Files and links (1)
CC BY-NC V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Activity of a freshwater turtle varies across a latitudinal gradient: Implications for the success of assisted colonisation
Functional ecology, Vol.37(7), pp.1897-1909
2023
Abstract
1. The value of assisted colonisation as a response to climate change can only be realised if focal species are well suited to their new habitats. For ectotherms, new habitats must offer microclimates that promote crucial behaviours such as thermoregulation and foraging.
2. The Western swamp turtle Pseudemydura umbrina, a Critically Endangered species from south-western Australia, serves as a global case-study of assisted colonisation in action. Initial trials where juvenile P. umbrina were released into wetter and cooler climates found that individuals spent considerable time at body temperatures that apparently limited their growth.
3. Using high-resolution biologging data (temperature and depth), here we tested if turtle activity is thermally constrained in cooler latitudes by releasing 48 juveniles into seasonal swamps at three sites. One site was core natural habitat, and the other sites were wetlands 380 km apart that offered either warmer or cooler microclimates. Generalised additive mixed models were used to evaluate behaviours and time spent at optimal temperatures for approximately 1 month following release, and growth rates were measured and analysed after release until the end of the hydroperiod 4–5 months later.
4. We found that turtles released into the most poleward (southern) wetland spent significantly less time active and basking and grew significantly less compared to turtles released further north. When analysed together, behavioural and growth datasets showed that activity was positively correlated with growth rates.
5. We conclude that poor growth of turtles in the southern wetland was likely a result of lower body temperatures, stemming from a reduced ability to thermoregulate in water. Consequently, for assisted colonisation of juvenile P. umbrina to be successful, recipient wetlands must offer aquatic microclimates that are sufficiently warm to promote foraging activity that leads to growth, and ultimately to maturation.
Details
- Title
- Activity of a freshwater turtle varies across a latitudinal gradient: Implications for the success of assisted colonisation
- Authors/Creators
- Siobhan Paget - School of Biological Science The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia AustraliaAdrian C. Gleiss - Murdoch UniversityGerald Kuchling - School of Biological Science The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Parks and Wildlife Service Wanneroo Western Australia AustraliaNicola J. Mitchell - School of Biological Science The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia
- Publication Details
- Functional ecology, Vol.37(7), pp.1897-1909
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Society.
- Identifiers
- 991005579409007891
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences; Harry Butler Institute; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Metrics
6 File views/ downloads
62 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology
- 3.35.683 Reptile Ecology
- Web Of Science research areas
- Ecology
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology