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Program Daily Schedules 2010

8th An nual Symposium on the

Conservation and Biology of

Tortoises and Freshwater

Joint Annual Meeting of the Survival

Alliance and IUCN & Freshwater

Turtle Specialist Group

Program and Abstracts

August 16 — 19, 2010 Orlando,

Contents should be cited as:

Author. 2010. Title. In A. Walde, E.Walton and R. Schaffer (eds.) Program and Abstracts of the Eighth Annual Sumposium on the Conservation and Biology of and Frewhwater Turtles. Turtle Survival Alliance, Orlando, FL. pp. xx-xx .

8th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles | Orlando, Florida 1

Program Abstracts 2010

Captive Reproduction of Madagascar’s ( radiata ) at Two U.S. Facilities 1 2 COLETTE HAIRSTON ADAMS AND WILLIAM H. ZOVICKIAN 1Gladys Porter , Brownsville, , USA [[email protected]] 2Dacula, , USA

Considered by many to be the world’s most beautiful tortoise, the endangered Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata ) first landed in U.S. collections in numbers during the early 1960s. The first captive hatchings were born in 1973 at the compound of Dr. Bill Zovickian in Colorado Springs, Colorado and at the Gladys Porter Zoo (GPZ) in Brownsville, Texas. Subsequent to that time, both Zovickian and GPZ have produced hundreds of hatchlings. While acknowledging that successful reproduction has since been realized within many other private collections and zoological institutions, this presentation takes a look at the concentrated efforts of these two entities, including the trial and error that has determined many of the husbandry practices utilized today. Techniques proven successful for A. radiata have implications for other of Madagascan chelonians in which successful incubation has been found to be much more problematic. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral

Desert Tortoise Population Estimates on 29,000 km 2 – Taming and Tuning a Long-Term Distance Sampling Program LINDA J. ALLISON Recovery Office, US and Wildlife Service, 1340 Financial Blvd, Ste. 234, Reno, NV 89502, USA [[email protected]]

The monitoring program for desert tortoises in the Mojave and Colorado deserts began in 2001. For conservation and recovery purposes, the range of the desert tortoise in these deserts is subdivided into 6 recovery units. The monitoring program was developed to describe population trends over 25 years in each recovery unit within areas managed for desert tortoises. Tortoise conservation areas currently encompass 29,305 km 2, which challenges the project to conduct unbiased sampling across large areas of highly variable terrain. In addition, the scale of the project requires an extensive training and QA/QC program to establish consistency across field crews (50 people in 2009). The program currently reports annual density estimates, rather than interim trend estimates. Density estimates depend on precise estimates of detection probability (as a function of distance from the transect line), encounter rate (tortoises/km walked), and proportion of tortoises detectable above-ground or in burrows (G 0). Because desert tortoises in this area are sparsely distributed and cryptic, density estimates are ultimately limited by the ability to detect sufficient tortoises to build robust detection curves. The program has therefore continuously adjusted the sampling protocol to optimize tortoise detections. Primary adjustments have increased the distance walked each day from 3.2km (searched intensively) to 12km (searched more cursorily). The decrease in search intensity has slightly reduced the detection probability, but detections have increased even more with transect length. The 211 adult desert tortoises detected in 2009 were used to build separate detection curves for 2 areas of the desert with different sample effort. Although the program is designed to develop density estimates and trends in separate recovery units, the focus on increasing overall tortoises detections has also allowed density estimation within smaller tortoise conservation areas, where densities 2 vary from 1.4 – 10.8 tortoises/km . Estimation of G 0 uses 10 sites where transmittered tortoises are monitored to estimate visibility during periods when transects are walked. G 0 estimates have ranged from 0.52 – 0.98. Encounter rate and G 0 estimation contribute similar proportions to the variance of the density estimate, so over the period of this project, G 0 has also been a focus of improved estimation. Survey Methods for Terrestrial Turtles/Tortoises: Oral

Sex Determination in Chinese : with Emphasis on M. nigricans Conservation 1 2 BEN ANDERS , DON MOLL , AND PAUL VANDER SCHOUW 1Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA [[email protected]] 2Department of Biology, State University, Springfield, MO, USA

Patterns of sex determination are important knowledge for the ex-situ conservation of . We are investigating the pattern(s) in three Chinese turtles – Mauremys (Chinemys ) nigricans , the dubious M. (C.) megalocephala , and M. (Ocadia ) sinensis . Even though other species of Mauremys have demonstrated temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) Ia (male offspring produced at lower temps, females at higher temps), threshold temperatures (the temperature break for production of male vs. female offspring) may differ for the species in this study. It is important to produce hatchlings of equal sex ratio to preserve genetic diversity in assurance colonies, and without an understanding for threshold temperature(s), this may not be feasible in artificially-incubated species with TSD. The three study species, particularly M. nigricans , are strong candidates for ex-situ conservation initiatives that should be explored considering these turtles’ precarious future. Chelonians of East : Oral (Student) 8th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles | Orlando, Florida 2

Program Abstracts 2010

Status of the Central American River Turtle (Dermatemys mawii ) in the Maya Forest of Guatemala: 2007 – 2010 Surveys** RONY ALBERTO GARCÍA ANLEU , ROAN BALAS MCNAB , ELEAZAR GONZÁLEZ , GABRIELA PONCE SANTIZO , JOSÉ FERNANDO MOREIRA AND MARCIAL CÓRDOVA Wildlife Conservation Society-Guatemala Program. Avenida 15 de Marzo, Casa No. 3, Flores, Petén, GUATEMALA [[email protected]]

The Selva Maya is the second largest contiguous block of tropical rainforest in the American Continent, second only to the Amazon Jungle. The Selva Maya extends along South East Mexico, the Department of Petén in Guatemala and Belize. This is an important region for the conservation of the CA River Turtle, a highly , mainly due to its exploitation by local people who use it as a gastronomical delicacy in the region. Although it was very abundant in the past, its distribution is becoming more and more restricted due to and human , and its status in Guatemala was unclear until 2006. In 2007, we started to use Trammel Nets and standardized statistical methodology (Mark-recapture models) to determine the abundance of Dermatemys mawii in different lagoons and rivers in the Lowland Maya Forest in Guatemala. El Peru Lagoon has the highest estimated Dermatemys density in the lowland Maya Forest, with a estimated population of 202 turtles (SE 13.79, approximate 95% confidence interval 179-232 turtles) in only one section of the lagoon that we surveyed (the other part was not accessible because it was divided by a big sand bank). The population estimation allowed us to understand the importance of the lagoon in view of the significant population declines in the broader tri- national Maya Forest, especially in downstream sections of Mexico. In November 2009, we deployed eight VHF transmitters in four adult females and four adult males in El Perú Lagoon. We are tracking them since then, and confirmed our hypothesis of El Perú Lagoon as important dry season refuge and breeding site. We know now that during the low-water dry seasons, lagoons such as El Peru function as nesting and feeding refuges. If other lagoons close to San Pedro River are similar to the El Peru Lagoon, they probably also function as sources of CA River Turtle replenishment to San Pedro River watershed. Tracking these VHF tagged turtles allowed us to find a lot of nesting sites in the lagoon shore, and we found many predated by mammals (raccoons and opossums suspected). Central American River Turtles: Oral (Student) ** Supported by a Grant from the Turtle Conservation Fund

Community Ecology of Creek-Dwelling Freshwater Turtles at Nokuse Plantation, Florida BENJAMIN K. ATKINSON Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110430, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA [email: [email protected]]

I surveyed the freshwater turtle communities of four creeks at the Nokuse Plantation (Walton Co., FL) from June-August of 2008. Nokuse Plantation is a 21,000-hectare private conservation tract in the Florida panhandle that serves as a wildlife corridor connecting to The Nature Conservancy land bordering the lower Choctawhatchee River. My sampling effort represents a total of 320 trap-nights and was conducted using baited hoop nets, modified traps, and hand-capture in Dismal, Big Cypress, Black, and Seven Runs creeks. I identified turtles to species, recorded demographic and morphometric data, and marked all specimens for recapture. I measured water quality parameters using a Hydrolab Quanta monitoring system and non-target trapped organisms were also identified and counted. Two generalized community types were discernable from analysis of water quality and trapping data. Dismal and Big Cypress creeks are slow-moving floodplain swamp-fed blackwater creeks with relatively high levels of detritus accumulation and corresponding high levels of primary productivity, as measured by total phosphorus and chlorophyll content. They are also characterized by relatively low oxygen concentrations in the water column. Dismal and Big Cypress creeks share high total species richness and evenness. Dismal Creek has more canopy cover and less basking sites than Big Cypress Creek. Black and Seven Runs creeks are more upland communities than Dismal and Big Cypress creeks, with lower primary productivity levels, higher flow, and higher water column oxygen content. Black Creek is a blackwater stream with heavy canopy cover, moderate current, a sand- bottom, and is fed in part by seepage. Seven Runs Creek is a sand-bottomed seepage stream fed by numerous steepheads. It has moderate canopy cover, the lowest levels of primary productivity, the greatest flow, and the highest oxygen content in the water column. Omnivorous turtle species richness differed by creek. Turtle diets also differed between creeks, with greater diversity of food items being consumed in creeks with higher primary productivity. Primary productivity was positively correlated with relative abundance and diversity of turtles, and total species richness of the creek communities. Community Ecology of Turtles: Oral (Student)

Endangered Freshwater Turtle Conservation Efforts in Northeast : Achievements and Challenges** CHITTARANJAN BARUAH 1 , SHAILENDRA SINGH 2, 3 AND D.K. SHARMA 1

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Program Abstracts 2010

1Turtle Conservation & Research Program (TCRP) & Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Gauhati University, – 781 014, , INDIA [[email protected]] 2Center for , Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, INDIA 3Turtle Survival Alliance, India Program, INDIA [[email protected]]

At the conjunction of the Himalayan and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspots, the northeast India is regarded as one of the major turtle priority conservation area. Turtles of 23 species are recorded from northeast India. Out of 23 species 5-6 species are either or endangered. The endangered turtle conservation has been initiated in the state of Assam with determining their diversity and abundance, nesting surveys and egg protection, through education, awareness and participation of different sections of community in the above efforts. In addition, we recently launched the habitat improvement and ex-situ habitat development for few threatened taxa including ( nigricans ).Conservation education, awareness and community participation programme was major tool to initiate the above programs in a number of wetlands and in the riverine islands (chars) of the system . This study evaluated the habitat patterns, and current threats facing by Black softshell turtle, N.nigricans, along with sylhetensis and Narrow headed softshell turtle indica in the Brahmaputra basin in Assam with an initiating effort for the conservation of the turtle fauna of this region. The local communities around the turtle habitats are being interviewed for presence and absence and threats to the turtle population while a series of group discussions were held to motivate the community as well as to record their opinion for formulating and implementing conservation strategies for the regional chelonians. Attempt has been made to critically review the conservation actions taken so far and to assess their impact on the target species notably the soft shell taxon of the river Brahmaputra. The communication describes some of the challenges in chelonian conservation in northeast India and emphasized the participatory turtle conservation initiatives with further research on alternative means of livelihood of riparian communities. Softshell Turtles: Oral (Student) ** Supported by a Grant from the Turtle Conservation Fund

Conservation Research Training on Turtles and Tortoises: An Asian Scholar's Experience in the USA

CHITTARANJAN BARUAH Turtle Conservation & Research Program (TCRP) & Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Zoology Gauhati University, Guwahati – 781 014, Assam, INDIA [[email protected]] and 2010 Asian Scholar (ASPin-situCC.org), Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor, New Jersey 08247 USA

After two years of working with the Turtle Conservation and Research Program (TCRP) in northeast India, while simultaneously working for a PhD on phylogeny of freshwater turtles, I realized the need for more practical and fieldwork oriented experiences. The Asian Scholarship Program for in-situ Chelonian Conservation (ASPin-situCC => ASP) offers professional training primarily based at the Wetlands Institute (WI), Stone Harbor, New Jersey. The ASP has so far trained 18 international chelonian conservationists of Asia, and provides a wide range of practical field tasks strongly associated with chelonian conservation. My ASP experience at different venues around the USA includes the Georgia Centre, the Northeast Turtle Conservation Program, the Coastal Conservation and Research Program (WI), and the Chelonian Research Institute. The ASP introduced me to several advanced research techniques and conservation issues. I am thankful for being selected to join the ASP 2010. This kind of program is crucial in which young conservationists are trained and motivated to lead in chelonian survival, and I will take these experiences home with me to share with others in my community. Poster Session (Student)

Nesting Ecology of the ( mutica ) in 1, 2 1 † AMITY A. BASS , JOHN L. CARR , AND MICHAEL A. EWERT 1Department of Biology and Museum of Natural History, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana 71209- 0520, USA [[email protected]] 2Present Address: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and , P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70898, USA †deceased; formerly: Department of Biology, University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405. USA

The Smooth Softshell ( Apalone mutica ) is restricted to river habitats in the eastern and central , including all major rivers in Louisiana. A study of nesting ecology of this species has been conducted intermittently since 1973 based on information obtained from nests found on sandbars. Nests were collected from two rivers in Louisiana (Red and Ouachita) and the Sabine River on the Texas-Louisiana border. Clutch, egg, and habitat parameters were recorded. All data from 1973 to present were initially pooled for analysis, thus obscuring any temporal patterns. In a comparison of clutch size by river, the

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Program Abstracts 2010

Ouachita River had the largest mean clutch size ( = 13.1 eggs) and the Sabine River had the smallest ( = 5.7 eggs). Although Sabine River clutches were smaller, the eggs were nearly 40% larger than those of the nearest river drainage, the Red River ( egg mass = 9.23 g vs. 6.69 g, respectively). Egg mass was significantly different among all three rivers (p < 0.001). Average canopy cover of nest sites for the three river systems was 34.2, 21.1, and 0.8% for the Ouachita, Red and Sabine Rivers, respectively. The distance from the nest to the water differed for the three rivers, with average distance to water of 9.6 m for both the Red and Ouachita Rivers, but it was 27.3 m for the Sabine River. This species leaves a very elongate disturbance in the sand where it has nested. Average dimensions of the nest site disturbance were 41 by 130 cm for the Ouachita River, 35 by 154 cm for the Red River, and 37 by 234 cm for the Sabine River. Sand particle size also differed among the three rivers, with the Sabine River having the largest average sand grain size. Of the three river systems, the Sabine River is the most distinctive in terms of clutch size, egg size, and nest site characteristics. Softshell Turtles: Oral

Long-term Population Dynamics of Gopher Tortoises ( polyphemus ) in a Pine Plantation in Northern Florida 1 1 1, 2 JOAN E. DIEMER BERISH , RICHARD A. KILTIE , AND TRAVIS M. THOMAS 1Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1105 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, Florida 32601 USA 2Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, PO Box 110430, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA [[email protected]]

A study was conducted to gather information on long-term (Gopherus polyphemus) population dynamics, burrow distribution, and habitat use in a pine plantation in northern Florida. Previous mark-recapture surveys were conducted on the Plum Creek/Lochloosa study site during the 1980s, and a single-year survey was undertaken in 1992. The ~66 ha study area is a mosaic of moderately well-drained and poorly-drained soils, and has had a history of clearcuts and replantings since tortoises were first captured in 1981-82. Gopher tortoise burrows were located during April-May 2009, and tortoises were captured in pitfall or wire traps during May-July. Fifty-two tortoises were captured on the study site, and four additional tortoises were captured in an adjacent pine plantation across a paved rural road. Seventeen tortoises (33%) had been previously marked, including a male that had been initially marked as a mature adult in 1982. Most marked individuals were in the same approximate location as during earlier surveys, despite the silvicultural-related habitat changes over time. Only 8% of all previously marked tortoises ( n = 211) were captured in 2009. Recapture rates by size and sex were 4% for formerly immature tortoises, 10% for adult males, and 21% for adult females. Drill marks held up relatively well in adult tortoises, but were difficult to discern in some individuals marked as juveniles. Mean size and sex class distribution of gopher tortoises captured in 2009 was different ( P = 0.018) from that observed during 1981-1987 and 1992, primarily due to the lower proportion of juveniles captured in 2009. This follow-up survey indicated that viable gopher tortoise populations can be maintained long-term on sites undergoing intensive silviculture, and further substantiated tortoise use of windrow berms, ecotones, and better drained soils. However, tree thinning and prescribed burning are needed to maintain suitable habitat conditions for gopher tortoises. Poster Session (Student)

Chinese Chelonians – An Overview on One of the Major Turtle Hotspots in the World with a Special Note on Distribution and Vulnerability Patterns TORSTEN BLANCK 8530 Deutschlandsberg, AUSTRIA, [[email protected]]

China ranks among the most chelonian species rich countries on our planet, with at least 28 species (excluding the 5 species of sea turtles) of chelonian species, in 11 genera (according to some authors even 15 genera) and 4 families inhabiting this country. While many of these species have already been described in the 19th century, the distribution patterns of most of these species are weakly researched, understood and known. Most recent publications still refer to Iverson's Checklist from 1992 on the distribution of these species, which at that time mainly included museum material and historic literature data. While many museum specimens bear labels stating some kind of locality data, most of these specimens seem to have been derived from the trade, many already in the 19th century. This is complicated also by the fact, that Chinese have been trading turtles for many centuries, both native and non-native species. All this makes the understanding of complex distributional patterns of several species even more difficult and usually claims much larger distribution areas than actually inhabited by most species and leads to wrong estimations on the vulnerability of some species and complicated protection efforts. By the help of data collected in the last decade in the Chinese field, compared to almost all available stock of museum specimens and literature data, the distribution pattern of Chinas extant chelonians is reconstructed and an estimate of the current status of the species is provided. Out of the 28 autochthonous Chinese chelonian species, 18 species are presented in

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Program Abstracts 2010 this talk (the remaining 10 species belong to Cuora and are discussed in a separate presentation) with notes on their , distribution and vulnerability. Chelonians of East Asia : Oral

The Genus Cuora (Gray, 1855) – Taxonomy, Distribution and Vulnerability of the Most Critically Endangered Asian Turtle Genus TORSTEN BLANCK 8530 Deutschlandsberg, AUSTRIA [[email protected]]

The genus Cuora currently contains 8 to 15 species, depending on different phylogenetic and morphologic theories. According to the authors view, 12 extant Cuora species exist: Cuora amboinensis, Cuora aurocapitata, Cuora cyclornata, Cuora flavomarginata, Cuora galbinifrons, Cuora mccordi, Cuora mouhotii, Cuora pani, Cuora picturata, Cuora trifasciata, Cuora yunnanensis, Cuora zhoui . Out of these, 10 occur in , 5 of them being endemic to this country. The TCM turtle trade in China and the massive impact on their usually specialized habitat with a rather slow reproduction rate has pushed all these species more or less to the edge of with 10 of them being listed by the IUCN as critically endangered, 2 endangered and 1 species vulnerable. At least 5 of these species are commercially extinct, with less than 5 specimens found a year in the wild. One species, Cuora yunnanensis , which was considered extinct for nearly a century was rediscovered in this decade. While hybridization is usually a rare natural instance, this is the opposite in especially this genus, with a broad rate of hybridization occurring in the wild and in captivity, leading to taxonomic and phylogenetic complications. The distribution of almost all 13 species is still poorly understood, with two species not yet known from the wild, one species recently rediscovered and three species finally discovered in the wild during the last decade. In this talk, the taxonomy, distribution and vulnerability of this genus will be discussed. On the Brink, the Genus Cuora: Oral

Habitat Usage and Short-term Movements in the Twist-necked Turtle (Platemys platycephala Schneider 1792) During the Late Rainy Season in the Nouragues Reserve, French Guyana STEPHAN BÖHM Department for Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, AUSTRIA [[email protected]]

The twist-necked turtle ( Platemys platycephala ) is a member of the that has a widespread distribution all over the Amazonian rainforest. Even though the turtle is known to science for a long time, detailed ecological studies on life history are rare. The aim of this diploma thesis project was to determine which microhabitats were used by P. platycephala on a spatial and temporal scale in the primary rainforest of the Nouragues Reserve, French Guyana. To monitor movements, 4 Twist-necked turtles (3 males, one female) were followed using radio-telemetry during a period of 2 weeks in 2009 and 3 weeks in 2010. Turtles radio-tagged in 2009 were using the same areas again in 2010. To determine main activity time, turtles were tracked twice a day in 2010. During dry periods turtles moved less than during days with rainfall. The turtles were frequently encountered resting under logs or in the leaf litter. Habitats used were hilly forest areas, palm swamps and temporary puddles in the forest, which were frequented after or during heavy rainfall. Permanent waterbodies were rarely used. Aquatic habitats had a mean canopy cover of over 80%, pH between 6.0 and 6.5, temperatures between 25 and 27 °C and conductivity between 30 and 50 µS -1. Stomach flushings showed that eggs and larvae, worms (oligochaetes) and (coleopterans) were used as food items. Due to the elusive lifestyle of P. platycephala , sample size of tracked and stomach flushings was low. This and the surprisingly terrestrial behaviour and the small areas of activity indicate that the species has quite different habitat requirements than previously assumed, which suggests studies on long-term movements and further diet samples are needed. Furthermore, challenges while using GPS systems under dense forest conditions are discussed. Field Studies : Oral (Student)

Keeping and Breeding the Indian Roof Turtle (Pangshura tecta tecta , Gray, 1831) SEBASTIAN BRAUN 71701 Schwieberdingen, GERMANY [[email protected]]

Keeping and breeding of Pangshura tecta tecta is described. The author´s own observations of 2.3 animals over a distance of six years are presented. Since four years the breeding group reproduces resulting in more than 30 hatchlings. Special attention

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Program Abstracts 2010 is given to the breeding success due to a seasonal rhythm and nutrition. The experience in incubation and raising the hatchlings will be presented. Captive Husbandry: Oral

My First Breeding Success with the ( crassicollis , Gray, 1831) SEBASTIAN BRAUN 71701 Schwieberdingen, GERMANY [[email protected]]

Keeping and breeding of Siebenrockiella crassicollis is described. After a rather long time of six years and plenty of infertile eggs, the first breeding success occurred in 2009 resulting in three healthy hatchlings. The author presents the problems in keeping and acclimating wild caught animals and the first steps to breed this species in captivity. Captive Husbandry: Oral

Keeping and Breeding the Flower-back (Cuora galbinifrons galbinifrons , Bourret, 1941) SEBASTIAN BRAUN 71701 Schwieberdingen, GERMANY [[email protected]]

The keeping and breeding techniques for Cuora galbinifrons galbinifrons are described. A group of 4.5 specimens is maintained since 2005. Since 2006 a total of eight hatchlings have been produced. The main problems with this species seem to be the handling and feeding of the stress prone animals. The experience in incubation and raising of the hatchlings will be presented. On the Brink, the Genus Cuora: Oral

Headstarting Turtles – Learning from Experience RUSSELL L. BURKE Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead NY 11549, USA [[email protected]]

Head-starting, which I define as the release of captive-raised hatchlings for conservation purposes, is a controversial topic in turtle conservation that has received little serious academic examination. I distinguish head-starting from translocation generally, which can also include releases of wild-caught adults, and focuses on movement of animals from one location to another. Head-starting is less controversial in other taxa, and has a long history of success in augmenting populations for wildlife and conservation purposes. It is more difficult to measure the success rates of turtle head-starting efforts than many other taxa because turtles have delayed maturity, are usually difficult to mark permanently, are inconspicuous as subadults, and typically experience high subadult mortality under natural conditions. Also, population models usually indicate that turtle conservation efforts are more effectively focused on adult survivorship. Very likely only a small percentage of turtle head- starting programs are evaluated, and even fewer are reported in the literature, so a robust analysis of their success rates would be impossible. Nevertheless, turtle head-starting programs are popular with the public and are common in many countries. I propose a series of goals for turtle head-starting programs, and urge higher reporting rates of both successes and failures. Chelonian Conservation: Oral

Florida’s Conservation Plan for the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus ) DEBORAH BURR AND BILL TURNER Habitat and Species Conservation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-1600 USA [[email protected]]

In September 2007, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan and reclassified the gopher tortoise from Species of Special Concern to Threatened. This Plan serves as the blueprint for gopher tortoise conservation in Florida and a model for managing gopher tortoises throughout their range. The Plan’s overall conservation goal is restoring and maintaining viable gopher tortoise populations in Florida. Its four conservation objectives are managing tortoise habitat, preserving tortoise habitat, restocking tortoises, and minimizing tortoise mortality during land development. Each objective provides benchmarks and measurements for assessing progress towards the Plan’s conservation goal. These objectives are accomplished by an extensive series of conservation actions outlined in the Plan. These conservation actions fall under the following categories: regulations, permitting, local government coordination, monitoring and research, law enforcement, habitat preservation and management, education and outreach,

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Program Abstracts 2010 landowner incentives, disease management, and population management. In the two years since implementing the Plan, significant progress has been made across all categories. Accomplishments include developing and implementing a new permitting framework to decrease tortoise mortality during land development by relocating all gopher tortoises to protected, managed areas. Prescribed fire and habitat management activities have also been conducted on more than 40,000 acres of gopher tortoise habitat on public and private lands. In addition to a newly designed website (MyFWC.com/GopherTortoise), several publications have been completed and distributed to increase public awareness of gopher tortoise conservation. Research projects on Upper Respiratory Tract Disease, long-term population dynamics and Panhandle gopher tortoise genetics have been completed and published ahead of schedule. Additional research on the compatibility of gopher tortoise relocation and cattle is underway to improve the success of gopher tortoise relocation where cattle occur. Coordination with governmental agencies in Florida and throughout the tortoise’s range has resulted in implementation of gopher tortoise conservation activities on lands owned by local governments and state agencies, and on military installations in Florida. Overall, significant progress has been made in the first two years implementing Florida’s conservation plan. Florida Turtles: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities: Oral

Living on the Edge: Diamondback (Malaclemys ) in Florida 1 2 JOSEPH A. BUTLER AND GEORGE L. HEINRICH 1Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224 USA, [[email protected]] 2Heinrich Ecological Services, 1213 Alhambra Way S., St. Petersburg, Florida, 33705-4620 USA

The ( Malaclemys terrapin ) is the only entirely estuarine turtle species and is found from Cape Cod (Massachusetts) to southern Texas. Although terrapins occur in 16 states along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the coastline of Florida represents approximately 20% of their entire range. Five of the seven recognized occur in the state’s extensive salt marsh and mangrove habitats, and three of these subspecies are endemic. Therefore, Florida terrapin populations and habitats are critical to the conservation of the entire species. Despite the importance of Florida to diamondback terrapin biology, little is known concerning this species over long stretches of Florida coastline. Significant threats to this species in Florida include loss of nesting habitat, predation of nests and adults, and incidental drowning in crab pots. Research in Florida waters has shown that the use of bycatch reductions devices (BRDs) on crab pots can reduce terrapin mortality by 73.2%. Regulatory change requiring BRDs on commercial and recreational crab pots used in Florida waters would be the greatest immediate conservation action that could be implemented by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. We have studied this species in Florida since 1995 and will present an overview of the threats, conservation actions needed, and knowledge gaps requiring future research. Graduate students and researchers are encouraged to consider initiating field studies that will ultimately benefit this imperiled species. Florida Turtles: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities: Oral

