Resource Selection by Translocated Three‐Toed Box Turtles in Missouri

Abstract

Resource selection is a multi‐staged process of behavioral responses to various resource cues or stimuli. Previous research suggests some aspects of resource selection may be inherent (i.e., genetic predisposition) or based on early experience and that individuals respond to certain resource cues but not to others. In other words, resource selection may be based on a template that specifies which cues to use in the resource‐selection process and the appropriate response to those cues. We used resource utilization functions (RUFs) to examine the resource‐selection template of translocated three‐toed box turtles (Terrapene carolina triunguis; hereafter turtles) and made comparisons to resident turtles. Translocated turtles, previously residents of a predominantly forested landscape with low edge‐density, used forest openings, forest edges, and southwest‐facing slopes before and after translocation to a fragmented site containing resident turtles. In contrast, resident turtles used forested areas and northeast‐facing slopes within a predominantly open landscape with high edge‐density. Our comparison of resource selection by translocated and resident turtles revealed population‐specific resource selection and consistency in selection following translocation, which reinforces the idea of a resource‐selection template and suggests that in the short‐term box turtles may not adapt their predisposed behavior to local conditions. Thus, translocated animals may evaluate and respond to resource cues as if they were at the original site. Lack of site fidelity may result from individuals seeking additional resources to match their resource‐selection template. Successful translocation of turtles may require an assessment of resource selection prior to translocation and development of management strategies that mitigate turtle response to translocation.

No place like home: an experimental comparison of reintroduction strategies using snakes

“…That an animal’s prior experience appears to factor importantly in determining their behaviour and ultimate survival during the phase of early establishment at an unfamiliar site provides a potentially useful framework for improving reintroduction efforts (Davis & Stamps 2004; Stamps & Swaisgood 2007). Reintroductions are likely to be most successful when habitats (and associated resources and conditions) are matched between source and release sites (Rittenhouse et al . 2008).…”

“…Consistent with NHPI, translocated snakes demonstrated strong preference for open wetlands, a pattern in contrast to the mixed use of wetland types (forested ⁄ scrub, and open) by resident snakes. Translocated animals have been shown to use resources in a manner consistent with their original site (Rittenhouse et al 2008), sometimes with negative consequences to their performance in the new environment (Warren et al 1996;Kenward & Hoddler 1998). Associations with familiar hibernation sites may also account for the trend of translocated individuals maintaining surface activity later in the season (Fig.…”

“…That an animal's prior experience appears to factor importantly in determining their behaviour and ultimate survival during the phase of early establishment at an unfamiliar site provides a potentially useful framework for improving reintroduction efforts (Davis & Stamps 2004;Stamps & Swaisgood 2007). Reintroductions are likely to be most successful when habitats (and associated resources and conditions) are matched between source and release sites (Rittenhouse et al 2008). When such matches are not possible, the performance and site fidelity of translocated animals may be improved by temporarily confining them in enclosures that allow new associations to be made while avoiding the dangers of Snake reintroduction biology 1259 exploratory wanderings (Bright & Morris 1994;Tuberville et al 2005).…”

Evaluation of the Efficiency of Filtration Processes Using Precoat Materials

“…For each animal, we evaluated the 6 landscape models and used Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) to determine the best approximating model from the candidate landscape model set (Burnham and Anderson 2002). Next, we incorporated the influential landscape attributes in the hunting period models and used AIC to determine the best overall approximating model for each animal (Rittenhouse et al 2008).…”

“…We estimated the population level resource selection coefficients by taking the average of the standardized coefficients from the most supported model for each individual. We conservatively estimated the variance of each population‐level selection coefficient by calculating the variance of each coefficient across all individuals (Rittenhouse et al 2008).…”