Biomass of Freshwater Turtles: A Geographic Comparison

• Published in: The American midland naturalist 1986-01, Vol.115 (1), p.165-173
• Main Authors: Congdon, Justin D., Greene, Judith L., Gibbons, J. Whitfield
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic habitats; Biomass; Biomass production; Eggs; Freshwater; Habitats; Ponds; Population density; Population estimates; Turtles; Wildlife habitats
• ISSN: 0003-0031; 1938-4238
• DOI: 10.2307/2425846

Standing crop biomass of freshwater turtles and minimum annual biomass of egg production were calculated for marsh and farm pond habitats in South Carolina and in Michigan. The species in South Carolina included Chelydra serpentina, Deirochelys reticularia, Kinosternon subrubrum, Pseudemys floridana, P. scripta and Sternotherus odoratus. The species in Michigan were Chelydra serpentina, Chrysemys picta and Emydoidea blandingi. Biomass was also determined for a single species population of P. scripta on a barrier island near Charleston, South Carolina. Population density and biomass of Pseudemys scripta in Greene Pond on Capers Island were higher than densities and biomass of the entire six-species community studied on the mainland. In both the farm pond and marsh habitat in South Carolina P. scripta was the numerically dominant species and had the highest biomass. In Michigan, Chrysemys picta was the numerically dominant species; however, the biomass of Chelydra serpentina was higher. The three-species community in Michigan in two marshes (58 kg ha-1and 46 kg ha-1) and farm ponds (23 kg ha-1) had lower biomasses than did the six-species community in a South Carolina marsh (73 kg-1). Minimum annual egg production by all species in South Carolina averaged 1.93 kg ha-1and in Michigan averaged 2.89 kg ha-1of marsh.