Investigating Removal as a Control Method for Trachemys scripta elegans and the Response of Chrysemys picta bellii
Start Date
3-11-2024 4:00 PM
Abstract
The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is considered one of the most ubiquitous freshwater turtles globally due to human-mediated introductions into novel environments. Several key ecological advantages and life history traits of this species jointly impact growth rates and survivorship of native freshwater turtles where sympatry occurs. Evaluation of current management outcomes for T. scripta elegans is limited, resulting in a paucity of information to guide management for the species and conservation of declining native freshwater turtles. Further, well-intentioned but under-researched management methodologies can have negative repercussions (e.g., hydra effect, overcompensation), exacerbating the impact of introduced species. Here, we used capture-recapture and removal sampling data from prior managed sites with sympatric populations of T. scripta elegans and native western painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) to examine the effects of control (trapping and removal) of T. scripta elegans. Population models were created to statistically infer abundance estimates for both species at two sites in Portland, Oregon to answer the following questions (1) Do current management actions for T. scripta elegans decrease the species abundance (2) What is the response of C. picta bellii to the removal of T. scripta elegans? Our findings can help guide further management of introduced T. scripta elegans.
Subjects
Animal ecology, Conservation biology, Wildlife biology
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/41406
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License.
Investigating Removal as a Control Method for Trachemys scripta elegans and the Response of Chrysemys picta bellii
The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is considered one of the most ubiquitous freshwater turtles globally due to human-mediated introductions into novel environments. Several key ecological advantages and life history traits of this species jointly impact growth rates and survivorship of native freshwater turtles where sympatry occurs. Evaluation of current management outcomes for T. scripta elegans is limited, resulting in a paucity of information to guide management for the species and conservation of declining native freshwater turtles. Further, well-intentioned but under-researched management methodologies can have negative repercussions (e.g., hydra effect, overcompensation), exacerbating the impact of introduced species. Here, we used capture-recapture and removal sampling data from prior managed sites with sympatric populations of T. scripta elegans and native western painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) to examine the effects of control (trapping and removal) of T. scripta elegans. Population models were created to statistically infer abundance estimates for both species at two sites in Portland, Oregon to answer the following questions (1) Do current management actions for T. scripta elegans decrease the species abundance (2) What is the response of C. picta bellii to the removal of T. scripta elegans? Our findings can help guide further management of introduced T. scripta elegans.