Abstract
Once ubiquitous, North American box turtles are experiencing reductions in abundance and range, but the magnitude of these losses is largely unknown. In Missouri, native box turtles (Terrapene mexicana triunguis and Terrapene ornata ornata) are declining across the state due to anthropogenic disturbances such as urbanization, habitat fragmentation, and vehicle collisions. Through radio-tracking over a period of 7 years, we documented the survival of adult three-toed box turtles at two sites in Missouri: Forest Park (urban park) and Tyson Research Center (TRC) (a protected rural forest). Estimated annual survival of adult turtles in Forest Park was 79% (95% CI: 0.68–0.87) while at TRC annual survival was 93% (95% CI: 0.83–0.97). The odds of annual survival for a turtle at TRC were 3.5 times that of a turtle living in Forest Park. “Winter kill,” which refers to box turtles found dead on the surface during brumation or within 2 weeks of emergence, was the most frequently documented category of mortality in Forest Park. At TRC, winter kill was not documented; however, the reasons for most deaths were unknown. These data raise questions about the potential of large urban parks as refuges for box turtles, which we may answer by future studies that compare box turtles living in multiple urban and rural settings. Our preliminary data suggest that even the largest urban parks may not be able to sustain populations of box turtles which has severe implications as urbanization continues to degrade and eliminate box turtle habitat throughout their range.
Highlights
IntroductionThe Chelonia (turtles and tortoises) is the most imperiled vertebrate order, with more than half (61%) of the 356 known species threatened with extinction [1]
The Chelonia is the most imperiled vertebrate order, with more than half (61%) of the 356 known species threatened with extinction [1]
Most studies on box turtle ecology and health have focused on Terrapene carolina carolina; two taxa that occur west of the Mississippi River, Mortality of Missouri Box Turtles
Summary
The Chelonia (turtles and tortoises) is the most imperiled vertebrate order, with more than half (61%) of the 356 known species threatened with extinction [1]. In Missouri, both taxa occur, and despite the state’s relatively low human population density and large tracts of forest and grassland, human impacts are thought to threaten their survival [10,11,12,13]. The extent of population declines for three-toed and ornate box turtles is largely unknown. The range of the threetoed box turtle in Missouri extended across the state, with the species preferring forested landscapes. Ornate box turtles favor the more open prairie habitat. The three-toed box turtle is likely in decline in Missouri due to anthropogenic change. It is not currently listed as a state species of conservation concern, most likely due to data deficiency [14]
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