Where Lakes Were Once Rivers: Contrasts of Freshwater Turtle Diets in Dams and Rivers of Southeastern Queensland

Tucker, Anton D.; Guarino, Fiorenzo; Priest, Toni E.

doi:10.2744/ccb-0906.1

Cited by 21 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The initial filling of the Wyaralong Dam impoundment occurred within a single flood event during 2011 and resulted in the conversion of Teviot Brook into a large lentic environment characterised by deeper, still waters. The construction of water infrastructure and associated impoundment of riverine habitat has been shown to decrease the abundance of many aquatic species (Abromovitz 1996;Ward 1998;Tucker 2000;Tucker et al 2012). For example, a study by Hunt et al (2013) identified that riparian reptile occupancy and species richness decreased with decreasing distance to dams.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of a new water infrastructure development on the relative abundance of two Australian freshwater turtle species

Clark¹,

Mills²,

Osborne

et al. 2018

Aust. J. Zool.

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Development of water infrastructure benefits water security and agriculture but poses risks to habitat and aquatic fauna. Wyaralong Dam was constructed on Teviot Brook in 2010 to provide future urban water supplies for South East Queensland, Australia. Construction of the dam created a large impoundment area and environmental impact assessment predicted significant impacts upon resident freshwater turtle species and their habitats. Differences in habitat requirements, life-history characteristics and sensitivity to change between the Macquarie River turtle (Emydura macquarii macquarii) and the common saw-shelled turtle (Myuchelys latisternum) were expected to influence the impact of the dam on the spatial and temporal abundance of these species. The relative abundance of each species was monitored at sites located within, upstream and downstream of the impoundment across wet and dry seasons during the dam’s first five years of operation. The results of this monitoring program indicate that spatial and temporal variability in the relative abundance of E. macquarii macquarii and M. latisternum occurred during the study but not all expected impacts were realised. Contrary to expectation, the relative abundance of E. macquarii macquarii did not increase over time within, upstream or downstream of the dam. M. latisternum showed greater temporal variability at some sites; however, no clear relationship between relative abundance and operational years was observed during the monitoring program. Spatial variability in relative abundance between sites was dependent upon season, with trends generally consistent across both turtle species. Where differences between species were observed, these are suspected to have resulted from the influence of environmental conditions on species-specific movement behaviours. The monitoring program confirmed the use of the upper limits of the impoundment and the plunge pool below the dam wall by both turtle species but relative abundance within the main body of the impoundment remained low throughout monitoring. The results of the study allow for consideration of the suitability of predefined management measures and the development of recommendations for future monitoring programs prescribed for water infrastructure developments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of a new water infrastructure development on the relative abundance of two Australian freshwater turtle species

Clark¹,

Mills²,

Osborne

et al. 2018

Aust. J. Zool.

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“…Approximately 50 turtles are captured annually by a combination of baited cathedral traps (passive sampling) and hand-capture (active sampling) to minimize any bias that might arise due to using only one method. Emydura macquarii krefftii tend to frequent the downstream reaches of large river systems or creeks, where they forage in the water and are considered omnivorous (11). Myuchelys latisternum are chiefly carnivorous and inhabit mainly the headwaters of rivers and tributaries, but can also be found in lagoons and billabongs (11).…”

Section: Turtlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Emydura macquarii krefftii tend to frequent the downstream reaches of large river systems or creeks, where they forage in the water and are considered omnivorous (11). Myuchelys latisternum are chiefly carnivorous and inhabit mainly the headwaters of rivers and tributaries, but can also be found in lagoons and billabongs (11). Both species can grow to 30 cm curved carapace length (CCL) and have a life-span of 20-30 years (12).…”

Section: Turtlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cutaneous Lesions in Freshwater Turtles (Emydura macquarii krefftii and Myuchelys latisternum) in a Rainforest Creek in North Queensland, Australia