Long-term Monitoring and Impacts of Human Harvest on the Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata ) 1 2 3 3 CHRISTINA M. CASTELLANO , J. SEAN DOODY , RIANA RAKOTONDRAINY , WILLIAM RONTO , 3 4 5 TANTELY MAHAMASINA , JULIO DUCHENE , AND ZIGZAG RANDRIA 1Threatened Species Unit, Healesville Sanctuary- Victoria, Badger Creek Road, Healesville, Victoria 3777, AUSTRALIA [[email protected]] 2School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, AUSTRALIA 3Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Antananarivo, P.O Box 906, Antananarivo 101, MADAGASCAR 4University of Tulear, 601 Tulear, MADAGASCAR 5Forestier Betioky-sud, CP612, MADAGASCAR

The Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata ) is naturally restricted to the spiny forest along Madagascar’s southern coastline. It is listed as Critically Endangered due to local consumption, collection for the illegal pet trade, and habitat loss. Surveys were conducted to determine the current status of tortoise populations for comparison with surveys conducted at the same locations more than 10 years earlier. Students from the universities at Tulear and Antananarivo participated in these surveys and were provided with a practical new skill set and a better appreciation for both the biology of the tortoises and their role in this endangered ecosystem. Moreover, interviews were conducted to determine if the collection of A. radiata had increased as a result of the recent political instability. Radiated Tortoises occurred at high densities at the Cap Sainte Marie Special Reserve, Lavanono, Nisoa-Ambony and Lavavolo. However, very few individuals were observed within the sacred forest of Ankirikirika; this was coincident with our discovery of a nearby tortoise poaching camp containing the remains of 600 tortoises. Tortoise densities have increased at both protected locations, the Cap Sainte Marie Special Reserve and Nisoa- Ambony, and decreased at Ankirikirika and Lavavolo, when compared to previous years. Tortoise density at Lavanono was similar to earlier reports. Based on interviews conducted within six local communities, increases in the illegal harvest were

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Program Abstracts 2010 mostly associated with: 1) the consumption of tortoise meat as a delicacy for special occasions, especially Christmas; 2) poverty, motivating people to collect tortoises for money, or to trade for rice; 3) ongoing drought which has led to years of crop failure and starvation; and, 4) development in the region that has attracted outsiders from tribes that do not respect the taboo, or fady, which protects this species from harm. Community conservation programs should target villages that drive tortoise collection, including Beloha, Tsiombe, Androka, Fotadrevo, Ft. Dauphin, and Tulear. Moreover, tortoise surveys should be conducted at nearby locations where tortoises have declined in to identify remaining populations and establish additional protected areas. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral

Line Transect Distance Sampling of a Low-density Gopher Tortoise Population in South-Central Florida TRACI D. CASTELLON AND BETSIE B. ROTHERMEL Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862, USA [[email protected]]

We surveyed gopher tortoises at Avon Park Air Force Range, in south-central Florida, using Line Transect Distance Sampling (LTDS) and scoping of burrows to determine occupancy. Because there are several potentially viable analytical methods for estimating tortoise densities using LTDS, we collected field data in a way that was consistent with various methods, allowing us to generate alternative estimates that could be judged based on their assumptions, statistical precision, and levels of effort required in the field. Methods included (1) use of LTDS (Program DISTANCE) to estimate tortoise densities using data from occupied burrows only, (2) a combination of LTDS and occupancy modeling (Programs DISTANCE and PRESENCE) to estimate burrow densities, then assign occupancy rates, and (3) density estimation using the previous two techniques applied to datasets that included observations by a single observer searching for burrows along the centerline of the transect, versus larger datasets that included burrows detected by additional observers searching on either side of the centerline. Estimates generated by the different methods varied considerably, principally due to differences in how burrows with unknown occupancy (those that could not be scoped effectively due to tortuous architecture or high water table) were treated in the analyses. The first method (LTDS using data from occupied burrows only) produced small sample sizes with correspondingly high coefficients of variation (CVs), and likely underestimated tortoise densities. Searching for burrows adjacent to the line increased sample sizes, but may have violated the implicit model assumption that burrow detection is influenced principally by distance from the line. The combined method, using LTDS and occupancy estimation, produced more reliable CVs, but estimates differed considerably depending on how the burrows with unknown occupancy were treated in the calculations. We discuss advantages and limitations of the various approaches, and challenges associated with obtaining robust estimates of tortoise densities given low population densities and a high proportion of burrows with unknown occupancy. Our results are relevant to the development of cost-effective and statistically robust methods for estimating tortoise densities over large study areas. Survey Methods for Terrestrial Turtles/Tortoises: Oral

Natural Hybridization of Freshwater Turtles in : A Matter of Unusual Incidences? TIEN -HSI CHEN General Education Center, Ching Kuo Institute of Management and Health, Keelung 203, TAIWAN [[email protected]]

Hybridization of geoemydid turtles has been frequently reported from East Asia among closely related species in the wild and in captivity. In recent surveys of the aquatic freshwater turtles in Taiwan, at least 10 putative turtles have been found in the wild or in markets. Most cases are presumed to be interspecific hybrids of Mauremys species. Their morphological characteristics are intermediate suggesting that they are hybrids among closely related species; however high variation in morphology indicates that they might be derived from multiple hybridization introgressions. In a case from northern Taiwan, a hybrid female is confirmed to be viable and fertile, and can lay more clutches of eggs than its related parental species (Mauremys reevessii and M. sinensis ) in its outdoor enclosure. The hybrid offspring are also fertile and can mature and reproduce earlier than their parental species. The findings of this high reproductive potential in hybrid turtles raises concern that the hybridization event may be not so unusual as regarded and the intentional breeding practice in the pet market may facilitate the genetic pollution among related species. Chelonians of East Asia : Oral

Population Status and Natural History of the Endangered Box Turtles ( Cuora flavomarginata, Gray, 1863) in Taiwan TIEN -HSI CHEN General Education Center, Ching Kuo Institute of Management and Health, Keelung 203, TAIWAN [[email protected]] 8th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles | Orlando, Florida 9

Program Abstracts 2010

Because of burgeoning demand in the food and pet markets, accompanied with extensive habitat loss, Cuora flavomarginata has been regarded as endangered in through its range. This turtle is a highly terrestrial species, inhabiting forested and adjacent habitats in low-elevation areas. In Taiwan, the distribution of C. flavomarginata is restricted to low- elevation forested hills. Some relatively large populations still can be found in less disturbed habitats. In the wild population, it may take 11-15 years to reach maturity. Females may lay one to two clutches of 1-3 eggs between May and July. Cuora flavomarginata shows high fidelity in its home range, especial in females. Gravid females usually stay near the border of evergreen forests during the nesting season of April to July, and then move back into the forests interior. Males tend to remain in the densely vegetated areas of evergreen forest throughout the year. Males have larger home range sizes than females. Activity of C. flavomarginata reduces dramatically after October. Females usually maintain higher shell surface temperature during the nesting season. Most individuals select areas with dense vegetation as overwintering/hibernation sites, where they bury themselves under leaf litter or fallen logs, or use abandoned burrows of other animals as retreats. On the Brink, the Genus Cuora: Oral

A Sixteen Year Breeding Project with the Egyptian Tortoise ( kleinmanni ) JOHN COAKLEY [[email protected]]

The Egyptian tortoise is a critically endangered species according to the IUCN. Reports of of this species are rare and usually document very few hatchlings. The intent of this project was to determine husbandry and captive breeding parameters for this tortoise. Husbandry and breeding methods including diet, lighting, substrates, and pens are described for a 16 year project that has produced over 270 hatchling tortoises. Numerous F-2 tortoises have been produced. Thirteen of the original eighteen wild caught T. kleinmanni are still alive. Most remarkably, all 5 of the original wild caught males still survive. Tortoises have been maintained and bred indoors in both Connecticut for 11 years and Florida for 5 years. Eggs have been produced in every month of the year, but a definite seasonality exists in egg-laying. This seasonality varied slightly between Connecticut and Florida. However, February is the most prolific month with 101 of the 561 (18%) eggs laid in February. Captive Husbandry : Oral

Ecology of the (Vijayachelys silvatica) in the Rainforests of the Southern , India

V. DEEPAK AND KARTHIKEYAN VASUDEVAN Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani Dehradun, Uttarakhand, INDIA [[email protected], [email protected]]

Understanding ecology of a species is a pre-requisite for developing species conservation programs. Vijayachelys silvatica are small (170 mm carapace length), elusive terrestrial turtle, restricted to the low and middle elevation evergreen forests of Western Ghats. Home range, movement patterns, thermal ecology and the diet of the species were studied from May 2006 to July 2009. The 42 ha intensive study area overlaps into two protected areas: the Anamalai and the Paramikulam Tiger Reserve in the southern Western Ghats. Sixty five individuals were captured and marked during the study period (2006-2009) in the study area, of which, six were fitted with radio transmitters weighing 5 gm each and tracked. Automated temperature loggers were mounted on a wooden stake on the ground and placed less than 50 mm from the radio tagged turtle. The loggers were moved close to the turtles every time they moved. Home ranges were estimated using minimum convex polygon (MCP) and Local convex hull (LCH) methods. Activity of V. silvatica in relation to daily environmental temperature range, mean temperature, rainfall and individuals were investigated using Generalized Linear Models. A Binomial model was used to identify factors that influence daily activity pattern. A Gaussian model was used to identify factors that influence daily distance moved. The density of cane turtles in the study area was 0.6 individuals ha -1. Home range of four individuals varied between 3.5 - 14.2 ha using MCP, and 0.8 - 5.2 ha using LCH methods. They had extensive overlaps in their home ranges (MCP: 15.4-92.1%, LCH: 0-64.5%). Whether the turtles were active or not was positively influenced by temperature range, mean temperature and individual specific behaviour. Distance moved by turtles in a day was influenced by mean temperature, range of temperature and behavioural differences among individuals. In the low elevation rainforests, cane turtles are found in high densities and utilize the habitat in a coarse-grained manner. The activity of the species is strongly governed by forest floor temperature and rainfall. Increase in temperature or seasonality in these forests in the Western Ghats has serious implications for the survival of the species. Field Studies: Oral (Student)

Home Range, Microhabitat Association and Diet of the ( travancoria ) in the Anamalai Hills, Southern Western Ghats, India

V. DEEPAK AND KARTHIKEYAN VASUDEVAN 8th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles | Orlando, Florida 10

Program Abstracts 2010

Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani Dehradun, Uttarakhand, INDIA [[email protected] , [email protected] ]

The Travancore tortoise, Indotestudo travancorica is endemic species to the Western Ghats, very little is known about the ecology of this species. Extensive visual encounter surveys yielded poor evidence of the species, resulting in high costs in the study. Radio-telemetry is often touted as an appropriate method for studies of secretive species. Five individuals (2 males & 3 females) were fitted with radio transmitters weighing 25-27 g were tracked everyday. Home range, microhabitat association, and diet of the species were studied from February 2006 to May 2010. The intensive study area covers 110 ha in a protected area in the southern Western Ghats. Home ranges were estimated using minimum convex polygon (MCP) method. Microhabitats used by the tortoises were recorded every time the animal was detected. Diet of the species was studied by direct ad libitum observations and by analysis of fecal matter. MCP home ranges of four individuals varied between 5.2- 34.7 ha. The four individuals had a minimum of 15% and a maximum of 99.8% overlap in their MCP home ranges. The radio tracked tortoises were mostly located in Lantana dominated scrub near stream (39%) followed by evergreen forests (25%) and bamboo forest (24%) and in the edge habitat (12%; n = 1541 tracking days). They were often (44%) located buried in leaf litter, 16% inside termite hill or pangolin burrows, 14% in lantana bushes, 7 % inside bamboo thickets, 6% inside rock burrows, 4% under grass or fallen logs or inside tree holes and 2 % without cover (n = 1497 tracking days). Faeces collected from twenty four tortoises contained at least one identifiable diet item. Ninety two percent had grass/bamboo blades, 92% other plant matter (leaves and stems), 83% remains, 63% sand, 42% seeds ( Grewia tilaefolia and Dillenia pentagyna ), 38% remains (identified as skink scale, mammal hair and vertebral bone) and 13% mollusc, scorpion and crab remains. During the direct observations the tortoises were observed feeding herbaceous plants ( Mimosa pudica and Synedrella nodiflora ), carcasses (sambar deer and rat), fruits (Grewia tilaefolia, Lantana camara, Dillenia pentagyna) and shoots of Bambusa arundinaceae . Poster Session (Student)

The SOKAKE Project: Conservation of Astrochelys radiata BERNARD DEVAUX SOPTOM – Turtle Village, P.O Box 24, 83590 Gonfaron, FRANCE [[email protected]]

Astrochelys radiata in southern Madagascar is without a doubt one of the world’s most sought after, poached, and trafficked tortoises. Its populations have been in steep decline for the past 30 years and its status is becoming more and more critical. Our organisation SOPTOM has created a Tortoise Village in Mangily-Ifaty near Tuléar to protect this species (as well as, the other local tortoise arachnoides ). This center is open to the public and aims to provide information and raise awareness among the Madagascan people, as well as, tourists in order to protect these creatures. It also acts as a 'rescue center' for tortoises seized by National Parks, customs, and the police. We work in close collaboration with the Madagascan Authorities and we rely on the support of a local association called the Association de Sauvegarde de l’Environnement (Environmental Safeguard Association). The Turtle Survival Alliance is also one of our partners. A 'SOKAKE project' was launched 12 years ago that aimed to raise awareness among Madagascans, convert collectors into craftsmen, change people's attitudes, and help with the region's economical development. An important part of this project involves releasing the Ifaty tortoises into their natural habitats, which the National Parks and Madagascan people are keen to see put into practice. A suitable site was found about 150km south of Tuléar at Lake Tsimanampetsotsa. The project began in spring 2010 with two students setting up camp to carry out an inventory of the flora and fauna. Fifty tortoises were then placed in quarantine in Ifaty. It is hoped they will be released in May 2011. These tortoises will be radio-tracked for two years. These experimental releases, the first of their kind for this species in Madagascar, should enable us to measure the success of reintroductions more accurately. There are several obstacles, but the symbolic nature of this reintroduction is very powerful and justifies our work in this region. We are also continuing to take action to halt the decline of this magnificent Madagascan creature. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral

Disturbance Effects and Florida Box Turtles: Challenges in the Conservation of a “Common” Species C. KENNETH DODD , JR. Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611 USA [[email protected]]

Terrapene carolina bauri is a sedentary with relatively low fecundity and high adult survivorship, delayed sexual maturity, low nest and hatchling survival, and long life span. From 1991-2006, I studied a population of T. c. bauri on Egmont Key in west-central Florida. The island was affected by tropical storms (1995-1996, 2004) and a large-scale attempt to remove nonindigenous vegetation. In order to assess the effects of habitat changes, I estimated survivorship, recruitment, capture probabilities, population and individual growth rates, and abundance. Demographic characteristics did not vary

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Program Abstracts 2010 between sexes, life stages (adult vs juvenile) or pre vs post disturbance. Dispersal rates varied among areas, with pre- disturbance dispersal rates greater than post-disturbance rates. After the disturbances, the onset of male sexual maturity decreased by ca 1 yr (from 10.8 to 9.5 years), female maturity was delayed by 2.5 years (from 8.5 to 11.0 years), and the subadult life stage was extended from 2 to 3.5 years. Habitat disturbances affected individual growth rates, which in turn affected tertiary sex ratios. Abundance actually increased from 1991-2002 despite the disturbances and only a small decrease occurred between 2002-2006. Life history traits influence whether turtle populations recover from habitat disturbances and how long recovery will take. Stage-based models may help explain why certain turtle populations recover slowly following catastrophic disturbance, even when adult survivorship is high. As long as catastrophic mortality did not occur, some habitat was unaffected, and resources were available, the demography of T. c. bauri on Egmont Key remained relatively unchanged despite the disturbances. Longevity allows box turtles the prospect of riding out stochastic disturbance events. If the aforementioned conditions are not met, long-lived likely recover only very slowly if at all. Thus, longevity has both advantages and disadvantages in disturbance-prone environments. The Egmont Key study was terminated in 2006 by refusal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to issue further research permits. Research is threatened on public lands by local autonomy that is not answerable for management and other decisions affecting potentially imperiled species. Keeping common species common should be more than a slogan in the 21 st Century. Florida Turtles: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities: Oral

Investigation on the Current Status of the Golden-Headed Box Turtle ( Cuora aurocapitata )** ZHANG FANG AND WU XIAO -BING College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, CHINA [[email protected]]

The golden-headed box turtle (Cuora aurocapitata ) is a critically endangered species and endemic to Anhui Province in China. The species was described by Luo Bi-Tao and Zong Yu in 1988. A special survey on the zoogeography and distribution of the golden-headed box turtle was carried out from 2001 to 2004. The results show that this species inhabits the headstream and branches of the upper reaches of the Qingyijiang (30 0-30 052 / N), that is the Qingxi stream in Hongxing village of Yi county and mountain streams in Guba, Caicun, and Gufeng of Jing county. The integrated results show that the current total distribution area of the species is less than 120 sq km and the wild population is numbering less than 400 specimens. The species inhabits mountain streams with clear water (PH: 8.0 ～8.5), in hilly regions, and is also found among grass and shrubs not far from the water. Furthermore they can be found in rock caves. The sandy substrate of the oviposition sites is medium grain and the thickness is ~20cm. Our results show that the Guba River in Sheng village and the Dingxi River from Dongyuan to Aiming are still most suitable habitats. At present, the massive destruction of habitats and the illegal trade are the major factors inducing the species population, pushing it to the verge of extinction. On the Brink, the Genus Cuora: Oral ** Supported by a Grant from the Turtle Conservation Fund

High Mortality Rates of Eastern Box Turtle Population in : as an Emerging Problem for Terrestrial Turtle Conservation? SCOTT FARNSWORTH AND RICHARD SEIGEL Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, USA [[email protected]]

High adult survivorship in turtles is critical to maintaining viable populations so any sharp decrease in survivorship is therefore a concern for turtle conservation. While conducting a three year telemetry study on the effects of translocation on Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina ) in conjunction with a large highway construction project, 23 out of 97 turtles died from between April 2008 and May 2010. Most of the turtles found dead could not be attributed to human related causes or to predation. All but one of these mortalities occurred during the activity season, with most occurring in the months of June through August. Some turtles were located less than one week prior to being found dead and had showed no outward signs of disease. Although most turtle mortalities that we found were not able to have any kind of necropsy or pathological work up performed, we were able to send two turtles to the USGS Wildlife Health Laboratory for analysis in 2009. Both of these individuals tested positive for Ranavirus . One of these turtles had been found alive with signs of disease and had been taken to a person that rehabilitates sick turtles, where the turtle was put on a treatment of antibiotics. The turtle did not respond to the treatment and subsequently died and was then sent for necropsy. Although all unexplained mortalities cannot be definitively ascribed to Ranavirus , having both of the turtles which had necropsies test positive for Ranavirus is cause for concern and suggests that Ranavirus may be at least a partial cause of the low survivorship rates that we are finding. To get a better understanding of the prevalence of this disease in this population, during the 2010 activity season we are conducting disease surveillance in addition to our telemetry study. Results from the disease surveillance work will be reported here.

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Program Abstracts 2010

Although the long-term impact of Ranavirus on this population of box turtles is unknown, this increase in mortality is of great concern for box turtle conservation. Chelonian Health and Disease : Oral (Student)

Inducing Oviposition in Softshell Turtles MARK FELDMAN AND ELIZABETH FELDMAN PO Box 185, Kerikeri, NEW ZEALAND [[email protected]]

Last year we reported our results using a combination of oxytocin and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF) to induce egg laying in red-eared sliders ( scripta elegans ). We did our research at the Concordia Turtle Farm in Wildsville, Louisiana where we had access to thousands of animals that were relatively easy to follow-up. We experienced a 85% success rate using a dose of 7.5 mg/kg oxytocin plus 1.5 mg of PGF given as a mix. Injections were administered subcutaneously into the ‘empty space” located just dorsal and lateral to the base of the tail. We found this was far simpler and safer than other injection sites and just as effective. For our purposes, success was defined as laying all the eggs within 18 hours after one injection. With oxytocin alone, in the environment of the turtle farm, our success rate was only 32%. Adding PGF to the oxytocin increased the success rate to 85%, eliminated the problem of false nesting, and promptly stimulated the ovulation of the next clutch.We experienced similar success rates with painted turtles ( Chrysemys picta ), Ouachita maps ( ouachitensis ), and razor back musk turtles ( carinatus ) though numbers were much smaller. However, we had only a 60% success rate with 20 softshell turtles. This year we have returned to the Concordia Turtle Farm and are focusing on developing an effective regimen to induce the three species of softshell on the farm ( Apalone mutica, ferox and spinifera ). Because it is impossible to palpate eggs in these species we are using x-ray to determine the number of eggs each female is carrying. We have already found that a mix of 10.0 units/kg oxytocin and 0.5-1.5 mg/kg PGF is the most effective; yielding a success rate of 70%. Over the next month we will add one of the following to the oxytocin/PGF mix: either propranolol (a beta adrenergic blocker), methoxamine (an alpha-1 adrenergic agent) or ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic. Based on the available knowledge of the physiology of reproduction in turtles, we suspect one of these agents will enhance the effect of the oxytocin/PGF mix. Poster Session

Hell on the Hill; a Hot Summer at the Concordia Turtle Farm MARK FELDMAN AND ELIZABETH FELDMAN PO Box 185, Kerikeri, New Zealand [[email protected]]

We have now spent three summers at the Concordia Turtle Farm in Wildsville, Louisiana which is owned by the Evans family. They have been amazingly supportive of our research and have opened the farm to us. Over the years we have gotten to know the family and the complexities involved in managing a big business. We have paid special attention to the husbandry techniques that Concordia uses on a grand scale to achieve production of over 1.2 million hatchlings a year. Two years ago, at the meeting in Tucson, we did a presentation called “Heat and Dust” about our experience during our first season at Concordia. At the time, all we had was a still camera so our “movies” were hopelessly primitive and we were still unaware of much of the farming activities. This year we are armed with a real camcorder and a much more intimate knowledge of the farm’s operation. We will present videos and still pictures featuring egg collection methods, the processing of the eggs to reduce / Campylobacter/Arizona contamination, the incubation techniques, egg sorting methods, hatchling management, shipping procedures, and the operation of the head start program where 60,000 four inch turtles are produced per year. Video Night

The Asháninka Traditional Knowledge and the Conservation of Amazon Freshwater Turtles in Central Peru BRUNO FERRONATO , GISELLE CRUZADO , FREDDY MOLINA, RENATO ESPINOSA AND VÍCTOR MORALES Universidade Ricardo Palma, Facultad de Ciências Biológicas, Ap. Postal 18-01, Av. Benavides 5440, Las Gardenias, Surco, Lima, PERU [[email protected]]

Amazon freshwater turtles have been historically exploited and part of the indigenous and riverine people diet along the . Due to the proximity of indigenous territories to small cities and the contact with citizens in the central region of Peru, many indigenous communities had changed their traditional habits, had their territory deforested and their wild animals has become scarce, including freshwater turtles. In the course of a turtle conservation project in Asháninkas indigenous communities in Pichis River Valley, Pasco State, in Central Peru, we evaluated the traditional knowledge of elder

8th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles | Orlando, Florida 13

Program Abstracts 2010 people using the focal group technique in order to understand why freshwater turtles ( unifilis , geoffroanus and raniceps ) have diminished in their communities, and tales, facts and legends they knew that could help in conserving the turtles. The indigenous people believe that the indiscriminate trade of turtles during the 80´s, the growth of human population in the valley, habitat alteration and use of dynamite had contributed for the current low densities of turtles in their communities, specially the taricaya (Podocnemis unifilis ). The information they told us that could help in conserving turtles: they believe in cochas encantadas (enchanted lagoons) in which they are afraid of fishing or swimming and such lagoons are inhabited by turtles; they believe if young people eat turtles or their eggs they become slow and tired for their regular activities; they believe that turtles with an even number of marginal scutes bring bad luck and they do not collect them, this could favour turtles of family; the consumption of turtles in the past was occasional and for special events. We used the elder people information during our children and young environmental education activities through talks and printed materials. We believe that the rescue and dissemination of Asháninka traditional knowledge to the new indigenous generations, in association with some measures such as nesting beaches protection, reproductive management, rational consumption and environmental awareness, could help in reducing the pressure on turtles and could allow the reestablishment of Podocnemis unifilis , a . Chelonian Conservation: Oral

Chelonian Shell Repair GREGORY J. FLEMING Disney’s Animal Kingdom, P.O. Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 32830-1000, USA [[email protected]]

In the Florida thousands of wild turtles and tortoises are hit by cars every year with most of these animals being killed outright. However many are left alive and make it into the hands of wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians alike. Many chelonians live for over 50 years and therefore death of adult animals have great impact on reproductive rates and population numbers in these chelonians. Management of shell repair in captive and wild chelonians is not complicated; however it may be a prolonged process. With a few pieces of veterinary equipment, bandage materials, antibiotics, analgesics and a few months of rehabilitation, any veterinarian can successfully repair shell fractures in chelonians. Even though these techniques have been developed for wild chelonians, these same techniques can be utilized successfully for injuries in captive chelonians. Chelonian Health and Disease : Oral

Captive Management and Reproduction of the Zulia Toad-Headed Turtle CARL J. FRANKLIN Amphibian and Diversity Research Center, The University of Texas at Arlington. 501 S. Nedderman, Arlington, Texas 76019 USA [[email protected]]

Since its description in 1984, many aspects pertaining to the natural history of the Zulia toad-headed turtle have been represented by a paucity of information. Various investigators have been able to glean bits and pieces regarding its ecology and natural history. However, until recently very little information existed in regards to its captive husbandry or captive reproduction. Now listed as a threatened species under the 2009 IUCN red list this captive population has not only provided insight regarding captive husbandry but also molecular material for a greater understanding of the evolutionary history of this interesting endemic chelid from . Captive Husbandry: Oral

