Demographic Comparisons between Reservoir-Dwelling and Stream-Dwelling Populations of a Threatened Turtle (Sternotherus depressus Tinkle and Webb)

Sternotherus depressus (Flattened Musk Turtle) is a federally threatened species endemic to the Black Warrior River drainage in north-central Alabama. Individuals of both stream-dwelling and impoundment-dwelling populations were trapped for comparative demographic analyses. Carapace length was signi...

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Published inSoutheastern naturalist (Steuben, Me.) Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. 684 - 691
Main Authors Melancon, Sherry R., Angus, Robert A., Marion, Ken R.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Humboldt Field Research Institute 01.12.2013
Eagle Hill Institute
Subjects
age structure
Conservation biology
drainage
Habitat conservation
Habitat fragmentation
habitats
Impoundment
indigenous species
rivers
Shorelines
Stream habitats
Streams
threatened species
Turtles
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife ecology
Alabama
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Summary:Sternotherus depressus (Flattened Musk Turtle) is a federally threatened species endemic to the Black Warrior River drainage in north-central Alabama. Individuals of both stream-dwelling and impoundment-dwelling populations were trapped for comparative demographic analyses. Carapace length was significantly longer for reservoir turtles than for stream turtles. Size-class distributions between the two populations were also significantly different, with reservoir turtle collections biased toward the larger size classes, and presumably older age classes. These results suggest a reduced recruitment in the reservoir population, and raise concerns about long-term population sustainability in impoundment habitats.
Bibliography:http://dx.doi.org/10.1656%2F058.012.0408
ISSN:1528-7092
1938-5412
DOI:10.1656/058.012.0408