Wirth

Elliott²,

Rudd

et al. 2020

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Freshwater turtles inhabit most rivers and creeks on the east coast of Australia, but some species are only found in specific catchments, which makes them vulnerable to extinction. During annual fieldtrips to Alligator Creek, North Queensland, the resident population of Myuchelys latisternum and Emydura macquarii krefftii in a natural pond, just outside Bowling Green National Park, have been surveyed for a number of years and demographic data recorded against tagged turtles. Rounded, cutaneous lesions on individual animals were first noted in August 2016, three years after the first survey of the population. Turtles living in the upstream sections of the creek were not affected. An initial investigation into the cause of the lesions ruled out pollutants and although the bacterial communities appeared to be different on turtles with lesions, a causative agent was not identified. Attempts to isolate virus in culture was not successful and specific PCRs for ranavirus, papillomavirus, adenovirus and herpesvirus did not identify their presence. Blood biochemical parameters, body condition and activity levels were not significantly different between affected turtles and those without lesions. The turtles in this pond were monitored regularly over the following three years with 249 M. latisternum and 192 E. m. krefftii captured, tagged and released. The prevalence of the lesions fluctuated with season from 0 to 77 and 68% respectively, but did not vary significantly between species or sex in adults. There was a tendency for larger animals to be more likely to have lesions. The position of the lesions on the turtles was mostly on dorsal surfaces, distally on the legs and proximal on the tales of males, indicating that the initial lesion may have been associated with a behaviourally induced trauma. Recaptured animals (n = 43) during this period, provided records of lesion progression over time and while some healed up between capture events, others persisted for up to 24 months. Some turtles were repeatedly captured without lesions. Intra-species aggression associated with seasonal behaviours could potentially be the primary cause of skin trauma, followed by a secondary invasion of an unusual pathogen present in the environment.

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“…Riverine turtles can be particularly susceptible to habitat alteration (Moll & Moll, ; Plummer & Mills, ; Reese & Welsh, ; Reese & Welsh, ) and altered river flows (Tucker, Guarino, & Priest, ; Tracy‐Smith et al, ; Ashton, Bettaso, & Welsh, ; Ocock et al, ) because they require diverse habitats maintained by variable river discharges and flood pulses (Tornabene, Bramblett, Zale, & Leathe, , ). Additionally, river alterations can affect spatial ecology and population genetics (Bennett, Keevil, & Litzgus, ), demographics (Melancon, Angus, & Marion, ), and species richness (Vandewalle & Christiansen, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Riverine turtles select habitats maintained by natural discharge regimes in an unimpounded large river

Tornabene

Jaeger

Bramblett

et al. 2019

River Research & Apps

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Turtle populations are imperiled worldwide, but limited ecological information from unaltered systems hampers science-based management and conservation of some species, especially riverine turtles such as the spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera). We therefore investigated movements and spatial habitat selection of 54 A. spinifera in 633 river kilometres (rkm) of the least-altered river in the conterminous United States-the Yellowstone River in Montana-from 2005 to 2009. Movement rates and home ranges were smaller than in fragmented, altered river systems because nesting and overwintering habitats were common and in close proximity. Habitat selection also differed. A. spinifera in the Yellowstone River overwintered in unaltered bluff pools and summered in complex reaches with side channels, islands, and diverse habitats. However, those in the highly altered Missouri River used deep alluvial pools for overwintering and flooded, inundated, or backwatered tributary mouths in spring and summer. Importantly, selected habitats in both rivers were functionally similar, including complex river reaches (with multiple channels, islands, and diverse habitats) and natural pool types. Unfortunately, these are the very habitats that are limited in rivers affected by dams, bank stabilization, and channelization. Therefore, preservation of natural and diverse riverine habitats-and the fluvial dynamics that maintain them-may enhance conservation of A. spinifera in large rivers.

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Where Lakes Were Once Rivers: Contrasts of Freshwater Turtle Diets in Dams and Rivers of Southeastern Queensland

Cited by 21 publications

References 47 publications

The influence of a new water infrastructure development on the relative abundance of two Australian freshwater turtle species

The influence of a new water infrastructure development on the relative abundance of two Australian freshwater turtle species

Cutaneous Lesions in Freshwater Turtles (Emydura macquarii krefftii and Myuchelys latisternum) in a Rainforest Creek in North Queensland, Australia

Riverine turtles select habitats maintained by natural discharge regimes in an unimpounded large river

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