An Ecological Approach to Maintaining Tortoises in Northern New Jersey GREGORY A. GEORGE 131 Current Drive, Newton, New Jersey 07860, USA [[email protected]]

Maintaining tortoises outdoors throughout the year in the North Eastern US has always been considered challenging. In 2004, a denuded horse paddock began its transformation into becoming a self- sustaining meadow for a colony of Mediterranean tortoises which include the , Testudo marginata , the , Testudo graeca sp. and the Hermann’s tortoise, Testudo hermanni sp. To achieve an ecologically balanced habitat whereby tortoises could be sustained through all four seasons required erosion control and soil enhancement along with a systematic plan for meadow reclamation which was initiated by the seeding and cultivation of native and non- native species of edible plants. A variety of tortoise containment barriers and predator control techniques have been explored with varying results. Cold frames and artificial hides were constructed to aid with the thermoregulation of the tortoises through solar gain. The creation of a desirable nesting

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Program Abstracts 2010 area through soil enhancement within each enclosure was used to promote localized egg deposition as well as address issues with egg collection. The construction of hibernacula within each enclosure ensured that appropriate temperatures and humidity were maintained during the winter. In conclusion, through the creation of an ecologically balanced tortoise enclosure, these animals can thrive and reproduce outdoors year round with minimal support. Captive Husbandry: Oral

Status of Gulf Drainage Graptemys of Alabama JAMES GODWIN Alabama Natural Heritage Program, Environmental Institute, Auburn University, AL 36849 USA

Alabama has a quite diverse freshwater turtle fauna with 22 species that may be regarded as falling into this category and of this total six are map turtles. Four of the map turtle species inhabit river systems with a direct connection to the Gulf of Mexico, these being Barbour’s map turtle ( Graptemys barbouri ), Escambia map turtle ( Graptemys ernsti ), black-knobbed sawback ( Graptemys nigrinoda ), and ( Graptemys pulchra ). Status surveys, based counts of basking turtles, were conducted over much of the range of each of the four species. The majority of survey sites were within the Mobile Basin and below the Fall Line while remaining sites were in the Conecuh/Escambia River and Choctawhatchee/Pea River systems. Poster Session

Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Population Health in a Changing Georgia Landscape: Preliminary Results 1, 2 1 2 JESSICA GONYNOR , LORA SMITH AND MICHAEL YABSLEY 1Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, Newton, GA, 39870 USA [[email protected]] 2Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 USA

Upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) in the gopher tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus ) is highly contagious and has been implicated in the reduction of populations throughout their range. Gopher tortoises are state listed as threatened in Georgia, USA where their populations are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. The prevalence of URTD in Georgia tortoise populations is poorly known. There are populations of gopher tortoises, including those at the Jones Center, that test positive for exposure to , one of the causative agents of URTD, but show no clinical signs. This has led researchers to speculate that clinical illness is triggered by other factors such as stress or co-infection with other pathogens. In order to manage a population effectively, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to the overall health of the population. Based on our preliminary data, our central hypothesis is that exposure to Mycoplasma will vary spatially among Georgia tortoises and land management practices that are conducive to gopher tortoises and overall condition of the habitat, will keep stress to the animals to a minimum and thus decrease risk of clinical disease. To test our hypothesis we will pursue two specific aims: 1) To determine the geographic distribution of Mycoplasma in free ranging tortoises in select populations in Georgia by using a combination of serologic and PCR testing. For PCR positive samples, sequence analysis will identify the species of Mycoplasma . 2) Investigate the population health of the tortoises at each of the chosen sites. We hypothesize that clinical disease will be rare at sites, even if seroprevalence is high and that clinical disease will be more frequent at human impacted sites. Poster Session (Student)

In Search of the Okinawa Leaf Turtle ( japonica ) ERIC GOODE AND A. ROSS KIESTER , 49 Bleecker St., Suite 601, New York, NY 10012, USA [[email protected]]

The Okinawa (black-breasted) leaf turtle ( Geoemyda japonica ) is restricted to a small area on the north end of the island of Okinawa. In 2009 the Turtle Conservancy travelled there to see this species in the wild to better understand its habitat, behavior, and color-pattern variation. Okinawa has several introduced turtle species and we also wished to learn if they are impacting G. japonica . Here we present a video of this trip and the results of our investigations. We found that the habitat and daily activity patterns of this turtle are very unusual and that this information gave insight into its captive husbandry. We also found that the color-pattern variation does not have any geographical structure and that, while the have not entered into the habitat of G. japonica , there is still cause for concern. Chelonians of East Asia : Oral

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Program Abstracts 2010

The Great Tortoise Transect ERIC GOODE AND A. ROSS KIESTER Turtle Conservancy, 49 Bleecker St., Suite 601, New York, NY 10012 [[email protected]]

From Windhoek, Namibia, to Cape Town, South Africa, is approximately 1,500 km (900 mi) due south. This transect goes through the ranges of 8 species of tortoise and through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. This Turtle Conservancy video introduces you to the transect as we travel south encountering tortoises, succulents, a host of other , as well as the landscape and its history. Video Night

The Behavioral Responses of Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene c. carolina ), Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata ), and Stinkpots ( ) to Roads and Vehicles on a Simulated Divided Highway 1 2 1 AARON C. GOOLEY , JAYME L. WALDRON , AND THOMAS K . PAULEY 1Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, West USA [[email protected]] 2Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

Road mortality has been identified as a major threat to many turtle species; however, response to passing vehicles, crossing speed, and general behavior while crossing roads has never been investigated in turtles. To investigate these factors, Midland Painted Turtles ( Chrysemys picta marginata ), Eastern Box Turtles ( Terrapene c. carolina ), and Stinkpots ( Sternotherus odoratus ) were collected and placed in a release box on the side of a closed road with an active road running parallel to it 26 m away. Turtles were released via a pulley-operated door facing the road, and their actions videotaped by an observer in a nearby blind. A vehicle was driven past crossing turtles on the closed road to simulate passing traffic in the adjoining lane. Resulting videos were used to determine the frequency of responses and length of stops due to passing vehicles, effective crossing speed, and other on-road behavior. Following trials, turtles were released at the original point of capture. Eastern Box Turtles stopped due to the stimulus of active road vehicles more than either Stinkpots or Midland Painted Turtles, and when stopped, they remained stationary for a greater time. All species reacted to a passing closed road vehicle by stopping on the road. Eastern Box Turtles averaged slower effective crossing speeds than Midland Painted Turtles or Stinkpots. These results indicate that Eastern Box Turtles are at greater risk of mortality when crossing divided highways than either Stinkpots or Midland Painted Turtles due to slower effective crossing speeds and a higher stop response rate to opposing lane vehicles. Poster Session (Student)

Reptiles as Long-lived Receptors for Ecological Risk Assessment in Aquatic Ecosystems of Southeastern U.S. ANDREW M. GROSSE , ROBERT V. HORAN III , DAVID E. SCOTT , TRACYE M. MURPHY AND TRACEY D. TUBERVILLE Savannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29802 USA [[email protected]]

Future management and remediation recommendations for contaminated aquatic ecosystems will depend in part on predicted risks to wildlife species from contaminant exposure and accumulation. The Savannah River Site (SRS), near Aiken, SC, is a 800-km 2 Department of Energy installation at which some localized areas contain elevated concentrations of radioactive and metal contaminants. Ecological risk assessment models have been developed for river otters and belted kingfishers to examine the potential effects of metal contaminants on wildlife associated with aquatic systems on the SRS. However, models for these relatively short-lived species (otters, 8-9 yrs; kingfisher, 15 yrs) may not adequately estimate the exposure risks for species at similar trophic levels but with much longer life spans. American alligators and several turtles species occur in aquatic systems of the SRS, have diets composed largely of vertebrate and/or , and have estimated longevities of up to 40-70 years. By virtue of their long life spans, physiology, and trophic status as top predators, alligators and turtles may accumulate significant body burdens of a variety of contaminants—these species may be good ecological receptors for assessing risks associated with long-term contaminant exposure. We sampled turtles—primarily yellow-bellied sliders ( Trachemys scripta )—and alligators ( Alligator mississippiensis) from a series of aquatic sampling sites that differed in their contaminant types, levels and spatial scales, including references sites not known to be contaminated. We permanently and uniquely marked all animals, took standard morphometric measurements, and measured gamma radiation. In addition, we collected whole blood, nail, and scute (alligators only) samples for metals analysis. We report preliminary results of body burdens of metals and radioactive contaminants observed during our first sampling season. Poster Session

The Genetic Structure of triunguis (the Nile Soft-shell Turtle) Populations in Turkey and Africa ÖZGÜR GÜCLÜ , CELAL ULGERAND OGUZ TURKOZAN Adnan Menderes University, Science & Art Faculty, Dept. of Biology, 09010 Aydin, TURKEY 8th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles | Orlando, Florida 16

Program Abstracts 2010

Turtles belonging to the family are dispersed in all continents except Antarctica and are currently represented in 14 genus and 30 species. The African soft shell turtle, Trionyx triunguis is found in Turkey, Syria, and Israel in the Middle East and from Mauritania and North Namibia to Egypt in African continent. They are spread all over the vast majority of Africa, except in the southern part of the continent. The aim of this study is to provide inventory data on the genetic structure of Trionyx triunguis with the samples provided from different localities in the Mediterranean and African continent. With this aim, we used mitochondrial DNA control region sequences (n=52) and nine microsatellite loci (n=102). We found 13 haplotypes with the primers that we designed for mtDNA control region and 3 polymorphic microsatellite markers in 9 microsatellite loci. Both mtDNA and microsatellite data showed genetic structuring between the eastern and western populations of Turkey and African continent. Poster Session

Breeding Biology of the Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata ) in the National Park of Tsimanampetsotsa and the Village des Tortues, Ifaty-Mangily, in Southwest Madagascar JUTTA M. HAMMER Department of Ecology, University of Hamburg, GERMANY [[email protected]]

Various population studies of Astrochelys radiata in the wild have been performed during the past few years. Captive breeding programs for this species have also been carried out. Nevertheless, detailed information on the breeding biology of this species is still lacking. The study presented here was conducted in order to contribute to the understanding of the reproductive biology of A. radiata by comparing data from a natural population with observations made on this species in a tortoise rescue center in Ifaty-Mangily where this species is held under semi-natural conditions. During the past two years a total of 40 female tortoises were surveyed in Ifaty-Mangily during the reproductive season and 25 females (19 females in 2009 and 16 in 2010; 10 females were radio-tagged during both seasons) were followed using radio-telemetry in the National Park of Tsimanampetsotsa. Nesting occurred mainly from February through to September (late October in 2009) at the tortoise rescue center and tortoises were found nesting from March to May (2009) in Tsimanampetsotsa. A total of 59 nests were observed in Ifaty-Mangily (with 40 nests in 2008 and 19 in 2009), which contained 187 eggs (2008: 134 eggs; 2009: 53 eggs). During the 2009 breeding season, seven nests were detected in the National Park that contained 18 eggs. Mean clutch sizes ranged from 2.6 eggs (Tsimanampetsotsa 2009) to 3.4 eggs (Ifaty-Mangily 2008). Tortoise nests were provided with a datalogger to record incubation temperatures. Hatchlings emerged from early December until late January both in the wild and in the semi-natural population. The duration of egg incubation ranged between 133 – 259 days (34 hatchlings in Ifaty 2008) and 210 – 292 days (12 hatchlings in Tsimanampetsotsa 2009). The hatchling rate was calculated at 66.7% in Tsimanampetsotsa while only 25.4% of the eggs in the tortoise rescue center produced hatchlings. Further surveys on hatchling development are being carried out in Ifaty-Mangily. Ecological conditions between the two observed populations differ strongly with tortoises being provided with food and water in Ifaty-Mangily on a regularly basis. At the same time adult tortoise size in Ifaty-Mangily was higher than in the National Park, thus resulting in bigger clutch sizes within the semi- natural population. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral (Student)

Boat Strikes: A Threat of Concern to the ( concinna suwanniensis ) 1 2 3 GEORGE L. HEINRICH , TIMOTHY J. WALSH AND BENJAMIN K. ATKINSON 1Heinrich Ecological Services, 1213 Alhambra Way S., St. Petersburg, Florida, 33705-4620 USA [[email protected]] 2Orlando Science Center, 777 East Princeton Street, Orlando, Florida, 32803 USA 3Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110430, Gainesville, Florida, 32611 USA

Boat strikes have been identified as a significant threat to turtles. Mortality can occur as a result of blunt-force trauma from boat impact or from injuries caused by propellers. Turtles that survive such insults may experience scars, loss of limbs, compromised fitness, and decreased survivorship. Marine turtles are strongly impacted by this anthropogenic concern and its effects on the diamondback terrapin ( Malaclemys terrapin ), an estuarine turtle, have also been well documented. Boat strikes are also a reported threat to freshwater species, including emydids, kinosternids and trionychids. In this paper, we present evidence of this threat to the Suwannee cooter ( Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis ), a listed, imperiled species that occurs in Florida river systems draining into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. We examined the remains of 164 P. c. suwanniensis in the Chelonian Research Institute collection for evidence of encounters with boats. Seventeen carapaces (10.4%) exhibited clear shell damage indicative of encounters with boat hulls and/or propellers. These specimens were collected from a rural dumpsite discovered near Cedar Key (Levy County, Florida) in 2004; the turtles had been taken for human consumption.

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Program Abstracts 2010

These salvaged turtles represented only individuals that survived initial boat injuries. One can assume that many turtles are killed upon impact or die later from injuries; our data suggest that boats strike more than 10% of the represented population. We also examined 177 Florida specimens of P. concinna in the Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH) collection for evidence of boat strikes. Five (2.8%) of those specimens had scars indicating encounters with boats; the earliest evidence was observed on an adult male collected at Rainbow Run (Marion County, Florida) in 1952. Specimens examined at FLMNH span over 75 years (1928-2003), whereas the Cedar Key cooters were recently harvested (late 1990s-2004). These data suggest that motorized watercraft is becoming a greater threat as more vessels utilize rivers. Our conservation recommendations include increasing the number and size of protected areas on rivers (closed to motorized watercraft), establishing reduced speed zones, encouraging the use of propeller guards, and developing effective education programs. Florida Turtles: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities: Oral

Updating the Biological Prioritization of Asian Countries for Turtle Conservation 1 2 3 4 1† BRIAN D. HORNE , RICK HUDSON , NOAH ANDERSON , BRYAN STUART , AND JOHN THORBANJARSON 1Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460 USA, [[email protected]] 2Turtle Survival Alliance, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76110 USA, 3Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Baraboo, 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo, WI 53913, USA, 4North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27601, USA, † Deceased

The 2003 seminal paper by Stuart and Thorbanjarson, Biological Prioritization of Asian Countries for Turtle Conservation, which ranked Asian countries by richness, and threat levels of their turtle fauna, has helped guide TSA and partners in prioritizing their field programs for the past seven years. Their findings ranked China, , and as the top four priority countries for immediate turtle conservation actions. Yet due to financial and political reasons as well as TSA partners already having a lead role in said country (e.g., Vietnam), TSA’s most successful regional programs have been in India and Myanmar. However in light of new data (e.g., new distribution records, re-evaluation of species’ red-list status, and changes in international trade practices) there is now a need for updating these rankings. This is increasingly important as TSA and partners expand their efforts throughout Asia. Herein, we will discuss how our increased knowledge base may lead to changes in TSA’s priorities for its range country programs. John T: A Passion for Reptiles, the Life of John T: Oral

Troubled Times for Madagascar’s Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata ) RICK HUDSON Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76110, USA [[email protected]]

One of Madagascar’s four endemic tortoises, the Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) occupies a narrow band of xeric spiny forest along the island’s southwest coast. Traditionally avoided by indigenous tribes, these tortoises are now routinely harvested for food especially from areas near large urban centers. Once numbering in the millions, this tortoise has now disappeared from vast tracts of its former range. As a result, the IUCN Red List has elevated the status of this species to Critically Endangered. Evidence of massive numbers of tortoises being collected for meat markets in remote areas is beginning to emerge, and the scale of this trade is far beyond sustainable. Unless current collection pressures can be reduced, functional extinction is predicted within 20 years. The factors contributing to the over-exploitation and decline of the Radiated Tortoise will be examined and the role of protected areas in providing safe havens will be discussed. Local village- based protection efforts – in support of protected areas staff, now vastly overwhelmed and under-resourced – may offer the best chance for saving remnant populations of Radiated Tortoises. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral

Natural History of the Spiny Softshell ( Apalone spinifera ) in the Sandhills JOHN B. IVERSON Department of Biology, Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana 47374 USA [[email protected]]

Spiny softshells (Apalone spinifera) were studied in and adjacent to Blue Creek in Garden Co., Nebraska from 1999 to 2010. Turtles (49 total) were captured by hand or fyke nets (112 total captures), and individually marked with PIT tags and unique drill scars. The smallest gravid female was 31 cm carapace length. Mean clutch size as determined by x-ray was 29.8 (range 16-42) for 48 clutches, and tended to increase with female size. Females were capable of producing two clutches each year (early to mid-June and late June to early July). Recaptures of field caught juveniles as well as hatchlings injected with PIT

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Program Abstracts 2010 tags revealed that annual growth in juveniles was about 25-30 mm CL and that females grew from about 40 mm CL at hatching to sexual maturity in 10-11 years. Reproductive comparisons with other North American softshells will be discussed. Softshell Turtles: Oral

Florida’s River Turtles: Diversity, Threats, and Conservation DALE R. JACKSON Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, 32303 USA [[email protected]]

Flowing water systems of the United States are now recognized as major centers of global freshwater biodiversity, comparable to tropical rainforests in their array of rare, endemic, and imperiled species. With more than 16,700 km of rivers and streams, Florida supports a significant proportion of that diversity. Among reptiles and , no group is more dependent upon Florida’s rivers than freshwater turtles. Conversely, the natural functioning of these critical ecosystems depends in part upon the maintenance of large, healthy populations of all native riverine animals, including turtles. Here I emphasize the herpetological importance of Florida’s rivers and streams, the factors that threaten this integral component of our herpetofauna, and some of the existing and potential solutions to their protection. More than one-third (seven) of Florida’s 20 non-marine species of turtles exclusively or principally inhabit rivers, with most of the rest (11 species) occasionally to frequently using rivers in addition to generally more lentic habitat. In Florida, riverine specialists live almost exclusively in the northern section of the state, especially the western half of the “Panhandle” (Escambia to Ochlockonee Rivers). Three species (two map turtles and one softshell) inhabit only one to three rivers each in western Florida. Only the ( Pseudemys concinna ) and ( Sternotherus minor) range south of the Suwannee River. Although the lower gradient rivers of the Peninsula support species that favor slow or still waters, these may serve as important source pools for repopulating ponds and lakes that dry during periods of severe drought. The potential ecological importance (especially trophic relationships) of riverine turtles is suggested by local population biomass estimates that can be derived from studies of representatives of three families: ( P. concinna ), ( S. minor ), and (alligator snapping turtle, temminckii ). Chief threats include degradation of water quality, consumptive harvest, and potentially impoundment. State regulations passed in 2009 will curtail legal harvest; preservation of floodplains is one key to ultimate protection. Florida Turtles: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities: Oral

A Preliminary Look at the Potential Impact of Poaching on Homes Hinge-back Tortoise, homeana , in Ghana S. BRENT JACKSON AND PHIL ALLMAN Department of Marine and Ecolgical Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL USA [[email protected]]

The Homes hinge-back tortoise, Kinixys homeana , is a rainforest-dwelling tortoise that lives throughout west-African rainforests. It is currently red listed by the IUCN, however there has been little research conducted on the species and there are no robust population estimates. Currently, these tortoises are believed to be in danger of decline from habitat loss, over- collection for the pet trade, and consumption for subsistence. During August 2009 we measured 39 K. homeana residing in an area where poaching occurs regularly. Based on established criteria for sexing related tortoise species (plastron concavity and tail size), 21 of these were females, 16 were males, and two were too small to accurately sex. Average size of those individuals identified as males was greater than for those identified as females. These data are of special interest because according to primary literature, Kinixys homeana females are typically larger than males as is characteristic of many testudines. Unusual selection pressures resulting from the heavy poaching being carried out in the area may be the cause for the demonstrated reversed size dimorphism observed. Poachers may be differentially selecting large adult females or there may be greater male recruitment in the population because of greater female philopatry. This could negatively impact the reproductive capacity of the species and, therefore, limit the ability to recover from harvesting pressures. Poster Session (Student)

A Survey of Aquatic Turtles of Eastern Oklahoma: A Cause for Concern? 1 1 2 3 ERIC JOHANSEN , STANLEY F. FOX , DAVID M. LESLIE , JR. , TIM PATTON 1Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma,US Stillwater, OK, 74078 USA 2U.S. Geology Survey, Oklahoma Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078 USA 3 Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078 USA [[email protected]] 8th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles | Orlando, Florida 19

Program Abstracts 2010

Worldwide declines of reptile populations, especially turtles, have been widely documented, and similar declines have been noted in Oklahoma. Aquatic turtles in their natural environment illustrate a classic type III survivorship curve and are slow to reach sexual maturity. This kind of survivorship curve compounded by collection of adults for food raises serious conservation concern for many species. Commercial collection of turtles and their shipment to Asia for food and medicinal purposes are major causes for population declines of turtles in the U.S. Currently, Oklahoma has a 3-yr moratorium on commercial turtle harvest. To assess effects of commercial harvesting activities on freshwater turtle populations in Oklahoma, in the first year of a 3-yr study we trapped 20 of 36 sites originally surveyed in 1997-99, when no moratorium on harvest was in place. We captured and marked 10 of the 14 species of freshwater turtles found in eastern Oklahoma. So far, numbers of turtles captured and numbers per unit effort at paired sites are significantly lower (at least in the northeast) now than in 1997-99. Species richness is also significantly lower presently, but species diversity is about the same. Community dominance by Trachemys scripta is less now than in 1997-99. Twenty-five Alligator Snapping Turtles ( Macrochelys temminckii ), a species of special concern in Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, were collected at 6 of the 20 sites surveyed. Surveys at the remaining 16 sites will take place in spring 2010. Community Ecology of Turtles: Oral (Student)

Population Structure of the Suwannee Cooter ( Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis ) in the Lower Santa Fe River 1 2 2 3 2 4 GERALD JOHNSTON , ERIC SUAREZ , ANTHONY LAU , MATTHEW KAIL , YURII KORNILEV , AND JOSEPH MITCHELL 1Department of Natural Sciences, Santa Fe College, Gainesville, FL 32606 USA, [[email protected]] 2Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA, 3Teaching Zoo, Santa Fe College, Gainesville, FL 32606 USA 4Mitchell Ecological Research Services, Gainesville, FL, USA

From 2006 to 2010, we conducted a mark-recapture study of the Suwannee Cooter ( Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis ) in the lower Santa Fe River in northern Florida. To facilitate assessment of the ecological status of this imperiled species (Florida Species of Special Concern), we evaluated population structure at five different sites within this spring-fed blackwater stream system. We hand-captured 559 turtles while snorkeling. This sample consisted of 29.9% (n=167) juveniles <180 mm plastron length (PL), 16.1% (n=90) subadult females (180-299 mm PL), 19.9% (n=111) adult females (>300 mm PL), and 34.2% (n=191) adult males (>180 mm PL), suggesting population stability and little effect of illegal harvest in our study area. Relative abundance of size/sex classes varied substantially among sites. In particular, juveniles (<180 mm PL) comprised a significantly higher proportion of the sample in spring habitats (0.39) than in riverine habitats (0.20). Our data illustrate the importance of sampling multiple sites (including a variety of spring habitats) as part of a long term monitoring strategy for this population. Poster Session

Demography of the ( Gopherus berlandieri ) Revisited: 12 Years of Monitoring in the Western Rio Grande Plains, Texas RICHARD KAZMAIER Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas, 79016, USA [[email protected]]

In 2000, I summarized the demography of a population of the state-threatened Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri ) based upon a 5 year dataset from Chaparral Wildlife Management Area in the Rio Grande Plains of southern Texas and concluded that the demography of this species is strikingly different from the other North American tortoises. After those conclusions, monitoring continued on this population and here I report a reanalysis based upon 12 years of data. From 1994-2005, I made 2,896 captures of 2,105 individuals. At each capture, I measured body size and counted annuli to estimate age. All annuli counts were made in a blind fashion. The 27% recapture rate allowed validation of the annuli technique and comparisons of actual versus expected annuli accumulation based upon recaptures revealed that 99% of aging was within 1 year of expected. Ages ranged from 0-20. Annuli counts became difficult once individuals reached ~18 years of age, but only 0.7% of the population achieved this age. Survival estimates based on log linear modeling of age structured data, capture-mark-recapture, and known fate analysis of radiotelemetry data had remarkable concordance and suggested that annual survival of females (73-79%) was lower than that of males (79-83%). Mean clutch size was 2 (range 1-4) based upon clutch data from >200 females. Females typically began reproducing at age 5. These data suggest that Texas tortoises have adopted a strategy of rapid growth and early maturity to compensate for a high mortality rate. This strategy is also consistent with a species adapted for rapid recovery following disturbances. In contrast, initial analyses for a population approximately 270 km to the southeast in the Lower Rio Grande Valley suggested that ~29% of the population fell into the 18+ age category. Thus, the

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Program Abstracts 2010 survival pattern of this Lower Rio Grande Valley population is remarkably different from the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area population. These observations suggest that this species may have a remarkable level of demographic plasticity for a tortoise and more population monitoring is needed to help elucidate these patterns. Field Studies: Oral

Phylogenetic Relationships of Testudo Complex in Anatolia Based on mtDNA Cytb Gene FERHAT KIREMIT , FEVZI BARDAKCI AND OGUZ TURKOZAN Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts & Science, Adnan Menderes University, 09100 Aydın, TURKEY [[email protected]]

The spur-thighed tortoise, Testudo graeca , has recently been split into a complex of species. Since this group could be considered under threat due to its trade and habitat destruction, an understanding of evolutionary lineages in this taxon is important for guiding conservation strategies. Mitochondrial DNA Cyt b gene for 205 specimens from 100 different localities representing morphologically defined taxa across Turkey was sequenced. Furthermore, we added GeneBank sequences reported in previous studies to place the Turkish Testudo into a broader regional phylogenetic framework. A total of 74 haplotypes were found in 269 sequences. The data of aligned haplotypes were analyzed by PAUP 4.0b10 and resulting evolutionary trees put forward six well supported monophyletic lineages, namely terrestris, ibera, buxtoni, armeniaca, zarudnyi and Africa . Of these lineages, the first four range in Turkey. Recently described taxa Testudo graeca anamurensis and Testudo antakyensis were found genetically identical to Testudo graeca terrestris . The existences of buxtoni clade in Turkey were reported for the first time. Poster Session

