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Abstract First records of 5 allochthonous species and subspecies of The aim of the research was to ( scripta troostii, caspica, Mauremys rivulata, investigate the presence of sinensis, horsfieldii) and new records of subspecies allochthonous species of turtles in the Trachemys scripta elegans in Latvia nature of Latvia, as well as to withdraw Mihails PUPINS & Aija PUPINA them from the nature according to the "Plan on protection of orbicularis in Latvia", officially approved by the Introduction, Hypotheses and appearance of allochthonous Latvian Ministry of Environment (Pupiņš Problems for Management species of turtles in the nature of & Pupiņa 2007a). The methods of the Latvia (Pupiņš & Pupiņa 2007b). research were: 1) information campaign Anthropogenic spreading and and survey; 2) interviews with invasion of allochthonous (Kabish Hypotheses of the research. inhabitants; 3) field expeditions; 4) 1990) species of is an issue The main hypothesis of the research laboratory study of viability of found of world importance for preserving that has been carried out since 2004 turtles. In course of research, five new natural biodiversity (Kraus 2009). is based on the assumption that allochthonous species and subspecies of Allochthonous species of there are also allochthonous turtles the turtles were recorded for the first reproduce in new habitats (Cadi et in the nature of Latvia besides time, and new data were obtained autochthonous turtles. The about finding Trachemys scripta elegans al. 2004; Heeswijk-Dihter et al. in the nature of Latvia. Most of the 2006; Perez-Santigosa et al. 2008) following assumptions have been registered (80%) were removed competing with ecologically close formulated as additional from the nature. Since allochthonous local species of reptile for biotopes, hypotheses: 1) allochthonous turtles turtles get there in the result of escape trophic base, places of sun-basking, are mainly represented by aquatic from pet-lovers and, apparently, illegal etc. (Cadi & Joly 2003, 2004). species in Latvia; 2) allochthonous introduction into nature by their turtles may appear in groups; 3) owners, education of population is of Historically, only two species some species of allochthonous great importance. of turtles are registered in Latvia: turtles may pass the winter in Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus 1758) Latvia. and Caretta caretta (Linnaeus 1758) (Siliņš & Lamsters 1934) caught in Problems for Management. Keywords 1829. Only Emys orbicularis Management of allochthonous permanently inhabits Latvian turtles in Latvia is necessary for Alien, reptiles, management, North territory, at the northern edge of its preservation of autochthonous Europe European area in Latvia (Meeske et biodiversity. The main aim of the al. 2006), all through its life cycle. management is to prevent This species is extremely rare and allochthonous turtles from preserved in Latvia (Ministru appearance in the nature of Latvia. kabinets 2000; Bērziņš 2003); it is This aim may be achieved by the sensitive to the influence of efficient removal of allochthonous negative factors of anthropogenic species from the nature and nature (Pupiņš & Pupiņa 2007b). preventing them from appearing in One of such factors may be the nature.

95 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2011.2.1.09 M. Pupins & A. Pupina. Allochthonous turtles in Latvia

