Distribution and Relative Abundance of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis)

Enge, Kevin M.; Stevenson, Dirk J.; Thomas, Travis M.; Johnston, Gerald R.; Jensen, John B.; Stegenga, Benjamin S.; Chandler, Houston C.; Moler, Paul E.

doi:10.2744/ccb-1488.1

Cited by 12 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…1, 2). Despite a few reports, Macrochelys populations are not thought to be established in the Aucilla and Wacissa rivers (Enge et al 2021b, Moler 1996, Pritchard 2006. Insufficient trapping effort, selection of an unproductive stream section, or suboptimal water levels for trapping are likely responsible for our lack of success in other streams.…”

Section: Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and Relative Abundance of Macrochelys (Alligator Snapping Turtles) in the Florida Panhandle

Enge,

Mays,

Thomas

et al. 2023

Southeastern Naturalist

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We trapped 4 large alluvial rivers (Ochlockonee, Apalachicola, Choctawhatchee, and Escambia), 10 of their tributaries, and 22 other streams during 2014–2018 to determine the distribution of Macrochelys (alligator snapping turtles) in the Florida panhandle. We trapped three 5-km sections of the 4 large rivers and 130–1347-m sections of 32 smaller streams. We captured 179 turtles in 855 trap nights (TN) for an overall catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 0.21, recording the first observations from Cypress, Bear, Dry, and Wetappo creeks. We failed to capture Macrochelys in 13 streams but suspect populations occur in most streams of all types between the Sopchoppy and Perdido rivers with adequate water depths and cover in the form of deep holes, undercut banks, or fallen trees. We had low trapping success (CPUE = 0.012) in 243 TN in the Choctawhatchee drainage despite apparently suitable habitat. The male:female ratio was 1.44:1, which was significantly different from 1:1. The 4 large rivers had proportionally larger females than smaller streams.

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Section: Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and Relative Abundance of Macrochelys (Alligator Snapping Turtles) in the Florida Panhandle

Enge,

Mays,

Thomas

et al. 2023

Southeastern Naturalist

Self Cite

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“…These records include a skull collected in 1912 (American Museum of Natural History 69731), feet and tail collected by Wright in 1921 (Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates R-0000217), an individual photographed by Carr (1952), and a large male photographed in 2019 from the Suwannee Canal (Georgia Museum of Natural History 52076) (Fig. 1; Stevenson et al 2021, Enge et al 2021. Other reports of M. suwanniensis from the Okefenokee Swamp exist but cannot be verified through specimens or photographs.…”

Section: Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtles In the Okefenokeementioning

confidence: 99%

“…suwanniensis in the upper Suwannee River (155 trap nights) but have documented small numbers of turtles from several tributaries (Jones Creek, Suwannoochee Creek, and Tom's Creek; Fig. 1; Jensen and Birkhead 2003, Enge et al 2021). The closest record is from Jones Creek, ∼7 km from the mainstem of the Suwannee River.…”

Section: Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtles In the Okefenokeementioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the 1960s, an ~8-km earthen dam, the Suwannee River sill, was constructed on the west side of the swamp at the North Fork of the Suwannee River in an attempt to impound water to prevent wildfires (Loftin et al 2000). The effects of the sill on turtle populations and movement, if any, are unknown (Enge et al 2021). Here, we discuss historic and recent observations, of Macrochelys suwanniensis Thomas, Granatosky, Bourque, Krysko, Moler, Gamble, Suarez, Leone, Enge and Roman (Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle) within the Okefenokee, including the upper reaches of the Suwannee River and its tributaries.…”

Section: Introduction: the Okefenokee Swampmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, we discuss historic and recent observations, of Macrochelys suwanniensis Thomas, Granatosky, Bourque, Krysko, Moler, Gamble, Suarez, Leone, Enge and Roman (Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle) within the Okefenokee, including the upper reaches of the Suwannee River and its tributaries. We compiled records from the literature, our own work (see Enge et al 2021), and searched natural history collection databases (e.g., American Museum of Natural History, Cornell Museum of Vertebrates, Georgia Museum of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, and vertnet. org) for additional records.…”

Section: Introduction: the Okefenokee Swampmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Observations of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle from the Okefenokee Swamp

Stegenga

Stevenson²,

Chandler

2023

Southeastern Naturalist

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Macrochelys suwanniensis (Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle) is restricted to the Suwannee River drainage in Florida and Georgia. Over the last century, there have been scattered reports in the published and gray literature of M. suwanniensis sightings from the Okefenokee Swamp. This large wetland straddles the Georgia–Florida border and serves as the headwaters of the Suwannee River. Here, we discuss historic records of M. suwanniensis within the Okefenokee Swamp, provide details of recent sightings (2000–2021), including an extension of the known distribution to the northern portion of the swamp, and discuss the conservation and management implications of these observations.

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Interactions between inland water‐based recreation and freshwater turtles: A review

Berberi,

Guay,

Bulté

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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Outdoor recreation brings countless benefits to humans. Understanding the inevitable human interactions with nature is essential for conserving the outdoors for years to come. Water‐based recreation in freshwater ecosystems is increasing in popularity, but freshwater biodiversity is in global decline. The aim of this review is to explore the interactions between water users and freshwater turtles during inland water‐based recreation. Thirty articles (most based in North America) were found to study human–turtle interactions during water‐based recreation, 29 of which reported water‐based recreational activities posing negative effects on freshwater turtle populations. Negative, direct effect interactions included boat collisions with turtles and accidental hooking of turtles with fishhooks. Negative, indirect effect interactions included human presence near habitats used by turtles and wake action with subsequent shoreline erosion. One article reported a positive interaction between humans and freshwater turtles when installing a non‐disruptive turtle observation deck. Eleven articles discussed conservation measures to mitigate turtle risks during water‐based recreation, but none evaluated their efficacy. Conservation measures included regulating boat types, sizes and access points, protecting habitats used by turtles, designating ‘no wake’ boating zones, restricting fishing permits, installing turtle basking perches, promoting public awareness and outreach and implementing participatory science and stewardship programmes. Future research on human–freshwater turtle interactions during inland water‐based recreation could explore the efficacy of conservation measures, potential interactions outside of regularly studied boating and fishing activities and recreation‐induced turtle habitat alterations. Also, future research could explore the human dimension side of human–turtle interactions, including perceptions and knowledge from water users on the interactions they experience, and their awareness and actions of pro‐environmental behaviours to protect turtles during water‐based recreation.

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Distribution and Relative Abundance of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis)

Cited by 12 publications

References 24 publications

Distribution and Relative Abundance of Macrochelys (Alligator Snapping Turtles) in the Florida Panhandle

Distribution and Relative Abundance of Macrochelys (Alligator Snapping Turtles) in the Florida Panhandle

Observations of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle from the Okefenokee Swamp

Interactions between inland water‐based recreation and freshwater turtles: A review

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