Event Title
Poster: Initial Assessment of a Red-Eared Slider Invasion in a Southeastern Massachusetts Pond
Location
Moakley Atrium
Start Time
10-5-2017 4:00 PM
End Time
10-5-2017 5:00 PM
Description
Trachemys scripta (Red-Eared Slider Turtles), native to waters of the Mississippi River valley, became introduced and established outside of its native range. One of the world’s worst invasive species, T. scripta has been reported in waters of Massachusetts. This study aimed to document the level of invasion in Little Long Pond (Plymouth MA), compare population demographics with two native turtles, Chrysemys picta and Pseudemys rubriventris, in the same pond, and assess the possible impact the alien species may have on the long-term fitness of the two native species. In 2016, 41 turtles were captured. Based on capture-recapture findings, more native individuals are present. Research indicates several competitive advantages of Trachemys over the native turtles in Little Long Pond, in terms of body size, agonistic basking and feeding behaviors, earlier maturation, and higher fecundity. The presence of the exotic species in Little Long Pond potentially threatens natural populations of the natives.
Poster: Initial Assessment of a Red-Eared Slider Invasion in a Southeastern Massachusetts Pond
Moakley Atrium
Trachemys scripta (Red-Eared Slider Turtles), native to waters of the Mississippi River valley, became introduced and established outside of its native range. One of the world’s worst invasive species, T. scripta has been reported in waters of Massachusetts. This study aimed to document the level of invasion in Little Long Pond (Plymouth MA), compare population demographics with two native turtles, Chrysemys picta and Pseudemys rubriventris, in the same pond, and assess the possible impact the alien species may have on the long-term fitness of the two native species. In 2016, 41 turtles were captured. Based on capture-recapture findings, more native individuals are present. Research indicates several competitive advantages of Trachemys over the native turtles in Little Long Pond, in terms of body size, agonistic basking and feeding behaviors, earlier maturation, and higher fecundity. The presence of the exotic species in Little Long Pond potentially threatens natural populations of the natives.