Main problems of this orbicularis in Latvia by the method Resumen management are connected with of interrogating local population, El objetivo del estudio fue investigar la the peculiarities of biology and allochthonous turtles can also be presencia de especies alóctonas de ecology of allochthonous species of misidentified with Emys orbicularis tortugas en la naturaleza en Letonia, así turtles, presence of rare and (Pupiņš et al. 2010). The "Plan on como retirarlas de la naturaleza, según protected autochthonous species protection of Emys orbicularis in el "Plan de protección de Emys orbicula- Emys orbicularis, lack of knowledge Latvia", officially approved by the ris en Letonia", declarada oficialmente of the population in the field of Latvian Ministry of Environment por el Ministerio de Medio Ambiente de conservation of herpetofauna, with (Pupiņš & Pupiņa 2007a), Letonia (Pupiņš y Pupina 2007a). Los métodos de investigación fueron: 1) the peculiarities of legislation recommends to investigate the campaña de información y estudio; 2) relating to nature conservation in presence of allochthonous species entrevistas con los habitantes; 3) expe- Latvia. So allochthonous terrestrial of turtles in natural ecosystems of diciones de campo, y 4) un estudio de and especially semi-aquatic turtles Latvia, the eradication of its laboratorio sobre la viabilidad de las are difficult to spot and identify in population, as well as campaigns for tortugas encontradas. En el curso de la the nature due to their ways of life; raising awareness of local people. investigación fueron registradas por it is difficult to catch semi-aquatic primera vez cinco nuevas especies alóc- turtles; population may misidentify Since 2004, a research tonas y subespecies de las tortugas; los allochthonous turtles with oriented to receive and evaluate nuevos datos se obtuvieron en la autochthonous species Emys people encounters with búsqueda de Trachemys scripta elegans orbicularis; uneducated allochthonous turtles in Latvia has en la naturaleza. La mayoría de los ani- lovers may set free exotic turtles been carried out. Before this males registrados (80%) fueron retira- which are not necessary for them in program only occasional dos de la naturaleza. La educación de la the wild; at the same time there is information had been recorded. población se considera de gran impor- no special activity for the removal of Since 2007, a study of encountering tancia ya que las tortugas alóctonas allochthonous turtles from the allochthonous turtles in Latvia has llegan como resultado de la fuga de los nature in the Latvian nature become part of the officially amantes de las mascotas y por su intro- conservation legislation. confirmed "Plan on protection of ducción ilegal en la naturaleza. Emys orbicularis in Latvia" (Pupiņš & Trachemys scripta elegans Pupiņa 2007a), which is being Palabras clave (Wied-Neuwied 1839) was first currently conducted, and will be recorded in natural habitats of carried out on the permanent basis. Alóctona, reptiles, gestión, Norte de Latvia in 2006. The first group Europa consisted of 6 animals and was Study Area found near the town of Nitaure (Pupins 2007). Allochthonous turtles The research of the can compete with autochthonous allochthonous turtles was carried turtles for suitable biotopes (Arvy & out all over the territory of the Servan 1998; Cadi & Joly 2003, Republic of Latvia. Latvia is a 2004). Apart from competition with country in the Baltic region of Emys orbicularis, during the Northern Europe, placed between research into distribution of Emys Estonia and Lithuania. Geographic

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coordinates of Latvia is 57°00' N, 25° allochthonous turtles were realized "Environmental science", 00' E. The total area of the Republic with citizens. respectively (n=264), participants of of Latvia is 64,589 sq km, 62,249 sq the scientific biological conferences km of land and 2,340 sq km of The research consisted of the held in the University of Latvia and water. The total length of land following stages: in Daugavpils University (n=187), boundaries is 1,382 km. Latvia has visitors of the Latgale Zoo (n=26,500 common borders with such Stage 1. Information per year), professional biologists countries as Belarus, 171 km long, campaign and survey. Questioning (n=23), employees of Latvian zoos Estonia, 343 km long, Lithuania, 576 of local population was the primary (n=9) and pet shops (n=8). All km, and Russia, 292 km long. The research method. Questioning was respondents were requested to climate is maritime, temperate carried out in course of extensive share information about turtles, seasonal, and wet, with moderate information campaigns that were addressing their e-mails, SMS, and winters. The prevailing terrain is low conducted through the mass media telephone calls to the researchers plain; the lowest point is the Baltic (press, radio, television, and whose contact details were Sea 0 m, the highest point is the specially designed topic-related published in mass media, at any Gaizina Kalns, 312 m high (CIA page of the internet site), a time. 2011). Examination of the brochure published particularly for allochthonous turtles that had been this event (Līdaka et al. 2005), Stage 2. Interviews. On caught was carried out in the corresponding sections in a general receiving information about finding laboratories of the Latgale Zoo in interest publication (Pupiņš & a , a 7-10 minute interview Daugavpils, South-East Latvia. Pupiņa 2007b), and teaching was held with the respondent over material designed for students the telephone or in person; the aim Materials and Methods (Pupiņš et al. 2010). These sources of these interviews was to check if informed the population about the the information was valid, to clarify The main idea of the present existing problem, importance of the place and time where and when research and management of searching for autochthonous and the turtle was caught, and to get allochthonous turtles in Latvia is an allochthonous turtles in Latvia and accompanying information of active involvement of specially about the recommended actions in ecological nature. If the encounter educated population. In order to case of encounter with a turtle with a turtle had taken place cover the whole territory of Latvia, anywhere in the nature of Latvia or immediately before the and due to the small number of in case of hearing about such conversation, the interview included allochthonous turtles in Latvia and encounters. The total number of a request to catch the animal and difficulty searching for some water those questioned with the help of instructions on how to keep it until species of turtles, we have materials published in the mass the arrival of a researcher. purposefully prepared (work with media is unavailable and might be mass media) and used local equal to the circulation numbers of Stage 3. Field expeditions. population of Latvia for receiving these editions. Besides, target After the interview, an expedition information on turtles and capturing audiences were interviewed, among would go to the place where a turtle them. Herewith, almost all them students of the Daugavpils was caught. The turtle would be mentioned cases (except for 2) of University Bachelor and Masters withdrawn and the following encountering and capturing of Programmes, "Biology" and information gathered: conditions in