Conservation of Two “Lonely Animals”: trivittata and swinhoei GERALD KUCHLING Chelonia Enterprises, 154 Bagot Road, Subiaco, WA 6008, AUSTRALIA [[email protected]]

Although finding and rounding up for captive breeding the last individuals of a species on the brink of extinction can be a challenge, the real challenge for those species is to draft and implement a conservation strategy which goes beyond captivity once breeding and/or headstarting is successful. The conservation program for Batagur trivittata , a species that had not been seen alive from 1935 to 2002, has reached the stage where a large number of juveniles (<200) are now stretching the capacity of the captive facility in Mandalay. A species survival plan from 2004 included as priority action investigations of the biology of B. trivittata in the Dokhtawady River to collect baseline data for the re-stocking of this population with captive raised juveniles. However, since 2005 this part of the 2004 species survival plan has been abandoned, with the result that no concrete plans and preparations are in place today for the timely and strategic use of the headstarted juveniles to recover wild populations. Examples of successful strategies for the parallel implementation of captive breeding and release of headstarted juveniles for the recovery of wild populations include the Pseudemydura umbrina in Western Australia and Erymnochelys madagascariensis at Ankarafantsika National Park in Madagascar. In the case of Rafetus swinhoei the initial challenge - to successfully breed the species in captivity using the last known male and female in China - has not yet been mastered. However, once this hurdle will been overcome, and given their potential number of offspring per year, it will be immediately necessary to draft and implement a strategy for the re-establishment of populations in the wild. This will be a challenge in the heavily populated lower area of China, but a recent successful reintroduction program of the Chinese Alligator on an island in the Yangtze delta close to the metropolis of Shanghai, lead by the late John Thorbjarnarson, demonstrates that this is not impossible. John T: A Passion for Reptiles, the Life of John T: Oral

Sex Ratios in Captive Breeding Projects of Astrochelys yniphora , Astrochelys radiata , and Tortoises GERALD KUCHLING Chelonia Enterprises, 154 Bagot Road, Subiaco, WA 6008, AUSTRALIA [[email protected]]

The evaluation of offspring sex ratios is important in any large-scale endangered species breeding program, especially if temperature dependent sex determination is a possibility. I used an endoscope to assess the sex ratios of juvenile Ploughshare Tortoises ( Astrochelys yniphora ) in Ampijoroa, Madagascar, Aldabra Tortoises ( gigantea ) and Dipsochelys dussumieri at the La Vanille Crocodile and Tortoise Park in Mauritius, and Radiated Tortoises ( Astrochelys radiata ) at the John Behler Chelonian Conservation Centre (BCC) in California. These projects employed different methods of egg incubation that range from leaving eggs in the nests constructed by the females in their enclosures (Ampijoroa, partly La

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Program Abstracts 2010

Vanille) to artificial incubation in incubators (La Vanille, BCC). The breeding programs of all three species produced female biased sex ratios in their offspring, suggesting that all these species have temperature dependent sex determination. Astrochelys yniphora that bred in Ampijoroa during the late 1980s and 1990s showed a M:F ratio of 1:5 (n=60). Aldabra Tortoises that bred at la Vanille in the late 1990s and 2000s showed a M:F ratio of 1:4 (n=106). And, A. radiata that bred at the BCC from 2006 to 2009 showed a M:F ratio of 1:7.3 (n=75). Interestingly, incubation conditions, which produced a mixed but female biased sex ratio in A. radiata at the BCC provided only males in simultaneously incubated eggs of the ( platynota ), indicating a higher pivotal temperature in that species. Unfortunately, none of the incubation conditions for any of those species were monitored rigorously enough to allow the determination of pivotal temperatures and the transitional range of male and female producing temperatures. Since a female biased sex ratio seems to be preferable to a male biased or even to a balanced sex ratio in recovery programs of endangered species, there does not seem to be an immediate need to change egg incubation methods to adjust sex ratios in any of those breeding programs. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral

Ecology of a Little Known Terrestrial Geoemydid, tricarinata from Dehradun Valley, Northern India R. SURESH KUMAR , BILAL HABIB AND GAUTAM TALUKDAR Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box # 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248001, Uttarakhand, INDIA [[email protected]]

Tricarinate hill-turtle Melanochelys tricarinata is a poorly known terrestrial South Asian geoemydid, with a narrow distribution range, restricted to the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent. Virtually no information on the species population status, habitat requirements, habit, diet or breeding biology from the wild was known. Through a mark-recapture study we monitored a population of the turtle within a small area (32 ha) in the Dehradun valley of northern India from 2002 to 2008, and obtained information on its population characteristics, general activity pattern, and diet. We also tracked turtles using thread spools to study their movements and ranging pattern. In total, 120 turtles were captured during the study period, 47 of which were adult males, 37 adult females, and 36 were unsexed juveniles and hatchlings. Seventy percent of the turtle captures were of adults, and the overall adult sex ratio was unbiased. The larger body size was however biased to males with an average carapace length of 154 mm (range 127-175 mm), and weight of 461.5 g (range 280.0-621.1 g), as compared to females with average carapace length of 138 mm (range 117-151 mm), and weight of 382.5 g (range 240.0-511.1 g). Turtles were captured mainly during the rainy months (94.4 %), and captures were significantly correlated with periods of high rainfall in the area. The movements of turtles tracked using thread spools also showed positive correlation with rainfall and humidity, but showed negative correlation with decreasing ambient temperature. Turtles were tracked for a minimum of 14 hr to up to 264 days and interspersed with active as well as inactive phases. Observations of diet suggest the species to be omnivorous feeding on both fruits and animal matter. Field Studies: Oral

Community Structure of Four Aquatic Turtle Populations in the Texas Panhandle MARK J. LANGE AND RICHARD T. KAZMAIER West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas 79016 USA [[email protected]]

The Texas Panhandle is a semi-arid region with a wide variation in amount and frequency of rainfall. Under such variable hydroperiods, aquatic turtles face unique challenges. The Texas Panhandle also represents the western extent of the geographic range of many taxa. These conditions offer interesting opportunities to examine turtle communities, compared to the more mesic and better studied communities found further south and east. We sampled aquatic turtles at 4 locations in this region (Matador Wildlife Management Area [WMA] in Cottle County, Gene Howe WMA in Hemphill County, Pat Murphy WMA in Lipscomb County, and the Cross Bar Cooperative Management Area [CMA] in Potter County) using a wide variety of trapping gear from April 2006-July 2009. This effort resulted in 2068 captures of 1272 individuals of 5 species of turtles. Species richness was 4 species at all sites. However, Pat Murphy WMA had one species () that was not found at any of the other sites and lacked yellow mud turtles that were present on all other sites. Cross Bar CMA was the most diverse site based upon Shannon-Weiner diversity indices, however, Gene Howe WMA was the most diverse community based on Modified Simpson diversity indices. Pat Murphy WMA was the least diverse site based on both Shannon-Weiner and Modified Simpson diversity indices. All populations had very little deviation from 1:1 adult sex ratio. Gene Howe WMA, Pat Murphy WMA, and Matador WMA had high proportions of adults ranging from 88%-95%. However, Cross Bar CMA had a much lower proportion of adults at 76%. Sliders did not exhibit variation in size dimorphism index among sites, but yellow mud turtles were most dimorphic at Gene Howe WMA and least dimorphic at Matador WMA. Daily growth rates for both sliders and yellow mud turtles did not differ among sites. These results highlight intriguing differences among turtle communities within a relatively small area. Continued sampling in these and other populations in the region should help elucidate the mechanisms behind these differences. Community Ecology of Turtles: Oral (Student) 8th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles | Orlando, Florida 22

Program Abstracts 2010

Impacts of Water-based Recreation on the Spatial Ecology of Stinkpot Turtles ( Sternotherus odoratus ) in an Ontario Park JOLENE LAVERTY AND JACQUELINE D. LITZGUS Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6 CANADA [[email protected]]

Land-based recreation can have a negative impact on turtles, but little is known about the impacts of water-based recreation on turtles. Provincial parks are considered protected areas for species at risk, but parks also provide areas for recreational activities for people, and studies are needed to determine if human presence is impacting resident species at risk. The purpose of our project was to determine if water-based recreation is having an effect on the health and spatial ecology of Stinkpot Turtle ( Sternotherus odoratus ) populations in The Massasauga Provincial Park (The MPP). We predicted if human recreation was negatively affecting turtles, then 1) injuries and mortality would be higher in impacted than in non-impacted sites, and 2) home range sizes and movements would be greater in impacted sites as turtles try to avoid people. Data were collected from three replicates of each site treatment: impacted bays and non-impacted bays. Thirty-two females were radio tracked during the 2009 field season and locations recorded; ArcGIS was used to examine movements and estimate home range sizes. Incidences of injuries and adult mortality were higher at impacted sites. Although not statistically significant, the home range sizes and movements were greater in impacted than in non-impacted sites. In mid-summer, when human presence at the park was greatest, turtles had significantly larger home ranges in impacted compared to non-impacted sites. Our findings indicate that water-based recreation could be negatively impacting Stinkpot turtles in The MPP, but further study with larger sample sizes are needed to make conclusive statements. Poster Session (Student)

Conservation Strategies for the Ploughshare Tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora ) 1 2 2 1 1 RICHARD LEWIS , A. ROSS KIESTER , ERIC GOODE , ANGELO RAMY , ERNEST BEKARANY , 1 1 LALA JEAN RAKOTONIAINA , AND HENRI RAKOTOSALAMA 1Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, BP 8511, Antananarivo 101, MADAGASCAR 2Turtle Conservancy, 49 Bleecker St., Suite 601, New York, NY 10012, USA [[email protected]]

The Angonoka or Ploughshare Tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora ) is one of the world’s most endangered chelonians. Confined to just a few localities in western Madagascar, it is threatened by bush fires and illegal collection. Durrell began a captive breeding program in 1986 and since then a series of conservation strategies have been developed to address the changing threats to the species. In 1998 the entire range of the species was designated as Baly Bay National Park (62,000 ha) and in 2000 the Park became operational. From the late 1990s onwards, a series of firebreaks were developed around the tortoise habitat to ensure that savannah fires that are set to stimulate new grass for cattle would not burn the tortoise’s bamboo scrub habitat. In 2006, Durrell began a reintroduction program for the species, using captive-bred stock to re-populate an area of scrub where the species had disappeared in the 1970’s. To date 45 tortoises have been released. By the mid- 2000’s, there was a positive outlook for this species. But now international and national events have caused a turn for the worst. Collection for the pet trade is now seriously affecting the wild population. With the breakdown in law and order in early 2009 following the overthrow of the President, international smugglers have profited from a national power vacuum to target the Angonoka. Durrell and the Turtle Conservancy/Behler Chelonian Center are supporting The Malagasy Forestry and Parks Department to develop and implement new flexible ways of monitoring and enforcement. Moving away from traditional park guards, we are supporting the creation of a network of village patrols to watch over all the tortoise zones and report irregularities. New threats are still emerging, as 2011 will see the start of the biggest mining project in Madagascar ($8 billion) next to the park. It is estimated that up to 10,000 people will be living by the park by 2013 with a port established at the park edge. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral

The Turtle Community of Misery Bay and Graveyard Pond on Presque Isle, Lake Erie, Pennsylvania, With Emphasis on Spiny Softshells ( Apalone spinifera ) PETER V. LINDEMAN Department of Biology and Health Services, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA 16444 USA [[email protected]]

Although the spiny softshell ( Apalone spinifera ) is a widespread and often abundant turtle species in lotic habitats of eastern and central , populations in the greater Laurentian drainage have recently become the subject of conservation concern in Ontario, Quebec, and Vermont, where populations are believed to be very low. In 11 years of trapping turtles at Presque Isle, primarily in Graveyard Pond and adjoining Misery Bay, I have recorded only 51 captures of spiny softshells, just 1.6% of all turtle captures made (N = 3120). The other species captured, in order of abundance, were common map

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Program Abstracts 2010 turtles (Graptemys geographica ; N = 1920, 63%), common snapping turtles ( serpentina ; N = 514, 16%), stinkpots (Sternotherus odoratus ; N = 408, 13%), and painted turtles ( Chrysemys picta ; N = 232, 7%). A sixth species, the Blanding’s turtle ( Emydoidea blandingii ), also occurs in Graveyard Pond but has not been captured during trapping, with only two specimens found on roads. Only two recaptures of spiny softshells are included in the trapping data, however, well below recapture rates for the other four turtle species (4% vs. 17−37%), hence the spiny softshell population may be larger than relative abundance data indicate and consist of wide-ranging individuals that are rarely subject to recapture. Highest catch per unit effort has been in fykenets set during mid and late summer at the north end of Misery Bay, where capture success of spiny softshells, common map turtles, and stinkpots peaks dramatically in late August and early September. The secondary sex ratio of spiny softshells is approximately 1:1 (24 males and 21 females), but exceptional sexual size dimorphism promoted by bimaturism produces a male bias in captures of presumptively mature individuals. Four hatchling spiny softshells taken by hand in shallow water constitute the only young juveniles captured. The only consistently used nesting area known for spiny softshells is the west shoreline of Thompson Bay. Community Ecology of Turtles: Oral

Map Turtles of the Mermentau: Status Surveys of Forgotten Populations PETER V. LINDEMAN Department of Biology and Health Services, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA 16444 USA [[email protected]]

The first specimens of Sabine map turtles ( Graptemys sabinensis Cagle 1953) were collected in 1893−94 from the Mermentau River at Mermentau in southwestern Louisiana by amateur collector Gustave Kohn, who sent them to Georg Baur. Baur planned to describe a new species, Graptemys intermedia , in a turtle monograph which went unpublished following his death in 1898; nevertheless, the name was used by Beyer in his 1900 checklist of Louisiana herpetofauna. Other than a brief mention of three survey sites at which the species was seen in 2001 by Shively, Mermentau populations of Graptemys have been neglected by turtle researchers. I surveyed basking turtles throughout the Mermentau drainage in May 2010 and recorded G. sabinensis on the mainstem river both above and below Lake Arthur; in Lake Arthur; and in all five major tributary bayous: Lacassine, Queue de Tortue, Nezpique, des Cannes, and Plaquemine Brule. Densest populations were in the Mermentau River (including Lake Arthur) and bayous Plaquemine Brule and Nezpique. Graptemys sabinensis was the predominant basking species, at 69% of all turtles seen (796 of 1151) in an assemblage with seven basking turtle species. In contrast, the rarest basking species was the congeneric map turtle ( G. pseudogeographica kohnii ), at just 0.2% of all turtles seen. Poster Session

An Overview of Chelonian Research Conducted at Ichauway Reserve in Southwest Georgia JENNIFER M. LINEHAN , JESSICA L. GONYNOR , SEAN C. STERRETT , DAVID A. STEEN , ERIC P. CONDON , AND LORA L. SMITH Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, Newton, Georgia 39870, USA [[email protected]]

Chelonians are among the most imperiled reptiles in the Southeastern U.S. with several species afforded some level of legal protection. Potential factors contributing to their declines include habitat loss and degradation, introduced invasive species, pollution, disease, and over collection. We have documented fourteen of seventeen southeastern species at Ichauway Reserve, the research site for the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center in southwestern Georgia. This total includes three species that receive state protection: Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus ), Barbour’s Map Turtle (Graptemys barbouri ), and the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macroclemys temminckii ). High species diversity is a reflection of the wide variety of terrestrial and freshwater habitats available, including upland ( Pinus palustris ) forest, numerous isolated seasonal wetlands, and 45 km of riverine habitat. We present a compilation of turtle research conducted at Ichauway, from 2002-2010, and discuss immediate threats and potential solutions to protect Chelonian species in Georgia. Poster Session

Conservation of the Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata ): Pilot Program Development through Community Training and Educational Outreach at Lavavolo Classified Forest, Madagascar 1 1, 2 3 EDWARD E. LOUIS , JR. , TSILAVO H. RAFELIARISOA , SÉBASTIEN RIOUX -PAQUETTE , 4 5,6 7 SUSIE M. MCGUIRE , RYAN C.J. WALKER , AND GARY D. SHORE 1Madagascar Biodiversity and Biogeography Project, Henry Doorly Zoo, Grewcock’s Center for Conservation and Research, 3701 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68107, USA [[email protected]]

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Program Abstracts 2010

2Département de Biologie Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, BP 906, Antananarivo, Madagascar 3Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution & School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 660, Wellington 6140 4Conservation Fusion, 5820 Spring St., Omaha, NE 68106 5Nautilus Ecology, 1 Pond Lane, Greetham, Rutland, LE15 7NW, 6Department of Life Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, United Kingdom 7Madagascar Biodiversity and Biogeography Project, Henry Doorly Zoo, Grewcock’s Center for Conservation and Research, 3701 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68107, USA

The long term sustainability of the Radiated tortoise, Astrochelys radiata , one of the flagship species that inhabits the dry spiny forests of southern and southwestern Madagascar, has been put at risk over the past decade primarily due to habitat loss and illicit harvesting. The Radiated Tortoise Project (RTP) was initiated by the Henry Doorly Zoo’s Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership as a response to this deplorable crisis. Using multifaceted approach, the RTP selected Lavavolo as the initial site for long-term conservation efforts by committing to build and support community infrastructure through multi-tiered opportunities of partnerships and collaborations. Based on surveys and published material, this presentation intends to preview the obstacles that the poverty driven region of Lavavolo and other communities face. We will report on the development of pilot programs that will provide solutions to the effects of the long term drought in southern Madagascar. We will present the prototype equipment and programs that have been developed and transferred for implementation to the region including solar desiccation, solar desalination, manual grinders, rocket stoves, habitat restoration, cactus biofuel briquettes, and alternative personal food and commercial revenue plant production. Furthermore, all programs, including the pilot programs for onsite testing and large scale “grass roots” applications in Lavavolo, are based on a linked educational methodology designed to be transferable to other regions in southern Madagascar. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral

A Quantitative Analysis of the State of Knowledge of Turtles of the United States and Canada: How Much do We Really Know? JEFF LOVICH AND JOSH ENNEN U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, 2255 North Gemini Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA [[email protected]]

The “information age” ushered in an explosion of knowledge and access to knowledge that continues to revolutionize society. Knowledge about turtles, as measured by numbers of published papers, has been growing at an exponential rate since the early 1970s, a phenomenon mirrored in all scientific disciplines. A succession of books have been published to summarize the growing body of literature on turtles of the United States and Canada starting with Pope (1939), and continuing with Carr (1952), Ernst and Barbour (1972), Ernst, Lovich and Barbour (1994) and, most recently, Ernst and Lovich (2009). If knowledge is measured as numbers of citations per species or amount of text written per species, both of which have been used in other published studies, it is possible to quantitatively analyze knowledge about this increasingly imperiled group of species. In order, the estimated numbers of citations used to compile the five books above were 800, 1,398, 1,335, 2,933, and 5,180. Based on the 2009 book the amount of text per species was highly correlated with the number of estimated citations/species. The species with the most citations and the most text in 1994 were Trachemys scripta and Gopherus agassizii , respectively. The least known species was Pseudemys gorzugi . The mean estimated number of citations/species was significantly different between 1994 (45.2) and 2009 (99.2) but the diversity and evenness of citations among species was the same. By 2009 the most-cited species was still T. scripta , although G. agassizii still had the most text. The bottom ten, most poorly-studied species (in order) include: arizonense , Pseudemys gorzugi , Kinosternon hirtipes , Pseudemys peninsularis , Pseudemys alabamensis , Pseudemys suwanniensis , Trachemys gaigeae , Pseudemys texana , Graptemys caglei , and Sternotherus carinatus , ranging from 4 – 18 estimated citations each. The mean number of citations/species was significantly greater for species listed under the Endangered Species Act than for those that were not but the same was not true for IUCN status. The rate of increase in citations for the common species T. scripta was the same as that for the imperiled species G. agassizii . Knowledge is not always successfully translated into effective conservation of turtles. Oral Hot Spots: nest-site selection in New York State 1 2 1 SUZANNE MACEY , ANDREW MYERS , AND J. ALAN CLARK 1Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Larkin Hall 160, 441 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx, NY 10458 USA 2Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY ESF, 241 Illick Hall, Syracuse, NY 13210 USA [[email protected]]

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Program Abstracts 2010

The bog turtle ( muhlenbergii ) is a federally-threatened species, primarily because the early successional wet- meadow/fen habitat bog turtles require is increasingly rare. However, little is known about bog turtle nesting habitat requirements within this rare habitat. Understanding nest site microhabitat conditions is important because such conditions may not only determine the survival of turtle embryos, but may also determine the sex of individuals (if bog turtles have temperature-dependant sex determination – which is currently unknown). In New York State, organizations like the NY Natural Heritage Program have delineated bog turtle nesting habitat based on standards for optimal bog turtle nesting habitat produced by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). But the TNC standards have not yet been compared with actual nest microhabitat data. Our goal was to evaluate, and potentially improve, the TNC standards by studying the microhabitat of multiple bog turtle nests. In 2009, we used radio telemetry to track 21 female bog turtles to their nests. We then collected microhabitat nest site data based on the TNC standards. In addition, we measured several supplemental parameters, including woody stem density, distance to open water/muck, and nest temperature. Using CART-analysis, we determined that the most important microhabitat conditions were reduced woody stem density and a distance to open water/muck between 5 and 70 cm. Nest sites were also significantly warmer than nearby random locations. With additional data from the 2010 season, we hope to continue improving our understanding of maternal nest-site selection in bog turtles, especially relationship between vegetative cover, nest temperature, and nest success. With this new information, we will make recommendations for updating the TNC standards with the goal of improving the preservation and management of this species’ habitat. Poster Session (Student)

Habitat Preferences of Box Turtle Populations at Southern University Edwardsville JILL MAES AND ELIZABETH M. WALTON Department of Geography, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL 62026 USA [[email protected]]

This was the first study of box turtle populations at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) campus. It assessed box turtles in a specifically designated area that was degraded habitat at a four-way intersection. The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina ), the ( ornata ), and the three toed box turtle ( Terrapene carolina triunguis ) were all found in the designated area. The area used consisted of three different types of habitats. The first area was categorized as grassland with a small amount of canopy cover. This section had a dominant vegetation of tall (5’+) prairie grass. The second habitat used was a type of wetland, which contained a mixture of vegetation. It had prairie grass, deciduous trees, and woody shrubs. This area remained well saturated during the trapping season. The last section of the area was categorized as a forest and contained around a 95-100% canopy cover. It was filled with deciduous trees, woody shrubs, and a considerable amount of leaf litter. Twenty traps were set throughout the area, which were checked every day from March through August. When a turtle was found in the area or in a trap, the GPS location was recorded. Every turtle found was measured and weighed. Each turtle received its own tracking number that was notched along its marginal scute with a unique numbering system (as per Buhlmann), so that it could be identified if recaptured. All three turtle species utilized the forest area and wetland habitat more than the grassy habitat. Poster Session (Student)

Turtle Soup and Sexual-size Dimorphism: Anthropogenic Impacts on River Cooter Life History Revealed by a Long- term Study in Rainbow River, Marion Co., Florida 1 2 NICHOLE M. MATTHEUS AND PETER A. MEYLAN 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, 313 MHB Hall, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487 USA [[email protected]] 2Natural Sciences, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33711 USA

A twenty year mark-recapture study of turtles at Rainbow River, Marion Co., Florida revealed a reduction in the population size and individual size, as well as unexpected survivorship patterns for Suwannee cooters (Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis ). During the 2000-2008 sampling sessions used in this study, turtles were caught by snorkelers, marked, measured for size and known sexually dimorphic traits, and released. We predicted that the Rainbow River P. c. suwanniensis population would follow expected survivorship trends and that the population would increase over time as the study area lies within state park and aquatic preserve boundaries. Under natural conditions chelonians are expected to show increasing (Type III) survivorship with age and size. Markovian analysis of this extensive data set demonstrates that P. c. suwanniensis does not follow the expected survivorship trend for a long lived reptile; survivorship (Phi < 0.9) drastically decreases when reproductive size is reached. Thus, our results suggest increased rather than decreased mortality of larger sized P. c. suwanniensis in a river with high anthropogenic influence. Mortality rates do not appear to be gender-biased but rather are influenced by the size of the individual. When survivorship does not match predictions based on natural systems, non-natural threats may be the best explanation for altered mortality rates. Selective harvest of the largest individuals in the

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Program Abstracts 2010 population would be a good explanation for our observations. This study suggests the potential for long-term evolutionary implications of harvesting and thus the necessity of conservation efforts for freshwater turtles and their habitats from the pressures harvesting places on wild populations. Florida Turtles: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities: Oral (Student)

A Radio Telemetry Study into the Seasonal Activity and Home Range in the Three ( Cuora mouhotii, Gray, 1862) TIMOTHY MCCORMACK , HOANG VAN HA, DOUG HENDRIE AND BUI DANG PHONG Asian Turtle Program (ATP) of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ngo 31, Xuan Dieu Street, Hanoi, VIETNAM [[email protected]]

With little currently known on the behavior and habitat use of wild Southeast Asian tortoises and freshwater turtles (TFT) this investigation intended to determine the season variation in behavior and activity of the Keeled Box Turtles ( Cuora mouhotii ) in Cuc Phuong National Park, northern Vietnam. Data was collected on this cryptic forest dependant species using radio telemetry to obtain weekly straight-line distances from July 2003 to June 2007. The study found a mean kernel home range for Cuora mouhotii of 3.95ha + 4.36, with significantly more activity in the summer monsoon season followed by extended periods of hibernation/aestivation averaging 22.83 weeks. From 2007 and 2008 an additional study investigated daily straight-line distance during three months in distinctly different seasons using a group of seven Cuora mouhotii was recorded to investigate more closely seasonal variations in home range and habitat use. The implications of activity and habitat use in the species on threats are discussed and recommendations on how information can be used in protected area management and planning made. On the Brink, the Genus Cuora: Oral

Training of Turtle Detection Dogs for Surveys of Critically Endangered Indochinese Box Turtles, Cuora galbinifrons (Bourret, 1941), Cuora bourreti (Obst & Reimann, 1994) and Cuora picturata (Lehr et al. 1998) in Vietnam TIMOTHY MCCORMACK Asian Turtle Program (ATP) of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ngo 31, Xuan Dieu Street, Hanoi, VIETNAM [[email protected]]

