Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2024
Publication Title
Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science
Abstract
Turtle populations are declining globally, and yet accurate long-term population surveys are often lacking. Even amongst widespread species, information on long-term population trends is largely missing. As such, studies on demographics, population structure, and factors that affect capture efficacy are needed. In 2019 we began a long-term study on Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) in the Couteau des Prairie habitat in northeastern South Dakota. We captured turtles using several trapping techniques and investigated the effects of short- and long-term weather variables on catch per unit effort. Temperature was positively associated with daily capture rates, showing the strongest relationship with the temperature on the day of capture, and less so with the temperature on the day preceding capture. All other short-term weather conditions did not exhibit a statistically significant association with trapping efficacy. These data suggest that increased temperature may increase turtle movement, thus increasing chances of capture. Total monthly precipitation was strongly and negatively correlated with total catch per unit effort, showing the highest correlation with precipitation in the previous six months. We hypothesize that dry conditions favor turtle captures due to contraction of aquatic habitat, serving to concentrate turtles in the study area.
Volume
103
First Page
41
Last Page
56
ISSN
2573-1947
Recommended Citation
Dolan, A., H. Waye, and P. Dolan. 2024. Long- and Short-Term Weather Variables Affect Capture Rates in Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys Picta Bellii) in Marshall Co., South Dakota. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science 103: 41-54
Primo Type
Article
Comments
Full text also available at publisher's website: https://southdakotaacademyofscience.wildapricot.org/page-18178