97 M. Pupins & A. Pupina. Allochthonous turtles in Latvia

which the turtle was caught, recorded for the first time, and new both males and females. coordinates of catching (in Results, data were obtained about finding coordinates are specified up to Trachemys scripta elegans in the Hibernation in nature. The minutes). The place of catching was nature of Latvia (Table 1). research has for the first time closely examined; the biotope in obtained information about a which the turtle had been caught FINDINGS OF TURTLES possible hibernation of Trachemys was described and photographed. scripta elegans in the nature of Additional interviews with other 1. Trachemys scripta (Thunberg Latvia; minimum in two cases, the locals were held. 1792; Schoepff 1792) (Testudines: found animals might have : Deirochelyinae). successfully spent winter. For Stage 4. Laboratory study. instance, Case # TrScEl0010 is a Laboratory study included 1.1. Trachemys scripta elegans. report about a group of Trachemys identification of the caught scripta elegans consisting of individual with the help of reference In addition to the 7 reports minimum 3 adult turtles, which had books (Terentyev & Chernov 1949; received earlier (Pupins 2007), 8 been observed for 2-3 years and Bannikov et al. 1977; Obst 1983) new ones (Figure 1) were received very likely to have spent winter and in consultation with specialists from different parts of Latvia, two of locally. A turtle (# TrScEl0011) that (C.Ayres, pers.com.); morphometric which were about the new groups had escaped from the person who measurement for approximate of Trachemys scripta elegans with kept it in September was caught in determination of the individual’s 2-3 individuals. The biotopes of April of the following year. stage of development (juvenile, these findings are ponds of natural subadultus, young adultus, adultus, and artificial origin, overgrown with Death in nature. For the first old adultus), and assessment of water plants (Figure 2), small rivers time in the nature of Latvia, a shell viability of the caught allochthonous and their banks. In all cases young of a dead turtle of the species turtles. In the present research, the adult and adult animals were found, Trachemys scripta elegans (# definition of D.C. Wareham: "Viable - capable of normal growth and development; capable of living, as in viable eggs" (Wareham 2005) was used as a basis. Viability was defined as sufficient if during the 2 weeks of being kept in the laboratory under standard conditions of zoo-culture the turtle remained mobile and actively fed.

Results

In course of the research, five new allochthonous species and Figure 1. Trachemys scripta elegans (# TrScEl0014) adult subspecies of the turtles were female that was registered in 2011.

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Species and Registration District/ region/place Year Coordinates Quantity Removing status subspecies # Trachemys