With high levels of exploitation of tortoises and freshwater turtles in many Southeast Asian in recent decades effective surveying of some species is becoming increasingly difficult. This is particularly true for terrestrial species which have in many areas been reduced to such low numbers that many man hours are now required to catch a single turtle. The Indochinese Box Turtles, ( Cuora galbinifrons, Cuora bourreti, & Cuora picturata) are such species, now listed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list 2010 in many protected areas in Vietnam the species has suffered dramatic decline, a fact supported by interview information. With the need now to confirm priority areas for these species local hunting dogs have been used in some protected areas with some success. Here we look at the professional training of survey dogs by enforcement specialist as a solution to collecting data on this increasingly rare yet critically important species group. On the Brink, the Genus Cuora: Oral

Cattle Ranches: Safe Havens for the Gopher Tortoise? EARL D. MCCOY AND HENRY R. MUSHINSKY Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, 33620 USA [[email protected]]

The gopher tortoise still can be found throughout Florida, but its numbers have been severely reduced from the several million individuals that probably once inhabited the State. Centuries of exploitation for food and habitat destruction have taken their toll on gopher tortoise populations in Florida. Less than 30 years ago, the species was considered a game animal, despite its listing by the State as a species of conservation concern. Less than 20 years ago, developers were allowed to incidentally “take” individuals (entomb them in place). The abandonment of “take,” coupled with strict relocation guidelines – both of which have come about only within the past few years – promise to be important conservation actions for the gopher tortoise. Any increased emphasis on relocation creates a potential dilemma, however: the very factor – habitat loss – which prompts the need for relocation also limits the potential places available to accept relocated individuals. Individuals will need to be relocated to lands that may not be considered prime habitat. It is ethically unsound to relocate individuals to lands that do not have at least a reasonable probability of being able to support those individuals and their progeny for multiple generations; and we must, therefore, ensure that any lands with relocated individuals are capable of doing so. One kind of land that may be used for relocation is cattle ranches. We describe an on-going study of a relocation of gopher

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Program Abstracts 2010 tortoises to a cattle ranch north of Tampa. From the ranching perspective, allowing gopher tortoises to coexist with cattle traditionally has been considered bad practice for several reasons, including the risks to cattle of stepping in burrows and of contracting diseases from gopher tortoise ticks. Our study, on the other hand, examines the tortoise-cattle interaction from the conservation management perspective. We ask if a gopher tortoise population can coexist successfully with cattle in a typical ranching situation, and if it can maintain a healthy demographic profile while living in typical cattle habitat. Florida Turtles: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities: Oral

Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles – An Overview PETER A. MEYLAN Natural Sciences, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33711 USA [[email protected]]

Florida is part of one of two centers of turtle biodiversity worldwide. Twenty-five species representing seven families are present in the modern fauna. This diversity of species is subject to a wide array of threats, mostly related to rapid development. A variety of threats has resulted in the consideration of 18 of 25 species for some level of listing. The diversity of Florida turtles and the threats that they face are reviewed on the basis of a recently published volume on all Florida turtles. Florida species and the authors that wrote about them are introduced. Threats to turtles in Florida are summarized on the basis of 25 species accounts. These include (starting with most frequently mentioned): habitat degradation, commercial harvest, subsidized predators, road mortality, habitat loss, incidental capture, pet trade, fire ants, hybridization, impoundments, disease, lack of biological data, and target shooting. Florida Turtles: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities: Oral

Chelonian Innovative Wound Care TERRY M. NORTON , MICHELLE KAYLOR , AMY HUPP , RACHAEL THOMAS , ERIKA KEMLER , AND STEVEN NELSEN Georgia Sea Turtle Center, 214 Stable Island Road, Jekyll Island, GA 31527 USA

Twenty to 30% of sea turtles stranding in coastal Georgia have some evidence of boat strike injuries. Many survive some very significant trauma and are presented to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for rehabilitation. Approximately 300 Diamondback terrapins ( Malaclemys terrapin carolina ) are hit by automobiles annually on the Jekyll Island causeway. Innovative wound care techniques have been developed for these injuries. Attention must be paid to emergency care, development of a prognosis, diagnostic testing and supportive care for turtles presenting with significant wounds. Principles of wound care that are utilized on other species should be followed. Topical placement of bone cement with antibiotics and doxirobe gel (Pharmacia & Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, USA), honey, honey comb, Medi-honey (Derma Sciences from New Zealand, Toronto, Ontario MIS 3S4) and a variety of silver based products have proven useful in managing these wounds. Petroleum impregnated gauze, Steristrips (3M, St. Paul, MN 55144 USA), Tegaderm dressing (3M, St Paul, MN 55144 USA), superglue, and water proof tape have all been used to cover and water proof various wounds. In areas that are difficult to bandage, suture loops and umbilical tape can be used to keep medication and packing material in place. A modified Vacuum Assisted Wound care protocol has been successfully used for some wounds. The turtle must be out of the water during the treatment, thus a combination VAC therapy with other modalities are typically used. Chelonian Health and Disease : Oral

Controlling Illegal Trade of Pakistan’s Freshwater Turtles in the Indus River System** UZMA NOUREEN AND MASOOD ARSHAD Pakistan Wetlands Programme, P. O. Box 5180, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, PAKISTAN [[email protected]]

We observed illicit trade of freshwater turtles on commercial level from 2007-10 through extensive surveys along the Indus River. We undertook assessment through questionnaires, field observations, focused group discussion, covering a wide range of turtle habitats. In addition, water samples and turtle specimen were also collected for further examination to determine the cause of large-scale mortality, for capture and trade. The official records revealed that export of turtle body parts is a violation to Pakistan's international obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES). Turtle poachers take advantage of flaws in national wildlife legislations and exploiting turtles at mass scale. The field investigations revealed that a complex network of wildlife traders exist in the country who operate actively with the help of native impoverished communities. Turtle capture is a lucrative business for the people who were deprived of their basic necessities of life. Turtle poachers change strategies for capture and transportation of illegally collected specimens, their body parts and products. The marked study suggested that the average value of a softshell species have increased from Rs. 250 to a maximum of Rs. 1200 per

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Program Abstracts 2010 specimen in the last three years. It is either due to decreased availability of desired species or high demand in the international market. The dried body parts of softshell species fetch about Rs. 2000 to 4,500 per kilogram in larger cities of the country. Illicit in Pakistan needs actions at all levels to control it. The Pakistan Wetlands Programme, in order to conserve turtles in general and to stop the illegal trade in particular from the country has initiated the process of establishing a trade monitoring network in Pakistan in collaboration with the TRAFFIC International. The major aim is to bring the concerned organisations on board through regional networks in order to protect the species. A turtle conservation action plan also needs to be developed at national level, which should strongly emphasise on the awareness raising and capacity-building of stakeholders involved, while providing alternative livelihoods to them in order to curb this practice. Captive Husbandry: Oral ** Supported by a Grant from the Turtle Conservation Fund

Ecological Husbandry and Reproduction of the Madagascar Spider and Flat-tailed Tortoises DANIEL W. PEARSON Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 4801 Camp Ranch Road, Gainesville, Florida 32641, USA [[email protected]]

Tortoises of the genus Pyxis have limited ranges along the southwestern coast of the island of Madagascar. The genus includes Pyxis planicauda (Kapidolo, or Flat-tailed Tortoise) and Pyxis arachnoides (Kapika, or ). Pyxis arachnoides includes three subspecies, P. a. arachnoides , P. a. brygooi , and P. a. oblonga . Both species are listed on CITES Appendix I and have been assessed as Critically Endangered for the IUCN Red Data List. Large numbers of both species were exported from Madagascar during 2000 and 2001. A naturally low reproductive rate and an increased rate of habitat loss have generated concern over the status of these species in the wild and in captive collections. Both species are native to tropical dry forest with pronounced wet and dry seasons. Clutch size is typically a single egg with one to four nests per year. An understanding of the climatic and environmental conditions experienced by these species in the wild is important in the establishment of a successful captive breeding program. Replicating the seasonal cycles and maintenance of a dry season aestivation period for adults appears important for successful reproduction. Pyxis eggs typically undergo an extended embryonic diapause that likely corresponds to the extended, and often severe, dry season in their native range. High hatching rates have been achieved in several captive colonies by exposing fertile eggs to cooler and drier conditions for several weeks following an initial warm period. A shift back to warmer and more humid conditions appears to trigger or reinitiate embryonic development. An embryonic diapause controlled by environmental cues may serve to synchronize and delay hatching until the following wet season. Current conservation measures include an AZA studbook and a Population Management Plan. Long-term success of existing assurance colonies will require continued cooperation between zoological Institutions and private breeders. Madagascar: Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral

Harvest of Endangered Sideneck River Turtles ( Podocnemis spp. ) in the Middle Orinoco, Venezuela 1, 2 3 3 1 2 CLAUDIA PEÑALOZA , OMAR HERNÁNDEZ , RODOLFO ESPÍN , LARRY B. CROWDER AND GUILLERMO R. BARRETO 1Center for Marine Conservation, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, 135 Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, 28516 USA 2Laboratorio de Conservación y Manejo de Fauna, Departamento de Biología de Organismos, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Apto. 89000, Caracas 1080-A, VENEZUELA 3Fundación Para el Desarrollo de las Ciencias Físicas, Matemáticas y Naturales. FUDECI. Palacio de las Academias, Avenida Universidad de Bolsa a San Francisco, Apto. 185, Caracas 1010-A, VENEZUELA [[email protected]]

Estimated at over 125,000 nesting females in 1945, commercial had nearly extinguished the (Podocnemis expansa ) population in the Middle Orinoco by 1985 (< 2000 nesters). In 1989, a wildlife refuge was created to protect the last remaining arrau nesting beaches in the region. The arrau turtle is critically endangered in Venezuela, and harvesting it is illegal since 1962. Because of the dependence on turtles as a food resource for riverine communities, congeneric species like the endangered terecay ( Podocnemis unifilis ) and galapago ( Podocnemis vogli) suffer increased human harvest pressure in areas where arrau abundance decreased. To quantify harvest of sideneck turtles by studying discarded turtle shells, we visited 29 riverine communities up and down river from the Arrau Turtle Wildlife Refuge, Middle Orinoco, Venezuela. We found sideneck turtle shells in most communities visited; arrau shells (carapaces and plastrons) were the most abundant. Turtle harvest was skewed towards females in all species, and towards juvenile arrau and adult terecay and galapago. Harvested arrau carapaces and juvenile-size plastrons were larger than those caught in scientific surveys whereas reproductive females were selected for in terecay and galapago (no males were harvested). Considering Podocnemis

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Program Abstracts 2010 spp. life history and population recovery for these species in community-based conservation programs elsewhere in South America, we recommend widespread captive breading of faster-maturing terecay and galapago to satisfy turtle consumption needs. These measures, along with continued nesting beach protection, may allow legal subsistence harvest of recovered arrau populations in the future. Captive Husbandry: Oral (Student)

Sideneck River Turtle ( Podocnemis spp. ) Conservation in the Middle Orinoco, Venezuela: the Ribereño’s Perspective 1, 2 3 3 1 1 CLAUDIA PEÑALOZA , OMAR HERNÁNDEZ , RODOLFO ESPÍN , MICHAEL K. ORBACH , LARRY B. CROWDER AND 2 GUILLERMO R. BARRETO 1Center for Marine Conservation, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, 135 Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516 USA [[email protected]] 2Laboratorio de Conservación y Manejo de Fauna, Departamento de Biología de Organismos, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Apto. 89000, Caracas 1080-A, VENEZUELA 3Fundación Para el Desarrollo de las Ciencias Físicas, Matemáticas y Naturales. FUDECI. Palacio de las Academias, Avenida Universidad de Bolsa a San Francisco, Apto. 185, Caracas 1010-A, VENEZUELA

Traditional western resource management has relied on top-down enforcement and exclusion of local people for endangered species conservation. Community-based management and conservation emerged as responses to the numerous failures of centrally managed exclusionary conservation. However, insufficient local participation in resource management has not awarded success to so-called community-based initiatives either. The Middle Orinoco population of giant sideneck turtles or arrau ( Podocnemis expansa ) experienced a precipitous decline in the 20 th century while harvested under central government management. This prompted a national harvest ban in 1962 and the creation of the Arrau Turtle Wildlife Refuge in 1989. Several decades have passed since the protection of this species during which nesting female populations have stabilized but have not increased and illegal harvest is still widespread in the area. Additionally, reduced abundance of the arrau is known to increase harvest pressure on smaller congenerics, namely: the yellow-headed sideneck or terecay ( Podocnemis unifilis ) and savannah sideneck or galapago ( Podocnemis vogli ). We conducted semi-structured interviews in communities along the Middle Orinoco to determine ribereño perception of sideneck turtle conservation. Most ribereños depend on the river for their livelihood and daily sustenance. Community structure is weak or lacking. Most ribereños consume sideneck turtles, preferentially the arrau. Ribereños perceived the historic demise of nesting females but do not agree conservation actions have aided in recovery. Ribereños want to participate in conservation but feel marginalized, harassed and defrauded by government authorities and poachers, perceived as the main barrier towards recovery. The wildlife refuge has affected ribereño behavior by increasing knowledge of the law and reported compliance, though these ribereños also report frequent negative interactions with authorities indicating forceful enforcement. Promoting community-management and harvest of smaller sideneck turtles has been successful in Ecuador and may be an option while the preferred arrau recovers. In general, there is a mismatch between government and ribereño conservation objectives, preservationist and exclusionary versus consumptive and participatory. These must be resolved together, by creating rules of resource access and use and ensuring enforcement officials are trustworthy and just, to guarantee the recovery and sustained use of sideneck turtles in the Middle Orinoco. Poster Session (Student)

Keeping and Breeding depressa (Anderson, 1875), the PETR PETRAS 53001 Pardubice, CZECH REPUBLIC [[email protected]]

Heosemys depressa is considered a critically endangered species by the IUCN and is endemic to the Arakan mountain range in Myanmar. The status of this species in private European collections, along with notes on captive maintenance and breeding, is reported here. H. depressa has been successfully reproduced twice in Europe. In addition, some eggs produced have shown varying degrees of developement before ebryonic death. The first successful breeding was accomplished by the author in 2007 and the second by Elmar Meier in 2010. Three more eggs continue to appear viable and are still incubating at two locations at the time of this writing. There is a total population of 9.16.5 specimens kept at 5 locations in Europe (Austria, Czech republic, Germany, and Switzerland). A studbook for the species is maintained under the European studbook foundation by the author with all animals included. Sucesses and problems with husbandry and reproduction methods will be described for the different locations in Europe. Captive Husbandry: Oral

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Program Abstracts 2010

Southern Chinese Turtle Markets – a Decade of the Asian Turtle Crisis PETR PETRAS 53001 Pardubice, CZECH REPUBLIC [[email protected]]

The author will describe his experiences from his regular visits to China between 1997 and 2009 in this presentation, reviewing the time of the high tide of the Asian turtle crisis. Many different places and markets were visited in the southern Chinese provinces of , , and . With the help of local people, rare turtle species behind the scenes were seen and interesting information about the turtle trade was gathered. Since these visits it was clear that Cuora mccordi did never occur in the area around Baise (proposed type locality) neither was anyone aware of Cuora yunnanensis in Kunming at the end of the 1990´s. Visits to Pingxiang at the Vietnamese border proved that local people knew about Cuora zhoui , although the turtle trade is behind the scenes and the dealer was contacted only with help of the local police. The trade of wild caught turtles has strongly decreased from 1997 to 2009, with the most famous market Qing Ping being closed at the moment. Also turtle trade at the markets in Nanning, where 3 markets were located in the 90´s has decreased and only one is still running the business, the Nanjing Liu market, with just twenty stalls left. The mainly traded turtles at the food markets at the moment (~70%) are farm bred sinensis, Trachemys scripta elegans, Mauremys mutica and Mauremys sinensis . No Indonesian turtles appeared at the markets since 2005, the main wild caught animals now being from Myanmar (e.g. Melanochelys trijuga edeniana, ocellata, Heosemys depressa, impressa ) and Vietnamese (e.g. Cuora galbinifrons, Cuora mouhotii and Geoemyda spengleri ) origin along with wild caught Chinese species (e.g. Geoemyda spengleri, Cuora flavomarginata ), supplying the trade with wild caught animals. Contrary to this, the market with exotic pet turtles offer a wide selection of turtles from nearly all continents nowadays – so you can find for instance Geochelone carbonaria, spixii, Kinosternon scorpioides, Sternotherus minor, Macrochelys temmincki, Astrochelys radiata, Geochelone yniphora, Geochelone sulcata, Malacochersus tornieri, Testudo hermanni, Mauremys japonica and many more along with all the rare, expensive and often highly protected Asian species. The largest of these markets, the Huadiwan in Guangzhou mainly consists of former Qingping vendors that moved to this market after the interest in the Qingping markets by conservationists etc. became too large. Nowadays Chinese dealers are even searching for exotic turtles at European expos (Terraristika Hamm, 2010) and try to acquire species like Cuora trifasciata which is 10x cheaper than in China there. Chelonians of East Asia : Oral

Visit to a Softshell Turtle Farm in Southern Japan PETR PETRAS 53001 Pardubice, CZECH REPUBLIC [[email protected]]

In 2003, the author visited a ( Pelodiscus sinensis ) farm in Japan. This farm is located in the northern part of Kyushu Island, Japan. The owner used to grow snails and fish prior to softshell . The farm itself consists of 18 ponds, each measuring 8x8 m, 3 ponds measuring 15x8 m and the main breeding pond measuring 20x30 m. Each outside pond for adults has a sandy bottom, a ramp for basking and never-ceasing water turnover. Small buildings serve as oviposition areas along the bank of the largest pond. After oviposition, eggs are transfered to incubator and babies hatch after ~ 80 days with a hatching rate of 90% and are raised in small ponds inside a greenhouse. The babies are fed intensively for half a year and have grown to the size of 500 g when transferred to the outside ponds. Adults are fed a diet of homemade paste from with mineral and vitamins added. The farmer produces 800 kg of softshell meat and about 50 000 babies each year. With a price of 3 300 yen for l kg of live turtle, 3 700 yen for frozen meat and 4 300 for freshly killed turtle it is a highly profitable business, as the owner stated he needs to sell only 2 turtles per month to cover his expenses for living. Chelonians of East Asia : Oral

Conservation Status and Ecology of Heosemys depressa in the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range of Western Myanmar** 1 2 2 3 4 STEVEN G. PLATT , KHIN MYO MYO , WIN KO KO , AUNG MAUNG , AND THOMAS R. RAINWATER 1Department of Biology, P.O. Box C-64, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas, 79832 USA [[email protected] ] 2Wildlife Conservation Society-Myanmar Program, Building C-1, Aye Yeik Mon 1 st Street, Hlaing Township, Yangon, MYANMAR 3Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division, Forest Department, Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range, Gwa, MYANMAR 4619 Palmetto Street, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, 29464 USA

The Arakan forest turtle ( Heosemys depressa ) is a Critically Endangered chelonian endemic to the Rakhine Hills of western Myanmar. Virtually nothing is known regarding its natural history, ecology, or conservation status. During May and June

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Program Abstracts 2010

2009 we conducted a survey of the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range (RYER) to assess the conservation status and collect ecological data on H. depressa . RYER (18°00'N; 94°40'E) is a wildlife sanctuary established to protect wild herds of Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ), and encompasses 175,644 ha in Gwa and Thandwee Townships of Rakhine State. During this survey we found five H. depressa in the dense bamboo forests that characterize RYER. These turtles were found at elevations ranging from 139 to 251 m above sea level. Villagers inhabiting agricultural lands adjacent to RYER also reported finding H. depressa in second-growth forest typical of fallow agricultural fields. Hunters contend that H. depressa is most active during the annual wet season (June to September) and can be difficult to find at other times of the year. We documented H. depressa feeding on various fleshy fruits and the soft endosperm of bamboo seeds. The vernacular name of H. depressa is pyant chee zar leik , which literally translates to “turtle that eats rhinoceros feces”. This local name suggests that H. depressa consumed rhinoceros feces, partially digested plant material or fruit embedded within the feces, or insects inhabiting the dung pile. In addition to H. depressa , we found a significant population of yellow tortoises ( Indotestudo elongata ) in RYER. To date, RYER is the only protected area within Myanmar where H. depressa is known to occur and as such, is of global importance for the conservation of this critically endangered species. The relative ease with which we found both H. depressa and I. elongata strongly suggests that both species remain common in RYER. Moreover, there is little human activity within RYER and we found no evidence that turtles or other wildlife are currently being illegally harvested. We conclude that RYER offers excellent prospects for the future conservation of H. depressa owing to its large area, inaccessibility, and minimal human activity. John T: A Passion for Reptiles, the Life of John T: Oral ** Supported by a Grant from the Turtle Conservation Fund

Significant Breedings – Giant Nile Softshell Turtle (Trionyx triunguis ) SARA DAWN PLESUK Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, 3701 S 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68107, USA [[email protected]]

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo has hatched the first captive bred Giant Nile Soft-shell Turtles ( Trionyx triunguis ) in the U.S. An adult pair is maintained in a 48,500 gallon pool in the Zoo’s Lied Jungle Exhibit. Though the female has laid a number of eggs over the past several years, recovery of the eggs from the nest has been challenging. Late in the afternoon on 17 April 2009, keepers discovered that the female was in the process of laying eggs and were able to make note of the nesting site. 10 eggs were collected early the next morning in a shallow nest. Several shells were cracked but the internal membranes appeared to be intact. All eggs were incubated in 1:1 perlite at 84°F. One egg never developed. Two died at an early stage in development. The other 7 eggs developed to full term. At 67 days the first hatchling, along with six others emerged on the same evening. Their average weight was 16 grams. After four additional days in the incubator they were transferred into simple aquatic set ups with a water temperature of 82°F. The hatchlings have been raised on a diet of gut-loaded crickets and Ziegler Aquatic Turtle Food and now average 103 grams. Captive Husbandry : Oral

An Outbreak of Intranuclear Coccidiosis in Pyxis spp. Tortoises 1 1 2 3 4 PETER PRASCHAG , PAUL GIBBONS , THOMAS BOYER , JAMES WELLEHAN , MICHAEL GARNER 1Behler Chelonian Center, Ojai, CA, USA [[email protected]] 2Pet Hospital of Peñasquitos, San , CA, USA 3Zoological Medicine and Wildlife Disease Laboratory and Zoological Medicine Service, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA 4Northwest ZooPath, Snohomish, WA, USA

Intranuclear coccidiosis (IC) of tortoises has been reported in Astrochelys (Geochelone ) radiata , Manouria impressa , (Geochelone ) pardalis , Indotestudo forstenii , and Chersina angulata . This report describes an outbreak of IC in captive Pyxis spp. kept at Behler Chelonian Center (BCC). The outbreak began in January 2008 and intermittent fatalities have continued into 2010. Mortality is currently 50/101. Species/subspecies (mortality rate in parentheses) include Pyxis arachnoides arachnoides (3/29), P. a. brygooi (11/17), P. a. oblonga (7/14), and P. planicauda (29/41). Selected tortoises were either necropsied by MG, or gross necropsy was performed by TB and formalin-fixed tissues were sent to MG for histopathology. Histologic evidence of IC and associated lesions (e.g., lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and necrosis) were present in multiple tissues in P. a. brygooi and P. planicauda . Swabs of cloaca and nasopharynx were collected on selected individuals to identify IC-specific nucleic acid sequences (JW); positive results occurred in all four (sub)species. Four individuals were retested after treatment and two (both juvenile) remained positive. Four P. planacauda were tested by PCR for Mycoplasma sp. (all positive), and by consensus PCR and sequencing for iridoviruses (all negative) and herpesviruses (all negative).

