Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtles) had the highest leech load of any species (mean = 32.3/turtle), which we attributed to its large size and bottom-dwelling habits. Most leeches were found attached to the underside of marginal scutes or between the plastron and inguinal region. These sites likely offer protection from the environment when a turtle emerges from the water.
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Painted turtle
Aquatic insect
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We report the season of emergence from the nest of hatchlings of five species of freshwater turtles from a wetlands/stream/lake complex in southcentral New Hampshire from 1988–1994. Only hatchling Chrysemys picta (Painted Turtle) overwintered in the nest and emerged the following spring, although there were some cases of autumn emergence, as well as some nests with hatchlings that emerged in both seasons. In nests monitored over the winter, mortality ranged from 26–100%. Hatchlings of the other four species—Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle), Glyptemys insculpta (Wood Turtle), Clemmys guttata (Spotted Turtle), and Emydoidea blandingii (Blanding's Turtle)—emerged only in autumn.
Hatchling
Chelydra
Painted turtle
Nesting season
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