scripta T.s.elegans TrScEl0008 Sigulda, Kipari 2009 57°09'N; 24°53'E 1 dead/removed TrScEl0009 Ventspils novads, Vecventa, Zuras 2009 57°15'N; 21°36'E 1 removed TrScEl0010 Valmieras novads, Murmuiza 2009 57°28'N; 25°29'E 3 2 removed TrScEl0011 Ludzas novads, Zilupe 2008 56°23'N; 28°07'E 1 removed TrScEl0012 Ogres novads, Kaibala river 2010 56°42'N; 25°13'E 2 not removed TrScEl0013 Daugavpils city 2011 55°52'N; 26°30'E 1 removed TrScEl0014 Pavilostes novads, Vergale 2011 56°41'N; 21°10'E 1 removed TrScEl0015 Ventspils city 2011 57°23'N; 21°34'E 1 removed T.s.troostii TrScTr0001 Rigas novads, Marupe 2008 56°53'N; 24°04'E 1 removed Mauremys MaCa0001 Liepaja novads 2010 56°25'N; 21°15'E 1 removed caspica Mauremys MaRi0001 Riga 2010 56°55'N; 24°16'E 1 removed rivulata Pelodiscus PeSi0001* Rigas novads, Olaine 2008 56°46'N; 23°55'E 1 removed sinensis PeSi0002** Madonas novads, Racenu lake 2010 56°49'N; 26°13'E 1 not removed Testudo TeHo0001 Daugavpils novads, Medumi 1969 55°47'N; 26°21'E 1 removed horsfieldii TeHo0002 Ventspils 1960 57°21'N; 21°35'E 1 not removed TeHo0003 Daugavpils 1977 55°51'N; 26°29'E 1 removed TeHo0004 Jekabpils 2005 56°31'N; 25°52'E 1 removed TeHo0005 Daugavpils 2007 55°52'N; 26°34'E 1 removed TeHo0006 Madonas novads, Lubana 2008 56°53'N; 26°43'E 1 removed TeHo0007 Cesu novads, Vecpiebalga 2008 57°03'N; 25°48'E 1 removed TeHo0008 Jurmala 2009 56°58'N; 23°46'E 1 removed TeHo0009 Jelgava 2010 56°38'N; 23°42'E 1 removed Total: 25 20 removed animals (80 %)

Table 1. New findings of allochthonous species and subspecies of turtles in Latvia. *data concerning this finding were presented at the conference in University of Latvia in 2009 and published in the conference abstracts, ** this species was determined following the description of the respondent.

TrScEl0008) was found. Traces of In 2008, for the first time in 2. Mauremys caspica (Gray 1869). predator teeth or traumas inflicted Latvia, 1 sample of a young adultus (Testudines: : by transport were not observed on male (Figure 3) was found not far : : the shell. In 2009, (# TrScEl0010) from the city of Riga (Figure 3), in Geoemydinae). one turtle from registered group the outskirts of the settlement was killed by school children, Marupe. The settlement is One individual, adultus, a big another caught by the locals. surrounded by marshy meadows female was for the first time in grown with reed and bushes, cut Latvia caught in 2008 near the town 1.2. Trachemys scripta troostii with melioration canals filled with of Liepaja. (Holbrook 1836). water.

99 M. Pupins & A. Pupina. Allochthonous turtles in Latvia

Trionychoidea: ).

Two findings were recorded in the central part of Latvia; one animal (# PeSi0001) was identified as a male adultus (Figure 4) (Pupins et al. 2009). Pelodiscus sinensis was caught by a net while fishing in an anonymous artificial lake that had appeared when the melioration system canals got flooded near the place of their connection with the river Misa. The maximal length of the lake is 121 m, and the width is 64 m. The coast line is 361 m, the banks are poorly structured. The Figure 2. Trachemys scripta elegans (# TrScEl0010) sun-basked animal from maximal depth of the lake is 2-3 m, registered group in the nature of Latvia (Photo: Agita Knutova, 2011). the bottom is slimy. Such fish species as Carassius carassius, Tinca tinca, Esox lucius are found in the lake which is used for recreation and fishing.

In the second case (# PeSi0002), the respondent, a teacher of biology, watched a juvenile turtle in the lake Racenu, near the bank; according to the description (it was described as a swimming light-coloured turtle not more than 10 cm in length with a carapax devoid of individual scutes), Figure 3. The first Trachemys scripta troostii (# it possible have been a case of TrScTr0001) found in Latvia. Pelodiscus sinensis which we failed to acquire. The lake is 931 m long 3. Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes caught in November 2010 in the and 717 m wide; its coast line is 1833). (Testudines: Cryptodira: central part of the country, in the 3,716 m; the banks grown with Testudinoidea: Geoemydidae: forest road not far from a stream forest and bushes . Average depth is Geoemydinae). overgrown with bushes and grass. 4.6 m (Ezeri.lv 2011). The lake is rich

with fish and is used for recreation. For the first time in Latvia, 1 4. Pelodiscus sinensis (Wiegmann, individual, a male subadultus, was 1835) (Testudines: Cryptodira:

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5. Testudo horsfieldii (Gray 1844) (Testudines: Cryptodira: Testudinidae).

