Nest emergence of smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica) hatchlings
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Published source details
Plummer M.V. (2007) Nest emergence of smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica) hatchlings. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 2, 61-64.
Published source details Plummer M.V. (2007) Nest emergence of smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica) hatchlings. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 2, 61-64.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Relocate nests/eggs for artificial incubation: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Action Link |
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Relocate nests/eggs for artificial incubation: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles
A study in 2005–2006 in man-made sandbar habitat in Arkansas, USA (Plummer 2007) found that most smooth softshell turtle Apalone mutica nests moved to an outdoor enclosure for incubation hatched. In total, 314 hatchlings emerged from 26 clutches over two nesting seasons. Fourteen eggs from seven clutches did not hatch and two hatchlings died soon after hatching. Turtle eggs were collected from natural nests in May-June 2005–2006 and reburied in an outdoor enclosure in a laboratory facility (2005: 12 eggs each from 10 clutches; 2006: 10–21 eggs each from 16 clutches). The nesting area was monitored twice daily and videoed continuously in the last predicted week prior to hatching.
(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
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