Suitability of Amphibians and Reptiles for Translocation

Germano, Jennifer M.; Bishop, Phillip J.

doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.01123.x

Cited by 319 publications

(441 citation statements)

References 51 publications

(72 reference statements)

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“…To evaluate the efficacy of a potential head-start-translocation program, it is important to accurately estimate the size of the source population to determine how removal of adults or juveniles may affect population demography. Similarly, because translocation is a drastic measure that has not been widely successful for reptiles in general (Dodd andSeigel 1991, but see Germano andBishop 2009) or box turtles specifically (Doroff and Keith 1990), it is critical to assess the necessity of translocation by first determining whether any individuals remain at sites from which the species is thought to be extirpated. If individuals are observed at such sites, population estimates should be attempted; if no individuals are observed, it is important to know whether the lack of observations is likely due to nondetection of present individuals, or true absence of the species.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A generalized method to determine detectability of rare and cryptic species using the ornate box turtle as a model

Refsnider

Mitchell

Streby

et al. 2011

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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Estimates regarding population parameters are often based on data from surveys. To ensure that such estimates are as accurate as possible, it is important to know the detectability resulting from the particular survey method used. We used radiotelemetry to measure detectability of ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata), using visual-encounter surveys in a sand prairie in northwestern Illinois, USA. We found that the overall detection probability of visual-encounter surveys was 0.03, and our high frequency of nondetection was due to a failure to detect visible turtles rather than turtles being underground or hidden in dense vegetation. Despite the substantial population density at our study site, visual-encounter surveys failed to detect box turtles on most visits, which resulted in a prohibitively high number of surveys that would be required to accurately estimate population size or to infer absence of the species from a site. Our method of using radiotelemetry to measure detection probability of a survey method could be easily applied to other small, cryptic, or rare species. However, our low detection probability and high frequency of nondetections recommend against use of visual-encounter surveys alone in estimating population parameters for ornate box turtles. © 2011 The Wildlife Society. RightsWorks produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted. ABSTRACT Estimates regarding population parameters are often based on data from surveys. To ensure that such estimates are as accurate as possible, it is important to know the detectability resulting from the particular survey method used. We used radiotelemetry to measure detectability of ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata), using visual-encounter surveys in a sand prairie in northwestern Illinois, USA. We found that the overall detection probability of visual-encounter surveys was 0.03, and our high frequency of nondetection was due to a failure to detect visible turtles rather than turtles being underground or hidden in dense vegetation. Despite the substantial population density at our study site, visual-encounter surveys failed to detect box turtles on most visits, which resulted in a prohibitively high number of surveys that would be required to accurately estimate population size or to infer absence of the species from a site. Our method of using radiotelemetry to measure detection probability of a survey method could be easily applied to other small, cryptic, or rare species. However, our low detection probability and high frequency of nondetections recommend against use of visual-encounter surveys alone in estimating population parameters for ornate box turtles. ß 2011 The Wildlife Society.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

A generalized method to determine detectability of rare and cryptic species using the ornate box turtle as a model

Refsnider

Mitchell

Streby

et al. 2011

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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“…The causes of these declines are multi-faceted, but include disease, climate change, invasive species, and habitat loss and alteration [3][4][5]. Strategies to mitigate these declines depend on a variety of factors, but may include translocation of individuals to establish new or augment existing populations [6] and the creation and restoration of breeding habitats [7]. Unfortunately, translocation attempts frequently fail [6], and newly created or restored breeding habitats may go undiscovered by target species [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Conspecific Attraction as a Management Tool across Several Species of Anurans

2018

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Amphibian populations are declining worldwide, with habitat loss and alteration being a primary driver of many declines. Management strategies to mitigate these declines include translocation and creation or restoration of breeding habitats, yet these techniques are not always effective. We examined whether conspecific attraction-a management tool frequently used in avian conservation-would be similarly valuable in management and conservation of anuran amphibians (i.e., frogs and toads). We broadcast conspecific chorus sounds at unoccupied, artificial breeding ponds for six anuran species across three field sites. We documented when frogs arrived at each pool and when eggs were laid. We compared differences in number of pools found with adults and egg masses between playback and control pools and examined latency to first colonization. We found that Mexican spadefoots colonized playback ponds faster and more often than control ponds, while Cope's gray treefrogs, Arizona treefrogs, green frogs, spring peepers, and wood frogs exhibited weak or non-existent responses. We discuss why breeding ecology may influence tendency to exhibit conspecific attraction and how this behavior could be used in amphibian management and conservation.

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Section: Evaluation Of the Rescue And Relocation Programmementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Germano & Bishop (2009) suggested that success and failure rates of relocation were dependent on the taxonomic class (amphibians or reptiles) and conservation efforts within responsible institutions. There is an increase rate of reptile and amphibian translocations from the past 15 years, accounted for a 41% success rate (Germano & Bishop, 2009) compared to only 19% in 1991(Dodd & Seigel, 1991. The result from the rescue programme in the Nam Theun 2 area provided empirical evidence that relocation and translocation programmes for turtle species (freshwater and terrestrial species) could be significantly a success especially in area where their natural habitats were deteriorated by the reservoir creation.…”

Section: Evaluation Of the Rescue And Relocation Programmementioning

confidence: 99%

Rescue and relocation programme of turtles and tortoises and elongated tortoise monitoring programme in the Nam Theun 2 Reservoir (Laos)

Som

Cottet

2015

Hydroécol. Appl.

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-The impoundment of the Nam Theun 2 (NT2) Reservoir on the Nakai Plateau resulted in the creation of a 489 km 2 reservoir at its full supply level. This inundation has generated a modification of the environment e.g. in terms of geomorphology especially for the wetlands and terrestrial ecosystems. Wildlife population including six species of fresh water turtles and tortoises has been expected to be affected by the NT2 Reservoir impoundment. In order to avoid an excessive loss of these populations, a turtle conservation programme (rescue, relocation, and monitoring programmes) was conducted with two distinct phases (i) the first phase started before the reservoir impoundment (January 2008) and ended after the reservoir reached its full supply level (January 2009) and (ii) the second phase (monitoring only) was conducted from August 2008 to January 2009 and from November to December 2009. A total of 490 individuals belonging to four freshwater turtle species and three terrestrial species were rescued and relocated into different selected habitats above the full supply level. This number of rescued individuals exceeded the objectives of the rescue and relocation programme. The monitoring programme's results focused particularly on nine individuals belonging to the elongated tortoise species (Indotestudo elongata). Results showed all nine observed elongated tortoises were successfully surviving. However their annual survival rate declined from 100% during the first phase of the programme to 47% after the two monitoring phases. This annual apparent survival rate was outside the range of the natural annual survival rate of this species (88% to 96%). However, the programme found that this sharp decline might be caused by either an error of transmitters attached on individuals or external threats from poaching. This hypothesis was supported by the fact that the four individuals re-tracked showed good sign of population establishment (e.g. normal increase in body weight).

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Suitability of Amphibians and Reptiles for Translocation

Cited by 319 publications

References 51 publications

A generalized method to determine detectability of rare and cryptic species using the ornate box turtle as a model

A generalized method to determine detectability of rare and cryptic species using the ornate box turtle as a model

Evaluation of Conspecific Attraction as a Management Tool across Several Species of Anurans

Rescue and relocation programme of turtles and tortoises and elongated tortoise monitoring programme in the Nam Theun 2 Reservoir (Laos)

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