Nine individuals are recorded in Latvia, only single male and female subadultus, young adultus, and adultus. The earliest finding of Testudo horsfieldii (# TeHo0002), photographed by the respondent’s relative, dates back to 1960. The first Testudo horsfieldii in Latvia was caught by the author in 1969. Testudo horsfieldii were found in different biotopes in Latvia, for Figure 4. The first Pelodiscus sinensis (# PeSi0001) cought in Lat- via. example, in kitchen gardens, meadows around settlements, forest border, and river banks.

Hibernation in nature. There is no information about hibernation of this species. In one case (# TeHo0003), a Testudo horsfieldii was buried by the owner as dead at the depth of ~10 cm at the beginning of March and was then caught in May.

Damage to carapax. In case of two turtles, the horny layer of their carapax was damaged. One had characteristic traces of teeth of Figure 5. Testudo horsfieldii (# TeHo0006) with traces of teeth of a big predator (Figure 5), the other a predator on the carapax. had a grated shell, which might have been a result of running over by transport. spent winter in the nature of Latvia, conditions, the turtles remained were active and looked well-fed at mobile and actively consumed the Evaluation of viability of the the moment of being caught; they food corresponding to the needs of found turtles. Nearly all turtles that were trying to escape, did not have the species, viability of all caught were caught, with the exception of any visible signs of disease or vitally animals was evaluated as good. one individual of Trachemys scripta significant damages. As later when elegans (# TrScEl0011), that had they were kept in laboratory

101 M. Pupins & A. Pupina. Allochthonous turtles in Latvia

Discussion possible to assume that three north-European climate of Latvia, species (Testudo horsfieldii, and cold winters with quite common Reasons for getting in the nature. Mauremys caspica, Pelodiscus low, up to −30°С, in particular The reason for the allochthonous sinensis) could get into Latvia legally (LVGMA 2011), are main negative turtles to get into the nature of or illegally from the territory of the obstacles for survival, incubation of Latvia, as stated in the research, was former USSR which included areas eggs and successful hibernation of escape from their owners when the of natural habitats of these three allochthonous species of turtles. latter walked them over. Since species (Terentyev & Chernov groups of allochthonous turtles 1949); they could have been kept in Alongside with this, were also encountered in the nature captivity for years and get into minimum two cases were found of of Latvia, illegal introduction of nature only recently. Trachemys scripta elegans spending unwanted animals that had become winter in the nature of Latvia (# boring to their owners into the Consequences and prospects. TrScEl0010; # TrScEl0011). It is quite nature might be assumed. For While evaluating prospects of possible that Pelodiscus sinensis people in Latvia who love pets, a allochthonous turtles appearing in from northern populations (Russia), source of acquiring turtles is their Latvia, it is important to take into among the other species found out legal sail in zoo-shops both in Latvia account climate conditions of their in the present research in Latvia, are (DinoZoo Centre 2011) and other EU natural habitats, on the one hand, able to survive here both in the countries (Drews 2005; Kitowski & and a long lifetime of turtles and active warm part of the year Pachol 2009), as well as private legal general warming of climate in because they live in the north of and illegal trading business (SS.LV Northern Europe, on the other. We their natural habitat, in the Russian 2011). It is well known that in other do not have any data on true Far East (Bannikov et al. 1977), with countries restaurant visitors choose naturalizations or reproduction of the frostless period lasting 150-155 among living turtles, that is why registered allochthonous turtles in days (Knystautas & Sibnev 1987, restaurant owners might import Latvia, the possibilities of having cited in: Kirschey 2000), and during living Pelodiscus sinensis (Webb et invasive populations of these hibernation because they are al. 2008) and other species part of species seem be low because of capable of staying in water for up to which animals can consequently get relatively cold climate of Latvia. It 7 months during the winter time free. Illegal catching of turtles in seems that the recorded by the (Baker 2011). At the same time, in their natural habitats or in the research allochthonous species of the south-eastern part of Latvia, territories with developed turtles were casual individuals and Latgale, the average minimal technology of breeding turtles by groups coming from citizen release temperatures in January are −6-7°C, tourists, who then smuggle these and these turtles will not be able to and the average air temperature in animals in their home countries, is reproduce and spend winter in the July +17°C, with the duration of a also possible. Turtles are often nature of Latvia, because the frostless season for 150-160 days smuggled, even in pockets, because nearest to the country northern (Turlajs 2007). When evaluating the detectors cannot identify them borders of their natural habitats are ability of Pelodiscus sinensis for (Shepherd & Nijman 2008). Taking too far to the south of Latvia adaptation to the life in Latvia, it is into account a long lifetime of (Terentyev & Chernov 1949; worth taking into consideration its turtles and the fact that the found Bannikov et al. 1977; Gasc et al. relatively long lifetime (up to 25 animals were big adultus, it is 1997; Obst 1983). A relatively cold years) and short egg incubation

