Status of the Alligator Snapping Turtle, Macrochelys temminckii, in West Tennessee

Head-start programs have been established to aid in the recovery of Macrochelys temmincki (Alligator Snapping Turtle) throughout the Mississippi River drainage. As the success of the breeding programs increase, additional release sites are needed where suitable habitat persists for reintroduction of Alligator Snapping Turtles, but methods to evaluate habitat suitability remain loosely defined. We developed a standardized field survey and habitat suitability model that can be used to assess and prioritize potential reintroduction sites. We measured important habitat features in the field and indexed them using a simple model that translated continuous data to an ordinal scoring system, resulting in an overall site-suitability score. We developed the model using 2 potential measurements of submerged deadwood density and determined habitat suitability among 17 sites in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi where Alligator Snapping Turtles were absent, present, and reintroduced. The model using side-scan sonar correctly predicted the presence of good habitat at sites where wild and reintroduced populations of Alligator Snapping Turtles were present, and scores were significantly related to Alligator Snapping Turtle abundance.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Standardized Field Method and Habitat Suitability Model to Assess Reintroduction Sites for Alligator Snapping Turtles

Voves

Hannabass

Thompson

et al. 2023

“…The USFWS announced proposed listing of the Alligator Snapping Turtle as threatened following a status review prompted by the filing of a petition in 2012 by the Center for Biological Diversity (USFWS 2021). Awareness of potential imperilment and lack of information on the distribution and population status of the Alligator Snapping Turtle has prompted states to fund studies to address data gaps for the species (Boundy and Kennedy 2006;Folt and Godwin 2013;Garig et al 2021;Jensen and Birkhead 2003;King et al 2016;Lescher et al 2013;Riedle et al 2005Riedle et al , 2008Shipman and Riedle 2008;Shipman et al 1995;Sloan and Lovich 1995;Trauth et al 1998;Wagner et al 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and Status of the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) in Alabama

Godwin

Coleman

Guyer

2023

Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle) has experienced historical harvesting pressures that impact a number of current populations. Filling distribution gaps and obtaining demographic data can better inform conservation and management. We summarized multi-year samples targeting the Alligator Snapping Turtle in large river systems and major tributaries of Alabama. Although catch per unit effort was lower than observed in other states, we filled distribution gaps in several river systems. Though studies from other states documented effects of historical harvesting pressure on Alligator Snapping Turtle populations, mean adult mass of both sexes, mean carapace length, and capture ratio of adults to immatures suggested reduced pressures in Alabama and possible population stability. Nevertheless, smaller tributaries and creeks need to be surveyed for previously undetected populations with mark-recapture and movement studies.

“…Macrochelys temminckii (Troost in Harlan) (Alligator Snapping Turtle) is native to river drainages of the Gulf of Mexico including the Mississippi River basin, Mobile River basin, and Gulf Coastal Plain rivers of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida (Baxley et al 2014, Caldwell and Collins 1981, Garig et al 2021, Garrett and Barker 1987, Howey and Dinkelacker 2009, Huntzinger et al 2019, Kessler et al 2017, King et al 2016, Krysko et al 2019, Martof 1956, Munscher et al 2020, Powell et al 2016, Smith 1961, Trauth et al 2016, Webb 1970). In Alabama, Alligator Snapping Turtles have been found in the Coosa, Tallapoosa, Alabama, Cahaba, Tombigbee, and Black Warrior rivers and in associated tributaries of the Mobile River basin including the Mobile Delta and Fowl, Dog, Magnolia, and Bon Secour coastal rivers (Fig.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most common method employed by herpetologists to survey and collect Alligator Snapping Turtles is with baited hoop nets (Folt and Godwin 2013, Garig et al 2021, Howey and Dinkelacker 2009, Huntzinger 2019, King et al 2016). Fishery biologists use many types of sampling gear dependent on the study and/or species.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

New Location Records for Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) Captured during Fishery Surveys in Alabama

Rider,

Powell,

T. Miles

2023

Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle) is classified as a species of moderate conservation concern by the State of Alabama and is proposed for listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Using the most up-to-date and best available distribution and biological data is paramount in the decisionmaking process for any petitioned or proposed-listed species. We provide an additional 21 Alligator Snapping Turtle records from Alabama collected as bycatch during fishery surveys. We incidentally captured 19 Alligator Snapping Turtles from the Alabama (n = 12), Tombigbee (n = 6), and Conecuh (n = 1) rivers and observed 2 additional specimens from the Tallapoosa River drainage. For both the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers combined, 89% of our Alligator Snapping Turtle captures were in backwater areas (i.e., off channel), which are new location records in these river drainages. Researchers and managers should consider contacting and collaborating with colleagues across scientific disciplines to compile and provide the best available data for current species assessments.Macrochelys temminckii (Troost in Harlan) (Alligator Snapping Turtle) is native to river drainages of the Gulf of Mexico including the Mississippi River basin, Mobile River basin, and Gulf Coastal Plain rivers of Mississippi,