Mitigation-driven translocation effects on temperature, condition, growth, and mortality of Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in the face of solar energy development
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Published source details
Brand L.A., Farnsworth M.L., Meyers J., Dickson B.G., Grouios C., Scheib A.F. & Scherer R.D. (2016) Mitigation-driven translocation effects on temperature, condition, growth, and mortality of Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in the face of solar energy development. Biological Conservation, 200, 104-111.
Published source details Brand L.A., Farnsworth M.L., Meyers J., Dickson B.G., Grouios C., Scheib A.F. & Scherer R.D. (2016) Mitigation-driven translocation effects on temperature, condition, growth, and mortality of Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in the face of solar energy development. Biological Conservation, 200, 104-111.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Translocate reptiles away from threats: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Action Link |
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Translocate reptiles away from threats: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles
A controlled study in 2010–2014 in desert scrubland in southern California, USA (Brand et al. 2016) found that Mojave desert tortoises Gopherus agassizii translocated away from an energy plant and held in captivity for two years had similar annual mortality risk, but higher body temperatures in the first year after release, compared to wild resident tortoises. Mortality risk was similar between translocated tortoises (5% mortality/year) and wild resident tortoises (3–5% mortality/year). Translocated tortoises had higher average maximum daily body temperatures (36.8°C) compared to wild resident tortoises (35.9°C) in the first year after translocation and spent more time above 35°C (113 minutes) than resident tortoises (76–84 minutes). Translocated tortoise temperatures were similar to wild resident tortoises in the second and third year after translocation (see paper for details). In October 2010, tortoises were collected from near a thermal energy plant and maintained in captivity until April 2012, when they were released into an 8,798 ha area adjacent to the energy plant (<500 m from the centre of their previous home range). Translocated tortoise survival and body temperatures were compared to resident tortoises in the release area and resident tortoises from two nearby areas with similar habitat (resident tortoises caught for monitoring in spring–autumn 2011). All tortoises (351 total individuals) were radio-tracked in April–September 2012–2014 and a subset (55 translocated, 73 residents in release area, 87 nearby residents) were fitted with temperature loggers which were monitored between April 2012–September 2014.
(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
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