The nesting ecology of the wood turtle, Glyptemys insculpta, at the northeastern limit of its range

Holman, W. G. (2009). The nesting ecology of the wood turtle, Glyptemys insculpta, at the northeastern limit of its range. https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:615

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Title

The nesting ecology of the wood turtle, Glyptemys insculpta, at the northeastern limit of its range

Author
Holman, Wendy G.
Call Number

LE3 .A278 2009

Date

2009

Supervisor

Mockford, Steve

Degree Grantor

Acadia University

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Degree Level

Honours

Discipline

Biology

Affiliation

Biology

Abstract

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) listed the wood turtle, Glyptemys insculpta, as a threatened species in 2007. Little is known about wood turtle ecology in Nova Scotia, which limits the development of conservation strategies. This study examines the nesting ecology of a central Nova Scotia population of wood turtles. The objectives included describing where and when nesting occurs in the Musquodoboit Watershed, as well as comparing nesting ecology to that of other populations. Several areas were surveyed to identify appropriate nesting habitat, and turtles were closely monitored during the nesting season. All nests were protected with predator exclusion boxes. Morphometric data were obtained from all turtles handled and from all nests encountered. Data analyses examined relationships between female size, clutch size, egg size, and egg viability both within the Musquodoboit Watershed and in comparison to the wood turtle population in the Saint Mary's Watershed. Morphometric measurements from gravid females on Little River in 2008 (in the Musquodoboit Watershed) were not significantly different from ovipositing females on Saint Mary’s River in 2006. Egg length, width, and weight from Little River in 2008 were 35.3 mm (SD=2.4), 23.2 mm (SD=1.6), and 11.1 g (SD=1.9) respectively. These were significantly different from egg length, width, and weight from Saint Mary’s River in 2006. Unfortunately, all of the protected nests were inundated during unusually high water levels in August, resulting in the death of all eggs. This precluded any analysis of incubation time or hatching success. Embryos were examined for developmental deformities. This study has led to a better understanding of the nesting ecology of the species in Nova Scotia, identified critical habitat for nesting, and led to the identification of a population of wood turtles in Nova Scotia that has not been previously studied.

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The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

Permanent Link

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:615

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