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period (30-50 days) (Knystautas, Possible co-invasion of metschnikovii (3.42%) were Sibnev 1987, cited in: Kirschey parasitic species. It appears discovered in the cloacal analysis in 2000), as well as the tendency of particularly important that 83% of Pelodiscus sinensis kept in climate in Latvia to become warmer allochthonous turtles caught in Taiwan (Channarong et al. 2001). In (LVGMA 2011). Latvia can be hosts of parasite 1999, China was forced to regulate species dangerous for export of Pelodiscus sinensis Interaction with local autochthonous turtles (Soccini & reproduced in specialised farms species. Pelodiscus sinensis and Ferri 2004). For instance, Cotylaspis because of mass contamination with Trachemys scripta elegans are parasinensis , Coeuritrema Salmonella sp. (Dharmananda invasive species in the places of oschmarini, Leurosoma moemsis, 2005). If infected with exotic anthropogenic settlements and Phyllodistomum sp. , parasites, allochthonous turtles can compete with autochthonous Cephalogonimus emydalis , introduce them into the populations species of turtles for habitats, Astiotrema reniferum, Astiotrema of north-European species of trophic bases and places of sun- oldneri, Neopolystoma palpebrae, herpetofauna. Possibly, appearance basking (Thirakhupt & Van Dijk and Spiroxys transversalata were on only one infectious individual in 1994; Cadi & Joly 2003; Welcomme discovered in Pelodiscus sinensis in the nature must be enough for this. & Vidthayanom 2003; Cadi & Joly the nature in Russia (Strelkov 1950, Some of parasites may be new for 2004; Tibor 2007). When they are cited in: Platt 2000; Sharpilo 1976, the herpetofauna in Latvia and kept together in laboratory, cited in: Kuzmin 2002). The turtles Northern Europe and potentially Trachemys scripta elegans attack that are bred in specialised farms in dangerous for autochthonous equally-sized Emys orbicularis, bite zoo-culture and then exported on a reptile species. Such parasites, new off the tails of the latter and do not large scale can also host parasites. to autochthonous herpetofauna, let them regenerate (Pupins, Pupina, Taiwan, for example, is the world may cause uncontrollable mass pers.observ.). This competition largest producer of Pelodiscus reduction of autochthonous might be potentially dangerous for sinensis; it produced 2,237,000 kg of populations of herpetofauna as was the autochthonous Emys orbicularis Pelodiscus sinensis in 1998 and the case with Batrachochytrium at the extreme north of their exported 3,308,000 kg of Pelodiscus dendrobatidis (Longcore, Pessier & European habitat in Latvia due to sinensis from 1996 to 1998 , as well Nichols 1999) (Voyles et al. 2010). the small size of their population as 500,000 kg of juvenile animals This danger might be particularly (Meeske et al. 2006) and very high and 95,000 eggs (Chen et al. 2002, urgent for autochthonous Emys demands for the optimality of cited in: Webb et al. 2008). orbicularis in north of their biotopes (illumination and Dharmananda (2005) reports that European area because of a small temperature of air and water) in the Taiwan produces 6,000,000 juvenile number of their northern north of their habitats. Pelodiscus Pelodiscus sinensis every year. In populations. sinensis is a typical predator species spite of the apparently highly and can potentially negatively developed zoo-culture technologies, Conclusions influence the local water fauna Vibrio fluvialis (26.04%), V. (Somma 2008); it is considered a anguillarum (21.23%), V. furnissii Prevention of illegal penetration of potentially invasive species in (18.49%), V. parahaemolyticus allochthonous species of turtles in Germany (Kirschey 2000). (18.49%), Vibrio spp. (6.85%), V. the nature of Latvia conforms both damsela (5.48%), and V. to the aims of preserving North-