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Program Abstracts 2010

Clinical signs included severe lethargy, rapid weight loss, weakness, gasping respiration, and swollen erythematous vents with gross evidence of epidermal necrosis. Thick choanal mucus was present on gross necropsy. Death usually followed onset of clinical signs within a few days. Five cases were treated with ponazuril (90 mg/ml compounded) 30 mg/kg PO q24h x 4d, and three (60%) of these survived. Subsequently, toltrazuril (Baycox 5% oral suspension, Bayer Vital GmbH, Deutschland), 15 mg/kg, q48h x 5 doses for 2 to 4 treatments at least 2 weeks apart, was administered to 45 individuals including the 3 that survived ponazuril treatment; 30 (67%) of these survived. There was no statistically significant difference detected in outcomes between treatments. Individuals were also treated with enrofloxacin, metronidazole, and nutritional support as indicated. The affected group of Pyxis was not isolated from other chelonians at BCC, but no other species has exhibited clinical signs to date. Astrochelys radiata was among the species that shared air space with affected Pyxis . Chelonian Health and Disease : Oral

Softshell Turtles in Temple Ponds of India and PETER PRASCHAG AND RUPALI GHOSE Am Katzelbach 98, 8054 Graz, AUSTRIA [[email protected]]

In south Asia turtles have been kept in temple ponds of different world religions since thousands of years. Whereas in Bangladesh only a few Islamic temple ponds with turtles exist, numerous temple tanks with turtles are scattered all over India. In Hindu belief the turtle is associated with the Kurma (first Avatar) incarnation of Lord Vshnu, but most of these temples are dedicated to one of the creators, to Lord Shiva. The future of several riverine turtle species in India and Bangladesh is threatened by the National River Linking Project (NRLP) which is expected to cause mayor changes and devastation of river ecosystems. In the opinion of developers every single drop of river water reaching the ocean is supposed to be a waste. In collaboration with the Forest department countless temple complexes with ponds could be used for a systematic breeding and subsequently rearing and repatriation of a variety of freshwater turtles. Temples are centers of encounter, humility and worshipping and thus ideal for transporting information and awareness to people. Unfortunately articles in newspapers with reports of a mass dying of turtles in temple ponds are not uncommon and have a variety of different reasons. Therefore awareness of the temple committees and a modification of temple ponds have to be rose and implemented. We identified a temple pond in inhabiting a population of Black Softshell Turtles (Nilssonia nigricans) which is going to be altered to a breeding facility and could be presented as a model throughout the country. Softshell Turtles: Oral

Madagascar: Island Continent of Tortoises Great and Small PETER C. H. PRITCHARD Chelonian Research Institute, 402 South Central Avenue, Oviedo, Florida 32765 USA [[email protected]]

The thousand-mile long island of Madagascar was a biological paradise for millions of years before humans arrived from Asia and Africa about 2000 years ago. The classic megafauna included the elephant birds, a species of hippopotamus, an array of lemur species some as large as bears, and a spectacular array of amphibians and reptiles that were almost all endemic to the island. Since the arrival of humans, overexploitation of the extraordinary endemic fauna, and unsustainable agricultural practices, have systematically reduced that fauna. The large lemurs are gone; only small and a few medium-sized ones remain. The colossal elephant bird Aepyornis was exterminated just a few centuries ago; and its thick eggshell fragments are still found in the sands of the extreme south. The huge, thick-shelled, flattened tortoise species, Dipsochelys grandidieri , known from about a dozen complete shells from southwestern Madagascar, disappeared about 1200 years ago. It was partially sympatric with another large tortoise species, Dipsochelys abrupta , with a contrasting, very high, domed carapace. The extinct, Malagasy giant tortoises may have played key roles in the “seeding” of giant tortoises through the islands of the western Indian Ocean, including Dipsochelys elephantina , on Aldabra, and with genetically very similar forms in the granitic Seychelles. The Mascarene tortoises on Reunion, Mauritius, and Rodrigues were an independent, distinct lineage. Most of the area of Madagascar lacks tortoises, but the spectacular Radiated Tortoise, Astrochelys radiata , still survives, even flourishes in some places, in the extreme south and southeast of the island. Its range is about 21,000 km 2, but this shrinks every year due to human predation, while others are caught for trade or export. The related, larger, very rare Angonoka ( Astrochelys yniphora ) only occurs near Baly Bay in the northwest. The other species are very small, including the three subspecies of the Spider Tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides ) on the south coast, and the localized Flat-tailed Tortoise (Pyxis planicauda ) near Morondava in the west. These tortoises all grow seasonally and rather slowly, and this results in their growth annuli being very narrow, but remaining distinct and unabraded for decades. Radiated Tortoises have lived in captivity for as long as 130 years or more. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral

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Program Abstracts 2010

Traditional Uses of Freshwater Turtles in Bangladesh M.D. MAKSUDUR RAHMAN Centre for Advanced Research in Natural Resources & Management (CARINAM) 545, 11, Baitul Aman Housing Society, Adabor, Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207, BANGLADESH

Turtle meat is a delicacy in the diets of Hindu and Christian communities in Bangladesh because good turtle nesting sites are widespread and also due to past importance of turtle meat. The Hindu and Christian communities vernacularly call freshwater turtle meat 'aquatic mutton'. These communities believe that turtle meat can cure many different diseases. For example, gout may be cured by Peacock softshell turtle (Aspideretes hurum) meat, especially that of small Peacock softshell turtles. There is a saying that “if you eat meat from seven small Peacock softshell turtles on consecutive days you will be completely free of gout throughout your life.” Paralysis and dyspnoea may be cured by consuming Spotted Flapshell ( punctata andersoni) , Peacock softshell turtle (Aspideretes hurum), Bengal Eyed Turtle (Morenia petersi) , Roofed Turtle (Pangshura tecta) , Gangetic Softshell Turtle (Aspideretes gangeticus) , cantorii , Estuarine River Terrapin (Batagur baska) , Chitra indica , Hardella thurjii thurjii and other turtles. The ashes from the carapace of Bengal Eyed Turtle (Morenia petersi) , Roofed Turtle (Pangshura tecta) is mixed with coconut oil to make a paste which is used to treat cancer and eczema. They also believe that since the turtle is a long-lived animal, its meat carries natural elements which promote longevity. When the people of these communities are old, they desire to eat turtle meat. They think that if they eat turtle meat they will live long. So their relatives collect rare and expensive turtle meat to fulfill the old man's desire. Some believe that turtle meat has aphrodisiac properties and gives you a lot of energy for your activities. But now-a-days fresh water turtle populations have declined at an alarming rate primarily due to human-induced activities such as habitat destruction, use of tractors for plowing instead of a plow, using excessive fertilizer, diversion of water through dams like Farakkha dam in the upper riparian country, hunting turtles during the breeding season, egg collection, illegal trade, commercial exploitation of turtles from the wild and lack of awareness. These are only some of the reasons for the freshwater turtles to be upgraded to the endangered and critically endangered status. Poster Session

Evaluating Nest Protectors for Turtle Conservation: Unintended Consequences for the Hatchlings? 1 2 SHAHRIAR CAESAR RAHMAN AND RUSSELL BURKE 1Brooklyn College, 87-22 166 th St., Jamaica, NY 11432 USA 2Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead NY 11549 USA

Turtles are declining all over the world at alarming rates. Nest predation is commonly a big conservation issue in turtles all over the world. Urbanization and suburbanization have reduced natural turtle habitat and created good environments for turtle predators. Many scientists and conservationists depend on nest protectors/nest predator excluders to protect nests from predation. Various nest protector designs are used (e.g. wire mesh cages, plastic cages) and most of them are very successful against nest predators (e.g. raccoons, fox, crows, feral dogs). However, there are potentially negative impacts of nest protectors. Nest predator excluders (=nest protectors) are probably the most common and widely used tools for turtle conservation, and are probably used far more often than is reported Standard nest protectors may affect the incubation temperature of turtle eggs, which is potentially important because embryological development can be profoundly influenced by incubation temperature. Even a subtle change in incubation temperature caused by nest protectors can affect the sex ratio, growth, development, behavior and fitness of turtle hatchlings. Nest protection is commonly used to enhance hatchling recruitment into turtle populations, it is critical to determine whether nest protectors negatively impact the hatchlings in the nests they protect. In summer of 2009, I conducted an experiment at Jamaica Bay, New York, evaluating nest protectors of three different designs using diamondback terrapin ( Malaclemys terrapin ) nests as model. I located 48 terrapin nests and reburied them in pairs. In each pair one nest was protected and other was left uncovered. Simulated nests were constructed, adjacent to the real nests, to calculate the temperature difference caused by the metabolic heat of the eggs. Miniature temperature loggers were placed in all of the nests to record temperature for every hour June to August. Loggers were recovered in the fall and all the hatchlings were measured. Initial results indicate a significant difference in incubation temperature between the nests with metal box protectors and nest without protectors. The study will be continued in the summer of 2010 with larger sample. Poster Session

A Recent Survey of the Critically Endangered Central American River Turtle (Dermatemys mawii ) in Belize** 1 2 3 4 5 THOMAS RAINWATER , TOM POP , OCTAVIO CAL , STEVEN PLATT , RICK HUDSON 1619 Palmetto St., Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA; [[email protected]] 2Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE), P.O. Box 129 Punta Gorda, Toledo District, Belize District, BELIZE 8th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles | Orlando, Florida 34

Program Abstracts 2010

3Ya’axché Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 177, Punta Gorda, Toledo District, Belize. [[email protected]] 4Department of Biology, P.O. Box C-64, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas, 79832, USA 5Turtle Survival Alliance, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas, 76110, USA

The Central American River Turtle (Dermatemys mawii ) is a Critically Endangered chelonian historically found along the coastal lowlands of southern Mexico, northern Guatemala and Belize and is the lone surviving representative of the family . Due to years of intense harvesting for its meat, Dermatemys has been virtually eliminated from much of its former range in southern Mexico, while its status in Guatemala remains unclear. In Belize, a country-wide survey of Dermatemys in the early 1980s indicated that the species was still common to abundant in areas sparsely populated by humans but declining in more developed areas. Subsequent observations during the early and late 1990s suggested an acceleration of this trend, with unsustainable harvesting of Dermatemys coinciding with an increasing human population. During April and May 2010, we conducted another country-wide survey of Dermatemys in Belize, the first in 25 years, to assess its conservation status in what is believed to be its last stronghold. Consistent with previous surveys, we employed multiple survey methods including nocturnal spotlight searches, trammel netting, and diving. In addition, when possible we interviewed hunters, fishermen, and other knowledgeable individuals regarding the local occurrence of Dermatemys , hunting methods, and levels of exploitation. From 12 April through 31 May, we surveyed approximately 30 localities from deep southern to extreme northern Belize, including 18 areas previously surveyed during the early 1980s. Overall, results of the survey indicate Dermatemys is heavily depleted in most of Belize, but healthy populations remain in a few remote areas, especially those receiving some level of protection. While this mirrors the trend observed in surveys conducted during the 1980s and 1990s, the current findings are of particular concern because the number of localities where turtles were observed and the number of turtles observed at these localities were both much reduced compared to previous surveys. The occurrence of Dermatemys at multiple, previously unsurveyed localities in southern Belize is encouraging, but more comprehensive surveys of these and other areas are needed to more thoroughly assess the population status of Dermatemys in Belize. Central American River Turtles: Oral ** Supported by a Grant from the Turtle Conservation Fund

Ecology and Conservation of the Spider Tortoise, Pyxis arachnoides oblonga , at the Cap Sainte-Marie Special Reserve, Madagascar** 1 1 2 3 RIANA RAKOTONDRAINY , WILLIAM RONTO , CHRISTINA CASTELLANO , and SEAN DOODY 1Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Antananarivo, P.O Box 906, Antananarivo 101, MADAGASCAR [[email protected]] 2Threatened Species Unit, Healesville Sanctuary-Zoos Victoria, Healesville, VIC 3777, AUSTRALIA 3School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, AUSTRALIA

The Critically Endangered Madagascar Spider Tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides oblonga ) is experiencing drastic population declines throughout its range due to habitat destruction and collection for the international pet trade. The scarcity of information regarding the ecology of this species hinders the development of informed conservation strategies. One of this species last remaining strongholds is the Cap Sainte-Marie Special Reserve (CSMSR), which is located at the southern most point of the island and includes 1,750 ha of arid Spiny Forest. The CSMSR is famous for supporting one of the highest densities of tortoises (i.e., the Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata )) in the world. The present study has three primary objectives: 1) to examine the population demography and spatial ecology of P. a. oblonga at CSMSR; 2) compare population attributes, home range size and habitat use between P. a. oblonga and A. radiata , two sympatric species with very different life history traits; and, 3) investigate the nesting ecology and hatching success of P. a. oblonga . In February 2010, a mark- recapture study of the population was initiated and radio-transmitters were attached to 14 P. a. oblonga (7 males: 7 females) and six A. radiata (3males: 3 females). These individuals are being radio-tracked during both the wet and dry to determine if movements depend on season. The data collected during this study will be applied towards the development of both in situ and ex situ conservation strategies. In addition, National Park rangers will be trained in the field methodology to conduct a long-term monitoring program for both P. a. oblonga and A. radiata at this location. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral (Student) ** Supported by a Grant from the Turtle Conservation Fund

Community Perception of Illegal Harvesting of Astrochelys radiata and Pyxis arachnoides During and Before the Political Crisis in Arid Southern Madagascar: Some Critical Challenges and Potential Solutions TIANA RAMAHALEO AND MALIKA VIRAH -SAWMY WWF Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean Programme Office, MADAGASCAR [[email protected] ]

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Program Abstracts 2010

Radiated ( Astrochelys radiata ) and Spider Tortoises ( Pyxis arachnoides ) are two of the five endemic tortoises Madagascar harbors. The two species are confined to the dry, spiny forests of the southern parts of Madagascar and are sympatric across their range. Their survival is threatened by the collection for the bushmeat and international pet trades. Further, the recent political crisis appears to have exacerbated the bushmeat trade, which is possibly linked to a breakdown in law enforcement. However, critical information on the illegal collection is lacking. In order to investigate illegal collection, we interviewed 30 communities in localities where the two tortoises were relatively still abundant: the Plateau Mahafaly and the Androy-Anosy region. We investigated their perception of: 1) tortoise collection before and during the political crisis, 2) the rates at which tortoises are being collected, 3) the way in which collection was being undertaken or had changed (e.g. armed), and 4) why radiated tortoises were being hunted (for bushmeat or pet trade). The communities were chosen in regions where collections are known to be very high and in regions where tortoise populations are relatively well protected from illegal harvesting. Tortoise conservation depends on the direct involvement of communities, which are key in protecting, monitoring and providing intelligence information on trafficking. WWF promoted the establishment of community-managed new protected areas that still contain sizeable populations of endemic tortoises. Existing protected areas are also reinforced thanks to community-based management transfer system surrounding them. But many challenges remain since controls have always been sporadic depending on the availability of funding and most of those involved in law enforcement are themselves among the consumers of the tortoises. During our field surveys, communities were also asked on their perception of tortoises (e.g., on negative ‘’fady’’), the collection, and the key challenges and solutions to the problems of tortoise trafficking. Drawing on community responses, previous experiences and scientific evidence, a new action program on Radiated and Spider Tortoises was developed and is discussed here. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral

Health Assessments of Radiated Tortoises ( Astrochelys radiata ) in Madagascar BONNIE L. RAPHAEL Global Health Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460, USA [[email protected]]

Health assessments that consisted of physical exams, sample collection (blood, choanal and cloacal swabs, feces, ectoparasites, and nasal flushes), and weights and measurements were performed on 116 Radiated Tortoises during early spring 2010. Two free-ranging populations at Cap Sainte Marie and Lac Tsimanampetsotsa and one captive group at the Tortoise Village in Ifaty were evaluated. White blood cell counts, total solids, hematocrit determinations and fecal analysis were performed in the field. Swabs and nasal flushes that were brought back to the USA were screened via PCR for mycoplasma, herpesvirus, and ranavirus. Serum biochemical analysis and mycoplasma serology were also performed. The data obtained from this and a similar investigation, performed in 1999 will help inform pre-release protocols for future re- introductions and repatriations in order to protect the health of wild populations. Madagascar: Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral

Current Status of Soft Shelled Turtles in Bangladesh S. M. A. RASHID Centre for Advanced Research in Natural Resources & Management (CARINAM), Adabor, Dhaka-1207, BANGLADESH [[email protected]]

Among the six species of soft-shelled turtles found in Bangladesh only three species of soft-shelled turtles – Lissemys punctata, Aspideretes hurum, and A. gangeticus are often seen now-a-days while the other species are hardly met. In a recent market survey (Nov 2009 – July 2010) L. punctata was the most common (100%-all visits) among these three; A. hurum uncommon (50% of the visits); and A. gangeticus was rare (5% of the visits). Chitra indica has not been traded for more than 15 years; a couple or more Pelochelys cantorii get caught in fishing nets in a year; and A. nigricans is only confined to a shrine pond in Chittagong. This depicts the precarious situation of the soft shelled freshwater turtles in Bangladesh. This is also true globally for all the freshwater fauna whereby the rate of loss of freshwater species is six times higher than the terrestrial fauna. Lissemys punctata is adapted to a variety of habitats; A. hurum to stagnant wetlands and/or slow moving water and A. gangeticus to the riverine habitat. The ability of L. punctata to adapt to the various manmade and altered habitats may be a reason for its abundance while inability to withstand the land use changes, habitat alteration, and reduction in wetlands may be related to the decrease in A. hurum population. It seems that the freshwater turtles that are specialized in their feeding habits and occupied a narrow ecological niche are the ones most affected. In addition to unregulated collection of turtles including gravid females with negligible natural recruitment in the natural populations, reduced water flow from up-streams, wetland conversion, sand mining, unabated discharge of industrial effluent and water pollution are some of the major factors that have caused rapid decline in the natural populations of the soft-shelled freshwater turtles.

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Program Abstracts 2010

How long these turtles will be able to coupe such ‘human atrocities’ is a question of time unless some drastic rapid actions, including captive breeding and re-introduction, are taken to revive the natural populations. These initiatives may be successful when mitigating measures to address the threats are also implemented at the same time. Softshell Turtles: Oral

Freshwater Turtle Domestic Trade in Bangladesh - Current Practices and Impacts S. M. A. RASHID AND MAKSUDUR RAHMAN Centre for Advanced Research in Natural Resources & Management (CARINAM), Adabor, Dhaka-1207, BANGLADESH [[email protected]]

Bangladesh supported almost 10% (25 species) of the world’s known turtle species of which 5 marine, 2 land tortoises, 6 soft-shelled and the remaining 12 hard-shelled freshwater turtles. During the 1980s and 1990s intensive and unregulated collection for commercial export in the tune of millions of dollars has virtually destroyed the viable natural populations of all the turtle species. Commercial export has been banned since 1998 but the trend of collection has not changed but has decreased in magnitude. Turtle trade survey is a tool to assess the population status of the species; hence a survey was carried out on the turtle trade between November 2009 and July 2010. The numbers of collectors have reduced significantly since commercial export provided an opportunistic business and many people got involved in it but now the turtle trade is carried out by the people who were traditionally involved for several generations. The market however is controlled by businessmen who were involved with commercial export as suppliers or middleman. The trade network of suppliers is mostly confined within the people of the same clan or group and in extreme confidentiality. Turtles fetch money – people have known this very well. So every single turtle that is found is collected and sold for consumption. Turtle collection is consists of several stages – collectors/hunters (shikari), middlemen/supplier (mahajan), turtle/fish depot owners (wholesellers, aaratdar), supplier/retailer, local retailers and consumers. Often the same people play different roles in this trade chain. Collection is carried out all over Bangladesh and brought to the trading centers located in various locations of the country particularly the southern districts of Bangladesh. Turtles collected anywhere in Bangladesh reach the traders through their widespread but clandestine network and transported live. The middlemen/suppliers and depot owners offer advance money (locally called dadon) to the collectors. The survey also showed that due to lack of supply of freshwater turtles to meet the local demand, marine turtles have also become a commodity to supplement the domestic trade. Domestic trade is putting the last pegs to the freshwater turtle’s coffin in Bangladesh. The most common species involved in domestic trade include – Lissemys punctata andersoni , Pangshura tecta , Morenia petersi , Aspideretes hurum and Aspideretes gangeticus . The number of species is significantly low compared to the 17 freshwater turtle species traded in the late 80s and early 1990s. This suggests that the diversity of the natural populations of freshwater turtles is primarily affected due to unregulated capture from the nature in addition to other factors of habitat destruction, land use change, and pollution. International export of live turtles is banned but the soft cartilage of the soft- shelled turtles is dried and exported labeled as dry fish to Far Eastern countries. Bangladesh also plays the role of transit for the illegal shipments of soft-shell turtle cartilage from India. Captive Husbandry: Oral

Repatriated Malagasy Tortoises Contribute to Their Survival LÉON A. RAZAFINDRAKOTO Association Salamandra Nature, 6 Rue Martin Luther King, 97311 Roura, FRENCH GUIANA [[email protected]]

The Salamandra Nature association, which is supported by SOPTOM and works in collaboration with the Brigade Nature/Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage (ONCFS) in Mayotte, aims to repatriate Malagasy tortoises seized in this French archipelago. Two repatriation operations have occurred in two years. In January 2008, Salamandra Nature was able to transfer 19 Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata ) and one Spider Tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides ) to the Station d’Observation et de Sauvegarde des Tortues (SOS Tortues) or Village de tortues in Mangily-Ifaty. Eleven Spider Tortoises were later repatriated in February/March 2010. Each operation is associated with a campaign of raising awareness and sharing information through radio, television, and newspaper articles in Mayotte and Madagascar to help fight against the illicit traffic of Madagascan tortoises. The transfer of the tortoises this year coincided with the International Year of Biodiversity. Salamandra Nature also made a 15-minute documentary, which will be broadcast on Air Madagascar flights, that describes the return of tortoises seized in Mayotte, and the care that they received, and the scientific follow-up conducted in Mangily-Ifaty. This documentary will also be broadcast in the Malagasy language in schools of the Southwest region and national territory. This project also includes concrete actions to help reduce the illegal traffic of tortoises. It is important to collaborate with other NGOs and Malagasy institutions, the Brigade Nature, forest agents and National Parks in southern

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Program Abstracts 2010

Madagascar, customs officers, the gendarmes, as well as, the relevant services in the Archipelago of Comoros and Mauritius Islands to develop a common action plan. It is also important to recognize that the illegal export of tortoises to the archipelago takes place by sea. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral

Do Turtles and Fish Act as an Ecological Metacommunity? Species Assemblage and Community Structuring Among Ectothermic, Aquatic Vertebrates 1 1 1 2 J. DAREN RIEDLE , RICHARD T. KAZMAIER , TREY B. BARRON , AND WES LITTERELL 1Life, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX 79015 USA 2 Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area, Tennessee Colony, TX 75861 USA [[email protected]]

A metacommunity is defined as a set of local assemblages linked by dispersal of multiple, interacting species. Because and aquatic turtles appear to react similarly to hydrologic conditions, one might assume that the environmental gradients important to one taxa would be similar to that of the other. However, efforts to simultaneously examine both fish and turtles within the same community are scarce. We sampled turtle populations at Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area, Anderson Co., TX, between 2007-2009, using a wide variety of net gear and bait types. At each net we collected a suite of habitat data. We sampled for 1,084 net nights, making 481 captures of 8 species of turtles. In addition, we made 2,650 captures of 31 species of fishes. Using Detrended Correspondence Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis we combined species scores for turtles and fishes with environmental variables to determine dimensions important to dictating turtle community structure, and how turtle community structure compared to that of fishes. Turtles segregated along both a flow and a substrate/vegetative gradient. When fishes were included in the analysis, there was a decrease in species richness with increasing distance from creek and backwater habitat. These observations are consistent with the idea that seasonal flooding is important in maintaining diversity within aquatic habitats at this site. Our results suggest that turtles and fish do constitute a metacommunity, and both taxa should be considered simultaneously when implementing management decisions for aquatic habitats. Community Ecology of Turtles: Oral (Student)

Studying Dogania subplana in Captivity, Including Reproduction WALTER SACHSSE Institute of Molecular Genetics, University, D-55099 Mainz, GERMANY [[email protected]]

Among Trionychid turtles, Dogania subplana is a small species (roughly 20-30cm), but in comparison with the genera Pelodiscus and Apalone it is bulkier, also with a big head. It has a wide distribution in South East Asia sympatric with many other softshells. It inhabits small rivers and streams; in about 20 years ago Dogania made about 7% of the whole catch of turtles (Peter Paul van Dijk). More than 20 years ago I incidentally received four young specimens of around 10cm CL. They were brought up separately at temperatures of 22 to 26°C, fed with gelatine preparation, and dead laboratory mice. Great care is always necessary to prevent infections with septicemia in softshells; often this is unexpected for their immune status. Sexing is very difficult in Dogania , even in adults; at a CL 20cm I eventually could observe an erection in the two males; they grow in general larger than the females. Placing a male into the aquarium of a female in spring there were no aggressions, but occasional copulations; I left them for four weeks. During the following months, the female deposited four clutches of four to seven spherical, brittle eggs that hatched after about three months up to 100%. The young had to be reared in separate containers with a layer of fine sand about double of their height. They were always very pugnacious, beginning with eating their embryonic membranes each other including remains of the yolk sac. Since especially in reptiles the regulations of release are far behind reality - also the beginnings! I had to provide all interested people in Europe and also a few in the United States with young Dogania subplana . But the "market" for such an animal species is very soon saturated (IUCN Red List LR/lc ver 2.3. 1994). During this time, an animal dealer, more specialised on birds, lent me for three months a white Dogania (since white animals in Eastern Asia make unaffordable prices!), a female. A normal male tried to mate, but without reproductive success. This specimen was not an albino, the details will be shown beside aspects of the usual Dogania by slides. In the University Hospital we did ophthalmoscopy on the turtle which showed a strange background with a strong suspicion of blindness; this was supported by the decreased defence behaviour. Later on I heard several observations from travelling herpetologists, e.g. on Tioman (). Beside that, I keep a specimen resembling Dogania , but collected in New Guinea; no classification so far possible. Softshell Turtles: Oral

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Program Abstracts 2010

Physiological Plasticity of Yellow Mud Turtles ( Kinosternon flavescens ) During Hibernation TY SANDERS AND DAY B. LIGON Department of Biology, Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri, 65897USA [[email protected]]

Global warming is expected to increase stochasticity and geographical distributions of climate patterns. The extent to which a particular species will be affected by is, in part, dependent upon individuals’ ability to physiologically or behaviorally compensate for environmental change. Species that hibernate during the winter months are particularly susceptible to range contractions due to the fact that they do not migrate to warmer areas, which would allow for greater behavioral flexibility to cope with changes in climate. For hibernating species that rely on low temperatures to maintain a low metabolic rate during winter, unseasonably warm conditions can have dramatic detrimental effects. Therefore, physiological plasticity in such species could become vitally important to their survival during winter months. We assessed the degree to which hibernating yellow mud turtles (Kinosternon flavescens ) are affected by warming winter temperatures. To assess physiological capacity to tolerate variable winter conditions we compared energy consumption rates and blood chemistry profiles between a group of turtles hibernating at actual winter temperatures and another group maintained at artificially warm temperatures over a six-month period. Our results indicate that yellow mud turtles that experience unseasonably warm winters are behaviorally disinclined to hibernate and achieve anhomeostatic conditions quickly. Poster Session

Examining Dietary Preferences in Manouria with Comments on Olfactory and Visual Clues: A Behavioral Analysis of Food Selection RICK SCHAFFER Stanton College Preparatory School, Jacksonville, Florida USA [[email protected]]

Manouria emys is an endangered Southeast Asian tortoise quickly disappearing from the wild. In an ex-situ assurance colony management and in-range rescue center maintenance (confiscated tortoises from the illegal food trade) depends upon many factors, one of the most important of which is caloric intake. Since only anecdotal information regarding dietary preference exists, this study, involving 51 M. emys of the two subspecies (22 M. e. emys and 29 M. e. phayrei ) and 918 total individual trials, attempts to quantify this facet. The trials took place in four stages including a pilot study (determine relative food preference to be evaluated in subsequent stages), straight food preference (direct evaluation of preferred foods), visual discrimination (determining the influence of sight; foods were mingled for one day to eliminate distinct odors), and olfactory cues (determining the influence of smell; foods were of a uniform color (red) to lessen visual cues) governing food choices. Cohort preference (influence of age in dietary habits) was also evaluated. In trial procedures, tortoises were placed individually on neutral gray surfaces with three different foods (rotated positions in subsequent trials) two carapace lengths away in direct line-of-sight. The first food chosen was recorded. If nothing was chosen in three minutes, “no choice” was entered. If tortoises turned completely away, they were re-placed facing the food. With a second occurrence of this for the same tortoise, “no choice” was recorded. Of the 18 different items in the pilot study, the top five choices were Xanthoma, chosen in 40 of 51 trials (78.43%), followed by corn (33/51, 64.71%), banana (29/51, 56.86%), mushrooms and papaya (tie- 28/51, 54.90%) respectively. Aroids are controversial as a food source due to calcium oxalate content, so were excluded, as was papaya, with fruits already represented. Straight food preference trials revealed corn as most popular (116/249, 46.59%), followed by mushrooms (58/249, 23.29%), and bananas (37/249, 19.61%). In visual and olfactory discrimination trials, corn was chosen most often (48/153, 31.37%). However, in visual and olfactory trials, there were increased “no preference” occurrences (visual-82/153, 53.59% and olfactory-65/153, 42.48%) versus straight food preference (38/51, 15.26%), indicating that it did influence selection. Captive Husbandry: Oral (Student)

Seasonal Variation of Corticosterone Levels in Graptemys flavimaculata , an Imperiled Freshwater Turtle 1, 2 1 1 WILL SELMAN , JODIE JAWOR , AND CARL QUALLS 1Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406 USA 2Current Address: Rockefeller Refuge, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 5476 Grand Chenier Hwy, Grand Chenier, Louisiana 70643 USA [[email protected]]

