How Far from Water? Terrestrial Dispersal and Nesting Sites of the Freshwater TurtlePhrynops hilariiin the Floodplain of the Paraná River (Argentina)

Abstract

Terrestrial environments surrounding aquatic resources are important and intensively used by semi-aquatic species. In the present work, terrestrial dispersal and nesting sites of the freshwater turtle Phrynops hilarii were analyzed in the floodplain of the Paraná River, using field data and variables obtained from remote sensing. A total of 112 turtles and 44 nests were recorded during road sampling for one year (covered a total of 786 km in 30 surveys). Individuals were at a mean distance of 171.45 m from water, with a negative correlation between number of turtles and distance from water bodies. No significant differences in distance of turtles from water were observed among seasons. Phrynops hilarii nested at a mean distance of 136.51 m from water, showing a negative correlation between number of nests and distance from water bodies. Mean elevation of nests relative to maximum level of water body nearest each record was 1.13 m. The correlation between number of nests and elevation of the nearest water body was positive and significant. The landscape surrounding wetlands is important for P. hilarii to complete the life cycle, as nesting is done in this environment. Our results show that the habitat selected for nesting and terrestrial dispersal was proportionally different from that available in the entire study area, with a higher proportion of wetlands, grasslands and forests.

Nest site selection and nesting behavior of the mud turtle Kinosternon scorpiodes (Testudines, Kinosternidae) in Palo Verde National Park, Costa Rica: implications for management

“…Gravid females are selective in terms of nesting sites. This behavior is an important determinant of offspring success (López et al 2013). This means, that in order to guarantee the successful reproduction of K. scorpioides, certain habitat characteristics must be available in the areas comprising the first few meters of terrestrial habitat surrounding the wetland.…”

Nesting sites in agricultural landscapes may reduce the reproductive success of populations of Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii)

“…Because incubation time for freshwater turtle eggs ranges from 60 to 90 days (Packard et al 1987;Cagle et al 1993), female turtles likely use contemporary environmental cues as predictors of the future nest-site condi-tions (Kolbe and Janzen 2002;Hughes and Brooks 2006;López et al 2013). Site selection therefore is an important determinant of offspring success and females must select a location that provides appropriate conditions for embryo development, minimizes the risk of flooding, and is within relatively close proximity to suitable overwintering sites for hatchlings (Kolbe and Janzen 2002;López et al 2013). Typical characteristics of successful nests include well-drained, and sparsely vegetated, loose sandy soil with a low canopy cover (Hughes and Brooks 2006;Dowling et al 2010).…”

Parasitofauna en tortugas dulceacuícolas de Argentina: interpretación de las asociaciones parásito-hospedador-ambiente

“…El último factor a tener en cuenta es el comportamiento. Es característico que las tortugas de esta especie se asoleen (basking) fuera del agua y que pasen largos periodos de tiempo fuera de ella (López et al 2013;Semeñiuk & Alcalde 2017;Clavijo-Baquet & Magnone 2017), exponiéndose no solo a parásitos con ciclos de vida acuáticos (e.g. Hedruris dratini), sino también a parásitos asociados a ambientes terrestres (e.g.…”