Abstract
Abstract - Aquatic turtles were trapped using hoop nets in creeks and ponds located in four Ouachita Mountain water-sheds (Little Glazypeau, North Alum, Bread, and South Alum Creeks). These watersheds range in management from one dominated by industrial loblolly pine (
Pinus taeda L.) plantations to one having virtually no management for many decades. Trapping effort consisted of 212 trapnights (192 in streams, 20 in ponds) during July and August 1995 and 1996. There were 63 captures for a success rate of 0.297 captures per trap-night. Captured turtles were individually marked and released. Stream characteristics potentially related to turtle habitat were evaluated at each trapping site. Common snapping turtles (
Chelydra serpentina L.) were the most common species captured, occurring in all watersheds and in both streams and ponds. Five other species were captured, notably the razorback musk turtle (
Sternotherus carinatus Gray), not previously known to occur in Saline County, and the alligator snapping turtle (
Macroclemys temminckii Harlan), an Arkansas protected species. Both species richness and number of captures were highest in the more heavily managed watersheds (Little Glazypeau and North Alum). These are also the largest creeks, so effects of management are obscured. The presence of fire-fighting ponds in these watersheds did increase richness. Excluding recaptures, number of turtles captured in streams was positively correlated (
p = 0.0059) with an index of pool size at the trap site.
Parent Publication
Citation
Phelps, Joseph P. 2004. Aquatic Turtles Of Diversely Managed Watersheds in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-74. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 183-186