103 M. Pupins & A. Pupina. Allochthonous turtles in Latvia

European species of herpetofauna and those of protecting turtles all over the world. Thus two of the species of allochthonous turtles found in Latvia are protected ones: Testudo horsfieldii and Pelodiscus sinensis are included in the list of protected animals of IUCN (only autochthonous populations) (IUCN 2011). In Latgales Zoo we have been implementing practical measures aimed at managing allochthonous turtles in Latvia since 2004. We are regularly educating population concerning this issue and searching for allochthonous turtles; an asylum for exotic turtles (Figure 6) was Figure 6. Group of Trachemys scripta elegans in an asylum for exotic turtles in established. This practical activity is Latgale Zoo. effective, as nearly all allochthonous turtles (80%) reported by the in the nature of Latvia. Since thank Valerijs Vahrusevs (Latvia) for population were extracted from allochthonous turtles get there in his cooperation in keeping nature. This is why these measures the result of escape from pet-lovers allochthonous turtles in zoo-culture of managing are recommended in and, apparently, illegal introduction of Latgale Zoo. We are grateful to all the officially approved Plans for into nature by their owners, the respondents whose protecting Emys orbicularis and education of population is of great observations and photos Bombina bombina in Latvia (Pupiņš importance. contributed to the article. & Pupiņa 2006; Pupiņš & Pupiņa 2007a); they are close to the Acknowledgements management of allochthonous turtles in other European countries Part of this information was (Ferri & Di Cerbo 1995; Ottonello et received according the LIFE+ Project al. 2005) and will be implemented in LIFE09NAT/LV/000239 Latvia on the permanent base. "Conservation of rare reptiles and amphibians in Latvia". We would Such legal measures as a like to thank the following scientists much stricter control of bringing in for their consultations and and legitimate selling of turtles, cooperation: Cesar Ayres (Spain), laying down responsibility for letting Viktor Bakharev (Belarus), Andris allochthonous turtles into the Ceirans (Latvia), Martins Kalnins nature might help preventing (Latvia), Maris Lielkalns (Latvia), and appearance of allochthonous turtles Wlodzimierz Wojtas (Poland). We

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Bio-sketch

Mihails Pupins is a herpetologist, researcher at Institute of Ecology of Daugavpils University , Emys Authors

Expert at LIFE-HerpetoLatvia project. He is received his Dr.biol degree in Ecology for PUPINS, Mihails (1,2) studies of Emys orbicularis in Latvia, when allochthonous turtles were registered for (Corresponding author] (1, 2) the first time in Latvia. He is currently interested in management of non-native [email protected] turtles. PUPINA, Aija (2) Aija Pupina is a zoologist of Latgale Zoo, Daugavpils, Bombina Expert at LIFE-HerpetoLatvia (1) Daugavpils University, project. She is received her Dr.biol degree in Ecology for studies of Bombina Vienibas str. 13. LV5401, Latvia bombina in Latvia, when allochthonous Perccottus glennii influence to Bombina bombina was registered for the first time in Latvia. She is currently interested in (2) Latgale Zoo, Vienibas str. 27. management of invasive fish Perccottus glennii. LV5401, Latvia

Both authors are co-authors and coordinators of officially approved Plans of conservation of Emys orbicularis and Bombina bombina in Latvia, in which management of allochthonous turtles and Perccottus glennii in Latvia is Copyrights 2011 owned by The recommended. Authors

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