The function of glucocorticoids within vertebrates is extremely variable across taxa. They are primarily associated with the response of individuals to a stressor, either environmental, physiological, and/or anthropogenic; however, glucocorticoids also function in daily energy utilization. Currently, little information is known about the seasonal corticosterone (CORT) levels, either baseline or stress response, within freshwater turtles. Therefore, we conducted a study with a species of freshwater turtle, Graptemys flavimaculata , to determine seasonal baseline and stress response CORT levels. We captured male/female turtles during the months of April-October during 2007 and 2008. After capture, we collected an initial blood

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Program Abstracts 2010 sample, confined the turtle for 35 minutes, and then took a second blood sample. Thereafter, a competitive binding radioimmunoassay was done to determine CORT levels. Time zero levels for both sexes were generally lower than reported levels for other turtle species and by time 35, CORT levels were significantly elevated relative to our initial levels. Seasonal differences, both baseline and time 35 CORT levels, were detected among the sexes, likely attributable to the differences in reproductive demands across the seasons. For females, time 35 levels were considerably dampened during the nesting season, while time 35 levels for males were dampened during and spermiogenesis. Since little is known about seasonal CORT levels in turtles, this study provides novel information and insight into the differences in seasonal physiological demands for these species. Poster Session (Student)

Molecular Markers for Turtle Conservation, with an Application to the , Emys ( ) marmorata H. BRADLEY SHAFFER , ROBERT C. THOMSON , PHILLIP Q. SPINKS Department of Evolution and Ecology, and Center for Population Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA [[email protected]]

As molecular systematics and population genetics have matured as disciplines, it has become increasingly clear that the strongest conclusions will result when multiple, independent genetic markers are applied to groups of organisms. During the last several years, our lab has actively developed a series of molecular markers and tested them across a broad collection of turtle and tortoise species. We have developed and tested 167 nuclear primer pairs across all turtle families, and approximately 100 of these produce single banded PCR products and clean sequences for many taxa. Many of these nuclear markers evolve at different rates, making some particularly appropriate for species discovery and molecular population studies, while others are more appropriate for deeper phylogenetic questions. We have also developed an additional set of 96 primer pairs specifically for work on the western US endemic species Emys (Actinemys) marmorata . Here, we discuss some of the patterns of variation in these markers, and illustrate the kinds of insights that can be gained based on our work on Emys marmorata . Analyses of five nuclear genes and mitochondrial DNA from rangewide sampling clearly identify two well- supported clades that are roughly, but not precisely coincident with the traditional subspecies E. m. marmorata and E. m. pallida with a broad area of introgression in central coastal California. Because of this intergrade zone, we have refrained from elevating marmorata and pallida to full species, although this may ultimately be appropriate. Our fine-scale analyses of an additional 96 independent markers for approximately 1000 turtles indicates that the greatest genetic variation is between Emys populations from the extreme southern portion of the range, with the Baja California, Mexico populations showing strong genetic divergence from all others. More generally, we hope that members of the TSA community can adopt these markers for similar work on threatened turtles where molecular genetics is an appropriate conservation tool. Chelonian Conservation: Oral

Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii ) Demography and Dispersal at a Fen Complex in Eastern New York KEVIN SHOEMAKER AND JAMES GIBBS Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY, USA [[email protected]]

The bog turtle ( Glyptemys muhlenbergii ) is a threatened species of the eastern United States that inhabits shallow, open- canopy wetlands. Although radiotelemetry studies have shed substantial light on local habitat use patterns, our understanding of bog turtle demography and life history parameters has lagged behind. For ten years, researchers have built a capture history database for this species at a complex (n = 4) of small fens (average of approx. 1.5 ha) in eastern New York. We have developed an integrated Bayesian model for estimating key demographic parameters for bog turtles (e.g., population size, survival and recruitment) using this growing capture history database. Our preliminary results indicate that this bog turtle metapopulation is not experiencing a rapid decline and probably does not face a high extinction risk over the short term. Our results also indicate that a healthy bog turtle population should have a relatively high rate of juvenile survival (approx. 70%), an adult survival rate of approximately 95% and a juvenile/adult ratio of approximately 0.6 to 0.7. During this 10-year study no marked turtles were relocated outside their fen of origin despite the proximity of neighboring fens (between 0.3 and 1 km), suggesting dispersal rates among wetlands are very low. We intend to assess the potential demographic consequences of bog turtle dispersal using a stochastic meta-population simulation model, with dispersal rates informed from a population genetics study. Ultimately, we hope to use our results and models to inform conservation strategies and reserve design for bog turtles. Poster Session (Student)

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Five Years of Conserving Large River Turtles in India 1, 2 3 1, 2 4, 2 SHAILENDRA SINGH , BRIAN D. HORNE , ASHUTOSH TRIPATHI AND R.K. SHARMA 1Centre for Herpetology, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, INDIA [[email protected]] 2Turtle Survival Alliance, India Program INDIA [[email protected]] 3Inst for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoological Society, USA [[email protected]] 4Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, INDIA [[email protected]]

We have been conducting the conservation program for the recovery of various endangered freshwater riverine turtles of India mainly the Red Crowned Roofed turtle ( Batagur ), Three striped Roofed Turtle ( Batagur dhongoka ) and River Terrapin ( Batagur baska ) etc listed in the Conservation Action Plan for endangered turtles and tortoises of India under the aegis of TSA-MCBT Indian Turtle Conservation Program. This communication discusses the possible reasons for their endangerment and also our five years efforts of conservation through research, recovery, education and community participation. This communication also looks into our conservation planning of these turtle species in the coming years to ensure their survival into the future. Chelonian Conservation: Oral

Indian Turtle Conservation Program 1, 2 3 2 SHAILENDRA SINGH , BRIAN D HORNE AND RICK HUDSON 1Centre for Herpetology, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust2, INDIA [[email protected]] 2Turtle Survival Alliance, Fort Worth Zoo, USA [[email protected]] 3San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research, USA [[email protected]]

Under the aegis of the Turtle Survival Alliance and Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, we began implementing the “Conservation Action Plan for Endangered Turtles and Tortoises.” Our first project targeted conserving the Red Crowned Roofed Turtle, (Batagur kachuga ) in the National Chambal Sanctuary. Encouraged by the success of this initiative and with the generous support of other like-minded international and national conservation agencies, we now have expanded our conservation activities to cover five additional endangered turtle species (i.e., Batagur baska , Batagur dhongoka , Chitra indica , Nilssonia nigricans , Pangshura sylhetensis ). We have rebranded our expanded efforts as the “Indian Turtle Conservation Program”. Our conservation approach involves natural history research, recovery efforts, education and community participation. Recently we identified five priority areas across India for turtle conservation. These areas include our current projects in the Chambal River and Upper Ganges River System (Central India) as well as the Terai Region (Northern India), the state of Assam (Northeast India), the Sunderbans of West Bengal and the state of Orissa (Eastern India), and the Western Ghats and the state of Tamilnadu (Southern India). This communication will elaborate on the achievements of the Indian Turtle Conservation Program and provide insights on the strategic conservation planning for Indian freshwater turtles. Poster Session

The Population Ecology of a Headstart Supplemented Population of Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin ) at the Poplar Island Environmental Restoration Project in the Middle Chesapeake Bay 1 2 NICHOLAS A. SMEENK AND WILLEM M. ROOSENBURG 1Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, Program in Environmental Studies, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, USA 2Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, USA [[email protected]]

The efficacy of headstarting programs to supplement populations of long-lived, late-maturing organisms is unknown. Despite this fact, headstarting programs have been criticized for not addressing or mitigating the initial causes for population declines. Over the last five years, 642 diamondback terrapin ( Malaclemys terrapin ) hatchlings were headstarted and released at the Poplar Island Environmental Restoration Project (PIERP) in the Middle Chesapeake Bay. I conducted a mark-recapture study to determine the effectiveness of headstarting in this population. I trapped terrapins using fyke nets and tall crab pots placed around the Poplar Island Archipelago. Captured terrapins were tagged and I recorded morphometrics, mass, sex, and age. I compared the PIERP population to a 23 year mark-recapture study in the Patuxent River (PR) of a non-headstart supplemented population where data were collected in the same manner and commercial crab fishing does not occur. The sex ratio of the PIERP population was highly female biased (9:1).There was no difference in shapes of the size or age distributions among the two populations, with both skewed toward larger and older individuals; however, the PR population had nearly double the proportion of individuals with a plastron length between 80-120 mm. I estimated the population size at PIERP to be 204-406 individuals and a stage-structured Leftkovich matrix population model indicated that the PIERP is declining ( λ=0.940). Modeling further suggested that based on current headstarting rates, the PIERP population should be

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Program Abstracts 2010 increasing ( λ=1.07). The low population growth rate and similarities between the PIERP and PR populations suggest that headstarting is not increasing hatchling and juvenile survival. I suggest that the lack of juvenile and male turtles (i.e. individuals with a PL between 80-120 mm) in the PIERP population and ineffectiveness of headstarting are caused by differential mortality of these groups due to bycatch in crab pots and support the conclusion that headstarting is a “halfway technology” that does not address the initial causes for population declines. I recommend that headstarting not be considered a viable management strategy until mortality caused by crab pot bycatch is resolved through the use of bycatch reduction devices and spatial restrictions on commercial crab pots. Chelonian Conservation: Oral (Student)

An Evaluation of Line Transect Distance Sampling for Large Scale Gopher Tortoise Surveys 1 1 1 2 3 LORA L. SMITH , M. STOBER , JENNIFER M. LINEHAN , MATT J. ELLIOTT , AND JOHN B. JENSEN 1Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, 3988 Jones Center Dr., Newton, GA, 39870, USA [[email protected]] 2Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Nongame Conservation Section, 2065 US Highway 278 SE, Social Circle, GA 30025, USA 3Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Nongame Conservation Section, 116 Rum Creek Drive, Forsyth, GA 31029, USA

Gopher tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus ) populations are threatened by habitat loss across the southeastern U.S. Management and conservation of the species has been hindered by the lack of population monitoring data. Recent studies have demonstrated that line transect distance sampling (LTDS) is efficient for estimating population parameters for gopher tortoises, yet this method has not yet gained wide-spread acceptance. We attempted to use LTDS to survey gopher tortoise populations on 20 protected areas across southern Georgia, USA in 2007 and 2008. We used a camera system to determine burrow occupancy at each site. The survey data were used to compare population estimates derived using LTDS (with burrow scoping) to estimates obtained with survey methods recommended in the 2007 Florida Gopher Tortoise Management Plan: area-constrained surveys of 15% of suitable habitat and a standard 50% burrow occupancy. LTDS estimates of tortoise population density ranged from 0.21 ± 0.04 tortoises/ha at Ohoopee Dunes Natural Area to 1.65 ± 0.37 tortoises/ha at General Coffee State Park. Distance sampling was generally very efficient and we obtained estimates of population size and density at 13 of the 20 sites. The method was much less efficient at sites with extremely low tortoise densities, and at sites where the survey area was poorly defined. Under the former circumstance, LTDS sampling would have required 88-1318 km of transect per site, which was beyond the scope of our overall project. In the latter circumstance additional ground-truthing of the habitat would have been necessary. Hence, we reported only the tortoise encounter rate and burrow occupancy estimates for these sites. Population estimates obtained with area-constrained surveys and a 50% burrow occupancy rate differed by as much as 114% from those obtained with LTDS and occupancy estimates based on burrow scoping. Survey Methods for Terrestrial Turtles/Tortoises: Oral

The Range of a Disjunct Population of Ouachita Map Turtles (Graptemys o. ouachitensis ) in West Virginia JAMES H. STANTON , AARON C. GOOLEY , AND THOMAS K . PAULEY Department of Biology, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia USA [[email protected]]

The ( Graptemys o. ouachitensis ) is believed to occur as a disjunct population in West Virginia; however, the extent and viability of this population is not known. Until 2009, there were only two confirmed Ouachita Map Turtles from West Virginia, one captured in the Little Kanawha River in 1953 and a second (a male) captured in the lower Kanawha River during systematic trapping of the Kanawha River in 2006. In the summer of 2009, a female was observed basking on the lower Kanawha River providing further evidence for a population in West Virginia. To investigate the range extent of the population of Ouachita Map Turtles in West Virginia, we conducted visual surveys for basking turtles and employed modified basking traps on the Little Kanawha and Kanawha rivers during the summer of 2010. When possible, photographs of basking individuals were taken. Captured individuals were measured, weighed, and photographed. DNA samples were taken from captured individuals and deposited at Marshall University. As of the 14 of June, 15 individuals have been observed below the Winfield Locks on the Kanawha River, and no individuals have been observed above the locks. This may be explained by distinct habitat differences between the two areas. Poster Session (Student)

Niche Conservatism and Community Structure in the Emydid Turtle Assemblages of Eastern North America PATRICK R. STEPHENS University of Georgia, Odum School of Ecology, Athens GA 30602 USA [[email protected]]

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Program Abstracts 2010

Emydid turtle assemblages in eastern North America exhibit a striking latitudinal gradient in community structure, with southern assemblages containing a much higher proportion of aquatic species than northern assemblages. This pattern is related to phylogenetic trends in the geographic distribution and ecology of emydids. Specifically, the pattern can be attributed to the failure of semi-terrestrial emydine emydids to disperse into southern communities. To determine why these semi-terrestrial emydines have failed to disperse into southern communities, two hypotheses were tested: (1) competitive interactions with southern endemic species exclude the northern semi-terrestrial species from southern communities, (2) phylogenetically conserved climatic tolerances (i.e., niche conservatism) prevent the northern semi-terrestrial species from dispersing south. Based on a geographic approximation of the “natural experiments” approach, there is little evidence for competitive exclusion by southern endemic emydids or other vertebrate species that might be expected to compete for resources with the northern semi-terrestrial species. Conversely, both GIS niche modeling and physiological data support the hypothesis that the failure of semi-terrestrial emydines to disperse into southern communities is related to niche conservatism. Community Ecology of Turtles: Oral

Tortoise Population Estimates at the Extremes 1 2 JONATHAN M. STOBER AND LORA L. SMITH 1Shoal Creek Ranger District Talladega National Forest, 45 Hwy 281, Heflin, AL 36246, USA 2Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, 3988 Jones Center Dr., Newton, GA, 39870, USA [[email protected]]

Status and trends of gopher tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus ) populations are a critical information need for natural resource managers, researchers, and policy makers. Tortoise population estimates can be derived using line transects and burrow scoping with Program Distance for moderate to high density populations. However, model building for population estimates is often constrained by sample size, requiring a minimum of ~60 observations to obtain an appropriate level of measured confidence. Some tortoise populations occur at low densities at a small spatial extent, while others occur at low densities over areas of large spatial extent. When deriving population estimates on low density populations several sampling strategies can be employed to achieve appropriate sample size to model and estimate populations. We review three case studies that addressed different scenarios: 1) an extremely small tortoise population on a small property (40ha); 2) an extremely low density population on a large property (>7000 ha); and 3) a moderately dense population that was post-stratified based on habitat characteristics. Repeated surveys and pooling observations allowed sufficient detections of tortoises for a population estimate at a small population on a small site. A modified circuit design and cluster analysis of all inhabitable burrows allowed model development for a low density population on a large property. For management purposes, surveys can be designed so that post-stratification by habitat type or land-use can later be used to examine the relative densities of tortoise populations. These various techniques demonstrate that line transect distance sampling has a robust ability to derive population estimates under the most extreme conditions. Survey Methods for Terrestrial Turtles/Tortoises: Oral

Winter Patterns of Habitat Use by Adult Florida Snapping Turtles ( Chelydra serpentina osceola ) in a Northern Florida Spring-Fed Blackwater Stream 1 2 2 3 ERIC SUAREZ , MATT KAIL , GERALD JOHNSTON , STEVE JOHNSON 1University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA 2Santa Fe College, Gainesville, FL USA, 3University of Florida Gulf Coast REC--Plant City Center, Plant City, FL, USA [[email protected]]

The ( Chelydra serpentina ) has been well-studied in the northern part of its range, but little work has been done in the southern part of its range. Less work has been conducted on the Florida Snapping Turtle ( C. s. osceola ). This turtle occurs in a wide variety of lentic and lotic aquatic habitats, but there are no published studies of C. s. osceola in lotic habitats. The Santa Fe River in northern Florida exhibits seasonal temperature fluctuations (14.7 ⁰C – 25.3 ⁰C), but is fed by dozens of thermally stable springs (22.2 ⁰C). Our objective is to study how this turtle uses these habitats. We specifically address the question “How does temperature affect habitat use by C. s. osceola during the winter?” Our null hypothesis is that C. s. osceola uses spring and river habitats equally throughout the winter. An alternative hypothesis is that C. s. osceola selects the spring habitat during the winter because it provides the highest available temperature. To test these hypotheses we attached temperature sensitive dataloggers (ibuttons) and radio transmitters to free ranging turtles (n= 8 adult males, 4 adult females), distributed ibuttons throughout the study site, and evaluated the locations of the turtles relative to the thermally variable environment. Each turtle was tracked as frequently as possible for three months in the winter (November- January). The null hypothesis was accepted for four individuals, but rejected for four individuals. Three other individuals

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Program Abstracts 2010 occurred primarily in habitats other than springs or river (e.g. beaver dens). Data suggest that C. s. osceola do not select the highest available temperature during the winter within this system. Thermal activity ranged from 15.4 ⁰C - 23.0 ⁰C. We conclude that temperature is not the only factor affecting habitat use. There was large variation in behavior among individuals, requiring analysis on an individual bases. This study provides preliminary data on the behavior patterns of C. s. osceola in a lotic system during the winter. This study is ongoing and will continue through summer 2011 to address seasonal patterns of behavior. Poster Session (Student)

Home Range, Movements and Population Structure of the Big-headed Terrapin (Platysternon megacephalum ) in Hong Kong YIK -HEI SUNG , NANCY E. KARRAKER AND BILLY CHI -HANG HAU School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, CHINA [[email protected]]

The big-headed terrapin ( Platysternon megacephalum ) is regularly recorded in the wildlife trade in China and Hong Kong, and it is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Although this species is protected in Hong Kong, illegal trapping is frequently observed in occupied streams. Given existing pressures on populations and the rarity of this species in mainland China, there is an urgent need to understand the ecology of this poorly-known species. We aim to determine the home range, movement and population structure by regular surveys using radio-telemetry and mark-recapture techniques. Fourteen individuals including eight males and four females have been radio-tracked in two streams weekly for two months to eight months. From preliminary data, there was no significant difference in distances moved by males (2.3 m/day) and females (0.9 m/day), and there was considerable overlap of home ranges among individuals. Regular surveys were conducted to examine the population density, juvenile to adult ratio, and sex ratio in five streams in Hong Kong. Turtles captured were marked and measured. To date, we have recorded 62 captures of 51 individuals. Average population density was estimated as 29.5/km + 8.1 (+SD) of stream with a sex ratio of 1.1 males: 1 female and adult to juvenile ratio of 2:1. In one of the study streams, it was observed that larger adults were missing in the population which was possibly caused by previous illegal trapping activities. Long-term monitoring of the population of this species is essential to detect any long-term and immediate effects of illegal collection. The information obtained through this study will allow us to develop a plan that will aid local conservation efforts by determining population status and identifying the most pressing threats in Hong Kong. Chelonians of East Asia : Oral (Student)

Low Levels of Genetic Structure Between Populations of the Critically Endangered, Central American River Turtle. Have Humans Influenced Their Current Patterns of Genetic Diversity?** 1, 2 1 1 GRACIA P. SYED , FRANK HAILER AND JESUS E. MALDONADO 1Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, Smithsonian Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC USA [[email protected]] 2Museo de Zoología Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, MEXICO

We conducted a phylogeographic analysis of the Central American River Turtle, Dermatemys mawii , as part of a conservation management program for the species. In the course of our investigations, we took samples from 238 D. mawii individuals from 15 different localities throughout the species range. We sequenced fragments of the mt-DNA Cytochrome b and ND4 genes and identified 16 different haplotypes. Our results revealed very low levels of phylogeographic structure among these populations, and the star-shaped arrangement of haplotypes derived from a TCS network suggests that most populations of D. mawii have undergone a recent demographic expansion (although, we also found two populations that exhibit up to 2% sequence divergence between haplotypes suggesting an earlier date of divergence for these populations). Coalescent analysis of our mtDNA haplotypes suggest that most of the populations diverge in the late Pleistocene (16-20 Kya). Our work indicates that the species has undergone demographic expansions and contractions over time. In addition, our work suggests that human activity, for example over –harvesting and long distance transport of the animal may have influenced these expansions and contractions. For centuries, D. mawii has been consumed by the ancient Mayans and other Middle American cultures, and the archeological record shows evidence that humans transported them between villages and far away from their natural range of distribution. Therefore, the unusual patterns of haplotype distribution, the low haplotype diversity in some populations and the lack of phylogeographic concordance that we observed could be due to a combination of population expansions, gene flow, and the recent human-mediated-movements and bottlenecks created by over-hunting. Central American River Turtles: Oral (Student) ** Supported by a Grant from the Turtle Conservation Fund

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Program Abstracts 2010

Regular Captive Breeding of Pan’s Box Turtle – Cuora pani (Song, 1984) and the Golden Headed Box Turtle Cuora aurocapitata (Luo & Zong, 1988) Even in F2 Generation with Notes on the Species Husbandry MARKUS R. THEILER 5712 Beinwill am See, SWITZERLAND [[email protected]]

Pan’s box turtle is a pretty, although not particularly conspicuously colored and was described only 26 years ago. The species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN and is basically unstudied in nature and (thus) poorly known with only a few hundred specimens appearing in the trade and even less kept alive in captivity today. According to the few studies about this species, it inhabits fast flowing streams in the mountainous regions of the central Chinese provinces of Shaanxi, Sichuan, Hubei, Gansu and Chongqing. The golden-headed box turtle is one of the rarest and most valuable species of Cuora only found in the mountainous regions of southern Anhui province, China, listed as critically endangered by the IUCN and according to recent studies numbering less than 400 specimens in the wild, with less than half of this number in captive collections. In the last few years, several studies implicated, that this species inhabits mountain streams. Males of both species can reach 11 to 14cm and females 12-18cm SCL with a weight of 250 to 800g. Males are flatter and smaller than females. Both species are morphologically very similar to each other and it is believed by some that both are subspecies of Cuora pani . Initial genetic studies substantiated this, however recent genetic studies tell the opposite. Groups of adult and juvenile Cuora aurocapitata and Cuora pani were imported in the years 1999 and 2000. Initially, some specimens were kept separately and others in small groups. In 2001, the animals were moved into a 200m² greenhouse offering more space. The adult females are kept in aquaria measuring 100x50x50cm, with a water level of 30-40cm and the males separated by each other in aquaria measuring 80x40x40cm. Sexes are only being associated for a short breeding period in spring and autumn. The adult specimens are hibernated at 4°C for five months. While Cuora aurocapitata was already reproduced in captivity in 1991 for the first time, it did not happen until 1997 that Cuora pani was reproduced in captivity. However, both species are rather not constantly bred by most keepers of this species, especially true for the latter. First successful oviposition by the author occurred in 2001, with the first hatchling leaving its egg in both species. While Cuora pani was subsequently bred regularly every year since in increasing number, the only male Cuora aurocapitata died soon after producing its first offspring. Consequently, a juvenile F1 Cuora aurocapitata male was obtained in 2005. This male reached maturity in 2008 and successfully mated the females. Most of the subsequently deposited clutches proofed to be fertile and in 2008, the author’s first hatchling from 2001, which turned into a female, deposited its first clutch from which two hatchlings emerging from their eggs in autumn. Two to six eggs are deposited per clutch, with no apparent relation between numbers and site of the female. The juveniles of both species are raised in small plastic containers, 30x40cm in site with a water level of 3-7cm. During their first months, they are fed exclusively with Dorswal baby food for aquatic turtles, afterwards, earth worms and baby mice are added to their diet. Until today, 22 surviving Cuora pani hatchlings have been bred under these conditions. On the Brink, the Genus Cuora: Oral

Long-term Fidelity to Overwintering Sites by Eastern Box Turtles ( Terrapene carolina carolina) in South Carolina TRACEY D. TUBERVILLE , BESS B. HARRIS , AND I. LEHR BRISBIN , JR. University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Lab, Aiken, SC 29802, USA [[email protected]]

The eastern box turtle ( Terrapene carolina carolina) has a wide distribution across the eastern United States—southern Maine through Georgia and west to the —and therefore occurs across a wide range of climatic conditions. Most eastern box turtles throughout the range exhibit winter dormancy, spending up to 50% of each year inactive in northern climates and about 30% of the year inactive in South Carolina. Thus, the winter dormancy period can be a critical component of the species’ annual cycle. Continued persistence of box turtle populations may be dependent to some degree on individuals being able to reliably locate suitable overwintering sites. We report data on overwintering site selection and fidelity exhibited by radio-telemetered eastern box turtles during a long-term study conducted in an urban forest preserve (Hitchcock Woods) in Aiken, South Carolina. Ten turtles (four females, six males) that were tracked for at least 5 years (mean = 11.8 yrs, range = 5-20 years) during the 20+ year study were included in our analyses. The locations of 118 overwintering sites were recorded using GPS and subsequently analyzed using GIS. Most overwintering sites were placed on steep, northeast facing slopes within the closed-canopy mature forest that dominates the preserve. Several individuals demonstrated fidelity to overwintering sites, even when overwintering sites were not located within areas used during the active season. Females generally showed greater fidelity to overwintering areas than males based on the shorter distances between distinct overwintering locations and the smaller footprint of their collective set of overwintering sites. In addition, we documented several occasions of individuals using the exact same overwintering site as in previous (although not necessarily consecutive) years. Multi-year monitoring of individuals revealed strong fidelity to overwintering sites by at least some eastern box

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Program Abstracts 2010 turtles—a finding with important implications for the long-term persistence of box turtles, particularly dynamic landscapes subjected to natural or anthropogenic perturbations. Field Studies: Oral

The African soft shell turtle, Trionyx triunguis , in Seyhan River, Turkey OĞUZ TÜRKOZAN AND CAN YILMAZ Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Sceince and Arts, Department of Biology, Aydın, Turkey

Seyhan River is the most important site for the reproduction of Trionyx triunguis , in Çukurova Delta, Turkey. Many adults has been already recorded from the region together with some nesting. However, these nesting reports do not give any nest numbers or nesting localities of these animals in Seyhan River. In order to detect the nesting status of this animal we carried out 4 preliminary surveys in June, July (twice) and August. As a results we recorded a total of 28 nests at the sandy banks of the river. Of these nests, 15 were depredated by mammals (fox or jackal). A total of 988 eggs were counted in 28 nests with a mean of 35 eggs per clutch. Due to depredation only 99 hatchlings were produced from these nests. Poster Session

