Predicting translocation outcomes with personality for desert tortoises

Germano, Jennifer M.; Nafus, Melia G.; Perry, Jeanette A; Hall, Derek B.; Swaisgood, Ronald R.

doi:10.1093/beheco/arx064

Cited by 44 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…The turtles’ survival was correlated with tendency to explore, with less exploratory turtles more likely to be dead or missing. Similar effects of exploration on survival were found in juvenile desert tortoises ( Gopherus agassizii , Germano et al, 2017). Neither boldness nor aggression was correlated with survival.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

“…In turtles and tortoises, as in other species, personality has been explored using a variety of methods. Germano et al (2017) used the presentation of threatening stimuli to measure boldness and the effect of novel objects on investigative behaviors to measure exploration in desert tortoises ( Gopherus agassizii ). Latency to move from an initial location in an arena was used to assess exploration in red-eared slider turtles ( Trachemys scripta , Carter et al, 2016) and eastern Hermann’s tortoises ( Eurotestudo boettgeri, Mafli et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Personality in Zoo-Hatched Blanding’s Turtles Affects Behavior and Survival After Reintroduction Into the Wild

Allard¹,

Fuller²,

Torgerson-White³

et al. 2019

Front. Psychol.

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Reintroduction programs in which captive-bred or reared animals are released into natural habitats are considered a key approach for conservation; however, success rates have generally been low. Accounting for factors that enable individual animals to have a greater chance of survival can not only improve overall conservation outcomes but can also impact the welfare of the individual animals involved. One such factor may be individual personality, and personality research is a growing field. We designed a project to ascertain the presence of personality traits in Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a species of special concern in the state of Michigan, and to assess potential links between traits and post-release success. As hypothesized, the Blanding’s turtles in this study displayed behavioral responses to modified open field tests indicative of distinct personality traits: exploration, boldness, and aggression. Additionally, the personality traits were correlated differently with survival and behavior patterns when the turtles were released into the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. More exploratory turtles had higher survival rates, while neither boldness nor aggression was related to survival. Exploratory turtles were also more likely to travel longer distances after release. The use of muskrat dens was related to increased survival, and both bolder and more exploratory turtles made higher use of this feature. Exploratory and aggressive turtles were found basking outside of water more often, while bold turtles were more likely to be found at the water surface. Both these basking behaviors may increase the risk of predation and may be reflective of a trade-off between the risk and behaviors related to physiological health. Understanding how personality affects behavior and survival post-release can be a critical tool for improving reintroduction success. Zoo animal welfare scientists and practitioners can implement approaches that improve the welfare of individuals within the context of conservation initiatives.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Personality in Zoo-Hatched Blanding’s Turtles Affects Behavior and Survival After Reintroduction Into the Wild

Allard¹,

Fuller²,

Torgerson-White³

et al. 2019

Front. Psychol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…a larger sample size) warrants further investigation, particularly considering that post-release survival was high for this reintroduction (by comparison, previously Panfylova et al (2016) reported just 19% female survival 6 months post-release). Social effects could then be incorporated with evidence for other individual-level effects on survival (Goldenberg et al, 2019), such as exploratory tendency or boldness (Bremner-Harrison, Prodohl & Elwood, 2004;May, Page & Fleming, 2016;Germano et al, 2017;Richardson et al, 2019), or physiological condition (Adams et al, 2010;Cabezas, Calvete & Moreno, 2011) to help inform conservation strategies and select individuals with the best suite of characteristics that might predict a successful translocation (see Parlato & Armstrong, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in social groups across reintroductions and effects on post‐release survival

Franks

Andrews

Ewen

et al. 2019

Animal Conservation

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Reintroductions, essential to many conservation programmes, disrupt both abiotic and social environments. Despite growing recognition that social connections in animals might alter survival (e.g. social transmission of foraging skills, or transmission of disease), there has thus far been little focus on the consequences of social disruption during reintroductions. Here we investigate if moving familiar social groups may help a threatened species to adjust to its new environment and increase post-release survival. For a reintroduction of 40 juvenile hihi Notiomystis cincta (a threatened New Zealand passerine), we observed social groups before and after translocation to a new site and used social network analysis to study three levels of social change: overall group structure, network associations and individual sociality. We also tested alternate translocation strategies where birds were kept temporarily in aviaries in either a familiar group, or where their prior association was mixed. Although social structure remained similar among juveniles that remained at the source site, we detected significant changes in translocated birds at both the group-and individual-level post-release. However, our holding treatments did not affect these social bonds so we remain unable to maintain or manipulate social groups during translocation. Crucially, there was a small tendency for translocated juveniles that gained more associates during re-assortment of social groups to be more likely to survive their first year post-release. We suggest that prior sociality may not be important during translocations, but rather individuals that are most able to adapt and form associations at a new site are most likely to be the surviving founders of reintroduced populations.

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“…In addition, possible releases by Native American tribes that used tortoises for food or other cultural purposes (Schneider and Everson 1989) likely occurred throughout the range of the species. The success of those and other introductions depends on the ability of translocated tortoises to survive under local conditions, something that is not assured (Germano and Bishop 2008) and that varies among individuals (Germano et al 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Refining genetic boundaries for Agassiz’s desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in the western Sonoran Desert: the influence of the Coachella Valley on gene flow among populations in southern California

Lovich¹,

Edwards²,

Berry³

et al. 2020

Frontiers of Biogeography

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Highlights • The complex geologic and climatic history of the Desert Southwest region of the United States during the last 6 million years shaped the past and present distribution, diversity, and evolution of plants and animals. • Gene flow and connectivity among populations of Agassiz's desert tortoises, a conservation-reliant species, are influenced by landscape features including mountains, low-elevation depressions, and even roads.

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Predicting translocation outcomes with personality for desert tortoises

Cited by 44 publications

References 51 publications

Personality in Zoo-Hatched Blanding’s Turtles Affects Behavior and Survival After Reintroduction Into the Wild

Personality in Zoo-Hatched Blanding’s Turtles Affects Behavior and Survival After Reintroduction Into the Wild

Changes in social groups across reintroductions and effects on post‐release survival

Refining genetic boundaries for Agassiz’s desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in the western Sonoran Desert: the influence of the Coachella Valley on gene flow among populations in southern California

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