STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE, MACROCHELYS TEMMINCKII, IN OKLAHOMA

Although historic records of the alligator snapping turtle, Macrochelys temminckii, show a past distribution throughout eastern Oklahoma, little is known about the current status and distribution of this species in the state. In 1997, surveys were initiated to identify extant populations of M. temmi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Southwestern naturalist 2005-03, Vol.50 (1), p.79-84
Main Authors: Riedle, J. Daren, Shipman, Paul A, Fox, Stanley F, Leslie, David M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alligators
Conservation biology
Creeks
Freshwater
Macrochelys temminckii
Macroclemys temminckii
Riverine habitats
Snapping turtles
Species
Turtles
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife ecology
Wildlife refuges
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Summary:Although historic records of the alligator snapping turtle, Macrochelys temminckii, show a past distribution throughout eastern Oklahoma, little is known about the current status and distribution of this species in the state. In 1997, surveys were initiated to identify extant populations of M. temminckii and assess their relative densities and viability. We surveyed 67 sites in 15 counties, with a total effort of 1,085 net nights. A total of 63 M. temminckii was captured at 11 sites, which are only in the southeastern quarter of the state and occur only in protected or isolated locations. Because of this apparent decrease of the range of this species in Oklahoma and because so few sites exhibited capture rates high enough to suggest possible healthy populations, we conclude that dramatic population declines of M. temminckii have taken place in Oklahoma. Possible reasons for these declines include overharvest and habitat alteration. Aunque los registros históricos de la tortuga Macrochelys temminckii demuestran una distribución anterior en todo el este de Oklahoma, no se sabe mucho del estatus y distribución actual de la especie en el estado. En 1997, se iniciaron muestras para identificar poblaciones actuales de M. temminckii y para evaluar sus abundancias relativas y viabilidad. Muestreamos 67 sitios en 15 condados con un esfuerzo total de 1,085 red-noches. Un total de 63 M. temminckii fue capturado en 11 sitios, que se ubican solamente en el cuarto sureste del estado y se encuentran solamente en localidades protegidas o aisladas. Debido a esta aparente disminución de la distribución de esta especie en Oklahoma y debido a que sólo unos cuantos sitios mostraron tasas de captura tan altas para sugerir poblaciones saludables, concluimos que declines dramáticos de M. temminckii han ocurrido en Oklahoma. Las razones posibles para los declines incluyen la casería excesiva y la alteración del hábitat.
ISSN:0038-4909
1943-6262
DOI:10.1894/0038-4909(2005)050<0079:SADOTA>2.0.CO;2