Recent Changes in Florida’s Rules Protecting Freshwater and Box Turtles BILL TURNER Habitat and Species Conservation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-1600 USA [[email protected]]

On July 20, 2009, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) changed the rules concerning freshwater turtles to further protect Florida’s freshwater turtles from over-exploitation. Demand for food turtles in foreign markets had caused a dramatic increase in the harvest of wild turtles, particularly softshell turtles. Evidence from scientific literature and expert opinion indicated that wild turtle harvest had exceeded sustainable levels, so the rules regulating freshwater turtle use were changed to protect Florida’s freshwater turtles. The new rule prohibits selling wild turtles and limits taking turtles for personal use to one per person per day. Furthermore, transportation is limited to one turtle per person except when the person transporting the turtles has an FWC Transportation Permit, Registration Permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), or proof of purchase from a pet store. The new rule changes make it illegal to possess the three turtle species listed as Species of Special Concern by FWC (alligator snapping turtles, Barbour’s map turtles and Suwannee cooters), although previously all had possession limits of two or one. Legal owners of these species prior to the rule changes were allowed to obtain a free permit to continue ownership. To ensure that no Species of Special Concern were accidently harvested, the new rule prohibited collection of species that resembled these species including eastern snapping turtles, Escambia map turtles and all cooter species. All previous possession limits remained unchanged as did the seasonal closure (May through July) for softshell turtles. In 2010, turtle aquaculture facilities registered under FDACS is allowed to take a limited number of some turtle species as breeding stock for their farms. FWC recognizes that this industry can serve as a source of turtles now that wild turtle harvest is prohibited. These facilities are required to maintain collected turtles on their farms for the duration of the permit. This permitting system is a short-term measure to allow turtle aquaculture facilities time to become self-contained. Florida Turtles: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities: Oral

An Integrated Research, Management, and Community Conservation Program for the Critically Endangered Madagascar Side-necked Turtle ( Erymnochelys madagascariensis)** JULIETTE VELOSOA , RANDRIAMAHITA , ERNEST BEKARANY , FLORIOT RANDRIANARIMANGASON , RICHARD MOZAVELO , LANCE WOOLAVER , AND RICHARD LEWIS Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Madagascar, BP 851, 101 Antananarivo, MADAGASCAR [[email protected]]

The Madagascar Side-necked Turtle ( Erymnochelys madagascariensis ) is Critically Endangered and endemic to eight major watersheds in western Madagascar. Major threats are loss of wetlands and turtle consumption by impoverished local communities. Both sexes and all age classes are consumed. Erymnochelys madagascariensis is on the verge of extinction; this is true at 27% of sites throughout the species’ known range. At a further 31% of sites the species has been over-exploited and is in serious decline. Only eight sites, representing 7.6% of the species’ historical range, currently support stable populations. Six of these are within existing protected areas. Three new protected areas that support important populations are currently being established at Menabe-Antimena, Tsimembo, and Ambondrobe. A conservation program began in 1998 and has evolved to combine research on this species’ distribution and ecology with active management. This includes nest

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Program Abstracts 2010 protection and ‘ head-starting’ of young turtles and community conservation programs at key sites. In addition, local people at Lakes Antsilomba and Ambondrobe have protected nests (1998 to 2007), which has produced more than 3000 hatchlings. In 2004, we carried out a reinforcement of E. madagascariensis at Lake Ankomakoma using head-started young that were collected as hatchlings from Lake Antsilomba and raised in captivity. Ankomakoma was a historically important lake for turtles, but they have been decimated due to over-fishing. In 2004, 158 young (3-5 years old) were released. Forty-seven (29%) had survived one year after release, 32 after 2 years (20%) and 20 (12%) after 3 years. Although we considered this to be a success, with an overall increase in turtle numbers and the raising of the species’ profile within local communities, the population is still too low to guarantee long-term survival. Another 180 young were released in 2009. Establishment of sustainable community conservation projects is an integral component of our conservation programme. We have been supporting the creation of local Associations and the legal transfer of natural resource management to these Associations. To date, community Associations have been created at three sites for turtle protection and sustainable wetland management. Our long-term goal is to support local communities to manage viable populations of E. madagascariensis within each of the eight main watersheds of western Madagascar. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral ** Supported by a Grant from the Turtle Conservation Fund

Development of a Balanced Anesthetic Protocol in Giant Tortoises and Interspecific Differences. A Case Series. ALESSIO VIGANI Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA [[email protected]]

Balanced anesthesia consists of the administration of a mixture of small doses of several neuronal depressants in order to summate the advantages but not the disadvantages of the individual components of the mixture. Chelonian anesthesia represents a challenge. The cardiovascular side effects, the inconsistent depth of anesthesia along with extremely long induction and recovery times associated with most anesthetic protocols, represent a limit to their use in tortoises. Giant tortoises of the species Aldabra ( Aldabrachelys gigantea ) and Galapagos ( Geochelone nigra) add to the list of anesthetic challenges due to their low metabolism, strength, and body size. Five giant tortoises were repeatedly anesthetized with a combination of dexmedetomidine at the dose of 15-20 mcg/kg, morphine or methadone at 0.4 mg/kg and ketamine at 2-3 mg/kg. The mixture was administered as a single intramuscular (IM) injection. Once sufficiently sedated, all the animals were masked with 5% sevoflurane on 100% oxygen for 5 to 10 min to allow endotracheal intubation. Inhalant anesthesia was integrated with intravenous midazolam at 0.1 mg/kg or propofol at 0.1mg/kg/min. Body temperature was maintained between 83 ℉ to 90 ℉. At the end of the procedure the alpha2 agonist and the benzodiazepine were consistently reversed with atipamezole and flumazenil (IM) respectively. The opioid agent was reversed with naloxone if non-invasive procedures were performed. The animals were extubated when fully able to breathe, swallow, and walk. Deep sedation occurred between 30 to 60 min after injection of the sedatives. The duration of recovery, (time between injection of the reversals and extubation) was between 45 min to 90 min. Respiratory depression was managed with controlled ventilation. All patients recovered uneventfully. In conclusion, the use of balanced anesthetic technique seemed to result in faster induction, more consistent depth of anesthesia and faster recoveries compared to other anesthetic protocols previously reported. Species-specific differences were observed. Aldabra tortoise in particular, seemed to be more refractory to drugs, with longer time of induction and higher dosages of drugs needed. The recovery time appeared also to be longer in Aldabra compared to Galapagos tortoises. Chelonian Health and Disease : Oral

A Passion for Reptiles: The Life of John Thorbjarnarson KENT A. VLIET University of Florida, Department of Biology, Gainesville, Florida 32611-8525, USA [[email protected]] John Thorbjarnarson, Senior Conservation Scientist for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), passed away in New Delhi, India, on February 14, 2010. “John T” or “Juan Caíman” was principally a crocodilian biologist - he worked in several countries with American crocodiles; established a captive breeding and reintroduction program for Orinoco crocodiles in Venezuela; surveyed the known range of Chinese alligators and encouraged habitat restoration and reintroduction of that species; facilitated programs for Siamese crocodiles in southeast Asia; and worked extensively with black caiman ecology and management in the Amazon, among many other projects. He travelled extensively, conducting research in no less than 37 countries. John’s passion for reptiles reached far beyond crocodiles. His influence on the biology and conservation of endangered turtles was significant. John routinely trained local graduate students to participate in his projects. This practice produced many valuable colleagues who continue the work of conservation and management today. These students have produced valuable contributions to our knowledge of the ecology and conservation of endangered freshwater turtle species.

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Program Abstracts 2010

John was an organizer, an instigator and a facilitator. He recognized unresolved conservation problems and addressed them. John was an understated fellow - much of his most influential contributions to conservation were achieved largely behind the scenes. His greatest contributions in turtle conservation may be: 1. Organized the 1999 Rafetus swinhoei workshop in China that first developed the captive breeding strategies currently in use. A consequence of this workshop, a poster of the softshell turtles of Asia, lead to the discovery of the only known remaining female of this species and enabled our last possible hope of captive breeding. 2. Helped organize the 1999 Cambodian Workshop on the Conservation and Trade of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises in Asia. 3. Wrote, with Bryan Stuart, the seminal publication “Biological Prioritization of Asian Countries for Turtle Conservation”, a paper that served to focus the conservation efforts of many at the beginning of the Asian turtle crisis. 4. Supported the initiation of WCS’s Myanmar turtle conservation program. John’s untiring commitment to the conservation of reptiles and his wry sense of humor will be dearly missed. John T: A Passion for Reptiles, the Life of John T

How Range Reduction and Fragmentation is Threatening the Long-term Survival of the Critically Endangered Madagascar Spider Tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides )** 1, 2 3, 4 5 6 RYAN C.J. WALKER , TSILAVO H. RAELIARISOA , INGE SMITH , AND RICHARD RAZATIMANATSOA 1Nautilus Ecology, 1 Pond Lane, Greetham, Rutland, LE15 7NW, UNITED KINGDOM [[email protected]] 2Department of Life Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UNITED KINGDOM 3Departement de Biologie Animale, Universite´ d’Antananarivo, BP 906, Antananarivo, MADAGASCAR 4Madagascar Biodiversity and Biogeography Project, Henry Doorly Zoo, Grewcock’s Center for Conservation and Research, 3701 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68107, USA 5Gardline Marine Sciences Limited, Endeavour House, Admiralty Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 3NG, UNITED KINGDOM 6Madagascar National Parks, BP 1424-103 Antananarivo, MADAGASCAR

Understanding the range of any critically endangered species is imperative if effective conservation strategies are to be established. The Madagascar Spider Tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides ) is divided into what is thought to be three morphologically and genetically distinct subspecies. These three subspecies were thought to have collectively occupied a restricted, but continuous belt of approximately 84,800 km 2 of dry coastal forest within southwest Madagascar. However anecdotal information suggests that this range has contracted considerably within recent times probably due to agricultural induced habitat destruction and poaching. A line transect and timed search survey methodology was developed and implemented during two fields seasons (January-March 2009 and January-March 2010) using 106 1km transects, and 36.55 man hours of timed searching across 87.55% of the species suspected historical range. These preliminary, quantitative tortoise occurrence data were overlaid onto a base map of southwest Madagascar, coupled with LandSat TM forest cover data and data delineating the species’ suspected historical range to create a Geographical Information System (GIS). Results suggest that the species’ range has been reduced by 68.81% across the survey area and that it is now confined to seven fragments of forest that total 26,162.4km 2. The northern subspecies ( P. a. brygooi ) suffered from the greatest range contraction (79.51%). The two current designated protected areas within the study region fail to encompass the densest populations of tortoises. In addition to poaching and habitat removal these seven remaining populations face medium to long term pressures from a number of proposed open cast ilmenite mining operations. These threats pose serious implications for the species’ long term survival. A coordinated response in the form of the Madagascar Protected Areas Expansion Project, which involves the gazetting by the government of large areas of new protected areas across large swathes of the species’ coastal spiny forest range, could reduce the current rate of range contraction. However, the challenge for authorities within Madagascar is effective management of these areas to protect the Madagascar Spider Tortoise from poaching and habitat destruction which currently threaten the species long term survival. Madagascar Freshwater Turtle & Tortoise Conservation: Oral (Student) ** Supported by a Grant from the Turtle Conservation Fund

Florida Turtle Conservation Trust: Working to Conserve Florida’s Rich Turtle Diversity 1 2 TIMOTHY J. WALSH AND GEORGE L. HEINRICH 1Orlando Science Center, 777 East Princeton Street, Orlando, Florida, 32803 USA [[email protected]] 2Heinrich Ecological Services, 1213 Alhambra Way S., St. Petersburg, Florida, 33705-4620 USA

Florida is geographically located in the second richest center of global diversity for turtles and its wide variety of habitats

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Program Abstracts 2010 support over 8% of the world’s known species. Twenty-five (45.5%) of the 55 species found in the United States also occur in Florida, with 18 (72%) of those considered by turtle biologists to be in need of conservation attention. Florida’s significant habitat diversity and species richness not only make the state a chelonian hotspot, but critical to the conservation of many species as well. The Florida Turtle Conservation Trust (FTCT) was formed in 1999 by a group of biologists and conservationists concerned with the conservation outlook for Florida turtles. This membership-based NGO focuses its efforts on the conservation of non-marine turtles, with current projects targeting diamondback terrapins ( Malaclemys terrapin ) and riverine species. This work is done through the education and engagement of diverse target audiences. Areas of focus include the development of educational programs and materials, coordination of community-supported habitat cleanups, identification of existing threats, and development of recommendations resulting in positive change. Certainly, the threats to Florida turtles and their associated ecosystems present broad conservation challenges. However, despite the apparent urgency of the situation, the opportunities for conservation remain great. The FTCT welcomes individuals that want to join in working to conserve Florida’s rich turtle diversity. Florida Turtles: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities: Oral

Molecular Diagnostics in Testudines JIM WELLEHAN Zoological Medicine Service, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA [[email protected]]

RULE # 1: GET HISTOPATHOLOGY RULE # 2: ALWAYS FREEZE BACK EXTRA SAMPLES

Diagnostic tests for infectious agents may be divided into two categories: testing for an immune response, and for agent presence. Neither necessarily indicates disease; results need to be correlated with other information. It is important to understand test limitations. Immunological testing gives evidence of an immune response, but not pathogen presence. Cross-reactivity with unknown related agents is possible. Further, there are approximately 300 species in the Testudines. ELISA tests require a secondary antibody specific to a species. Further understanding of turtle pathogens is needed before serologic data can be reliably interpreted. Most importantly, the information that is usually sought is not whether the patent has an immune response, but whether the agent is present. Pathogen isolation is considered the gold standard, but many reptile pathogens have yet to be successfully cultured. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization both test for the presence of an infectious agent. The specificity of these tests varies according to the specificity of antibody or ISH probe. An assay of low stringency may require further tests for specific pathogen identification. PCR tests for the presence of an infectious agent, and is highly sensitive, making it susceptible to contamination. A PCR designed to amplify multiple organisms is a consensus PCR. Many consensus PCR assays are now available for identification of groups of reptile pathogens, including adenoviruses, herpesviruses, iridoviruses, papillomaviruses, paramyxoviruses, reoviruses, rhabdoviruses, and coccidia. PCR product identity needs to be validated. Outdated methods of validation such as gel electrophoresis or restriction digestion are not acceptable. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) using probes for validation provides information about pathogen presence as well as amount present. A well-designed qPCR is highly specific and sensitive, but not useful for discovery of unknown agents. The most specific validation method is to sequence the PCR product. Consensus PCR with sequencing enables rapid identification of previously unknown organisms. When looking for infectious agent presence, the best sample is wherever the organism is most abundant. A cloacal wash may be best for enteric agents, whereas a pulmonary wash may be better for respiratory pathogens. Biopsies of specific organs may be indicated, and paired samples can be collected for histology and molecular diagnostics. Chelonian Health and Disease : Oral

Using Rescued Cuora flavomarginata from Taiwan to Understand its Biology SHENG -HAI WU Department of Life Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, TAIWAN [[email protected]]

About 1500 confiscated yellow-margined box turtles ( Cuora flavomarginata ) and another 150 rescued individuals from a reservoir construction site are kept in three temporary holding facilities in western Taiwan. No consensus is reached yet on whether confiscated turtles can be released to the wild. Several research projects are underway to better understand the biology and life histories of the species, and the results may aid in future decisions on the fate of these turtles.

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Program Abstracts 2010

There is some evidence of geographic variation in different populations of the species in Taiwan as is demonstrated by mitochondrial gene sequences. An island wide survey is in progress to find diagnostic genetic loci and morphometric characters for separating populations and to correctly identify the origins of these illegally trapped turtles. We use blood samples of turtles removed from a known location to understand the genetic and mating structures of a population by using microsatellite analyses. Some of these turtles are also fitted with acceleraton, light, and temperature pendant loggers, and radio telemetry to study the daily and yearly activity patterns, home range, and microhabitat selection. These data would be important for estimating population size and selecting translocation localities. Especially important is the use of these data loggers and recapture records to obtain detectability and availability estimates for turtles which are important for estimating abundance. Since turtles are not active every day, previous estimates based on sighting or mark- recapture may underestimate the actual population size. With the number of individuals in captivity and the daily activity patterns known, it would be possible to give an unbiased estimate of the availability of turtles (active turtles), which could later be applied to natural populations. On the Brink, the Genus Cuora: Oral

The Effect of Flooding on the Spatial Ecology of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata ) in a Southern Ontario Population KATHARINE YAGI AND JACQUELINE LITZGUS Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, CANADA [[email protected]]

Many studies have focused on the effects of anthropogenic habitat alterations on animals, but little attention has been given to the effects of natural changes in habitat. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of flooding caused by beavers on the spatial ecology of the federally endangered ( Clemmys guttata ) in an isolated bog that was historically drained for peat extraction. I examined home range size, daily distances moved, and habitat use before and after flooding. I predicted that home range sizes and movements would be greater after flooding because the increased water level would make more of the bog available to the turtles. I predicted a change in habitat selection as more aquatic habitats became available post-flooding. Using radio telemetry, 19 turtles were tracked for two active seasons (2008-2009) to determine spatial patterns during the flooded conditions. I used historical data collected by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to represent Spotted Turtle spatial patterns before flooding conditions. Daily movements and home range sizes were significantly larger during post-flood conditions compared to pre-flood conditions. After flooding, there was a strong preference for the drainage ditches and flooded zones throughout the active season. The beavers appear to have created positive environmental conditions for Spotted Turtles within the site; however future work is needed to determine how Spotted Turtle nesting and hibernation habitat has been affected by the flooding conditions. Understanding the response of Spotted Turtles to this natural change in habitat will help biologists determine the best management plan to protect the critical habitat and survival of this species at risk. Field Studies: Oral (Student)

Bog Turtles, Living on the Edge Presented by Robert Zappalorti Herpetological Associates, Inc., 575 Toms River Road, Route 571, Jackson, New Jersey 08527

Produced and funded by the Pennsylvania Wild Resources Conservation Fund, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Herpetological Associates and The Nature Conservancy. Video Night

First Breeding of the – Cuora yunnanensis (Boulenger, 1906) TING ZHOU ¹, TORSTEN BLANCK ² AND WILLIAM P. MCCORD ³ 1Longkumman Road, Haikou City, Province, CHINA [[email protected]] 28530 Deutschlandsberg, Austria; AUSTRIA [[email protected]] 3East Fishkill Animal Hospital, Hopewell Junction, New York, NY 12533, USA [@aol.com]

The extremely rare Yunnan box turtle, Cuora yunnanensis , was first described by George Albert Boulenger in 1906. The species is endemic to Yunnan Province, China, and is ranks among the rarest turtle in the world. The species was thought to be extinct for nearly a century and was listed as extinct by the IUCN, the first species of turtle believed to have gone extinct in the 20 th century. However, in 2004 an adult female and a few months later an adult male appeared in the pet trade. We obtained this pair in 2004 and since maintain it. In 2009 the species was finally rediscovered in the wild and another breeding group was formed in Yunnan.

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Program Abstracts 2010

We observed underwater courtship and mating in April and December. Approximately two weeks before egg laying the female becomes inactive, basks frequently, and eats very little. Egg laying occurs usually in April or May. Eggs are laid at night or in the early morning hours, with the ability to double clutch in a single season. At incubation temperatures of 28-30°C, hatchlings emerge after sixty four to sixty eight days. Hatchlings have an average carapace length of 33 millimeters and weigh 8 grams. For the first few weeks, we keep the hatchlings individually in moist basins with a water depth of 8—12 millimeters, at a water temperature of twenty eight to thirty degrees centigrade and with a rock for basking. During the early sensitive period, the hatchlings are fed once daily with chopped meats such as pork, fish, and shrimp. The first breeding success with this pair occurred in 2006 with 3 hatchlings emerging from their eggs. Since then further hatchlings have been produced in the last years. On the Brink, the Genus Cuora: Oral

Operation Cuora yunnanensis , Saving the Critically Endangered Species from Extinction HENK ZWARTEPOORTE Rotterdam Zoo, PO Box 532, 3000 AM Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS [[email protected]]

Cuora yunnanensis was supposed to be extinct. Recently, however, the species was rediscovered and several specimens turned out to be in captivity in China and Europe as well in the wild. A management plan is being developed to establish an in-situ as well as ex-situ captive assurance colony on one side and species and habitat protection in its natural habitat on the other side. The TSA plays a vital role in developing this plan and is working in close cooperation with the University of Kunming, as well the Chinese authorities, which is vital in this species‘ protection management programme. On the Brink, the Genus Cuora: Oral

Reproduction of the Three Striped Box Turtle Cuora trifasciata HENK ZWARTEPOORTE Rotterdam Zoo, PO Box 532, 3000 AM Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS [[email protected]]

Reproduction of the critically endangered three striped box turtle, Cuora trifasciata, has long been problematic in zoos as well as in private collections. However, reproduction success is improving since three different DNA haplotypes of C. trifasciata have been assessed and C.cyclornata has been split up from C. Trifasciata. Additionally, larger numbers of specimens of both species are registered in the European Studbook Foundation studbook/breeding programme. Within the European Studbook Foundation, institutions from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria now work in cooperation with private collectors. Details are given on captive nutrition, husbandry and incubation; the latter two are important in relation to reproduction. A short video is shown on mating and copulation behaviour. Numbers are given on breeding and breeding locations within European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and European Studbook Foundation. On the Brink, the Genus Cuora: Oral

The ESF Cuora Studbooks/Breeding Programmes in Favour of the Cuora Genus HENK ZWARTEPOORTE Rotterdam Zoo, PO Box 532, 3000 AM Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS [[email protected]]

The genus Cuora is considered to be endangered and some species critically endangered ; some species received protection under CITES (Appendix II). As such, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and reliable private keepers/breeders have become more and more aware of the necessity to breed all Cuora species. Breeding programmes were initiated in the mid 1990s within the European Studbook Foundation for all Cuora species. All Cuora species are listed in the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Regional Collection Plan. Wherever possible, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and the European Studbook Foundation work closely together. Since these studbook/breeding programmes have been implemented, reproduction has improved significantly. Details are given on species, numbers kept, and breeding results in different institutions and European Studbook Foundation collections. A general Cuora DNA research project was initiated in 2009 in Europe. The first results will be published in the course of this year. The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and the European Studbook Foundation are participating in this research and partly funding this project. Poster Session

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Species Index 2010

Aldabrachelys ...... 21, 47 Kinosternon flavescens ...... 39 American River Turtle ...... 34, 35, 44 Macrochelys temminckii ...... 19, 20 Apalone ...... 13 Macroclemys ...... 24 Apalone mutica ...... 4 Malaclemys terrapin ...... 8, 17, 28, 34, 41, 49 Apalone spinifera ...... 18, 23 Manouria ...... 31, 32, 39 Aspideretes ...... 34, 36, 37 Map Turtles ...... 24, 42 Astrochelys radiata .... 2, 8, 11, 17, 18, 21, 24, 25, 31, 33, Mauremys ...... 2, 9, 31 35, 36, 37 Melanochelys tricarinata ...... 22 Astrochelys yniphora ...... 21, 23, 33 Mesoclemmys ...... 14 Batagur ...... 21, 34, 41 Nile Soft-shell Turtle ...... See Trionyx triunguis Big-headed Terrapin ...... See Platysternon Okinawa Leaf Turtle ...... See Geoemyda japonica Black Marsh Turtle ...... See Siebenrockiella crassicollis Pangshura tecta tecta ...... 6 Bog Turtle ...... See Glyptemys muhlenbergii Pelodiscus sinensis ...... 31 Box Turtle ...... See Terrapene Phrynops ...... 14 Cane Turtle ...... See Vijayachelys silvatica Platemys platycephala ...... 6 Chelydra serpentina ...... 43 Platysternon ...... 44 Chitra ...... 4, 34, 36, 41 Ploughshare Tortoise ...... See Astrochelys yniphora Chrysemys picta ...... 13, 16 Podocnemis ...... 14, 29, 30 Clemmys guttata ...... 50 Pseudemys concinna ...... 19 Cuora ...... 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 27, 31, 45, 49, 50, 51 Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis ...... 17, 20, 26 Dermatemys ...... 34 Pyxis ...... 11, 29, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 48 Dermatemys mawii ...... 3 Radiated Tortoise ...... See Astrochelys radiata Desert Tortoise...... 2 Rafetus swinhoei ...... 21, 48 Diamondback Terrapins ...... See Malaclemys terrapin River Cooter ...... 22, 26 Dogania subplana ...... 38 River Turtle ...... See Dermatemys Egyptian Tortoise ...... 10 Siebenrockiella crassicollis ...... 7 Emydid...... 42 Smooth Softshell Turtle ...... See Apalone mutica Emys (Actinemys ) marmorata ...... 40 Softshell Turtles ...... 4, 13, 31, 32, 33, 34 Erymnochelys madagascariensis ...... 21, 46 Spider ...... See Pyxis Flat-tailed Tortoise ...... See Pyxis Spotted Turtles ...... See Clemmys guttata Florida Turtles ...... 28 Sternotherus carinatus ...... 13, 25 Flower-back Box Turtle ...... See Cuora Sternotherus odoratus ...... 16, 23 Freshwater Turtles ...... 3, 9, 13, 28, 34, 48 Terrapene ...... 11, 12, 16, 26, 45 Geochelone nigra ...... 47 Testudines ...... 49 Geoemyda japonica ...... 15 Testudo ...... 10, 14, 21, 31 Glyptemys muhlenbergii ...... 26, 40 Texas tortoise ...... See Gopherus berlandieri Gopher Tortoise ...... See Gopherus polyphemus Toad-Headed Turtle ...... 14 Gopherus berlandieri ...... 20 Trachemys scripta ...... 13, 16, 20, 25, 31 Gopherus polyphemus ...... 5, 7, 15, 24, 27, 42, 43 Travancore Tortoise ...... See Indotestudo travancoria Graptemys ...... 13, 15, 24, 25, 39, 42 Trionyx triunguis ...... 16, 17, 32, 46 Heosemys depressa ...... 30, 31 Twist-necked Turtle ...... See Platemys platycephala Homes Hinge-back Tortoise ...... See Kinixys homeana Vijayachelys silvatica ...... 10 Indian Roof Turtle ...... See Pangshura tecta tecta Western Pond Turtle ..... See Emys (Actinemys) marmorata Indotestudo travancoria ...... 10 ...... 22

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