Relative vulnerability of female turtles to road mortality

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Steen, D. A.; Aresco, M. J.; Beilke, S. G.; Compton, B. W.; Condon, E. P.; Dodd, C. Kenneth, Jr.; Forrester, H.; Gibbons, J. W.; Greene, J. L.; Johnson, G.; Langen, T. A.; Oldham, M. J.; Oxier, D. N.; Saumure, R. A.; Schueler, F. W.; Sleeman, J. M.; Smith, L. L.; Tucker, J. K.; Gibbs, J. P.

Source:

Animal Conservation, Zoological Society of London, Volume 9, Issue 3, p.269-273 (2006)

Call Number:

A06STE02IDUS

Keywords:

Chelydra serpentina, Chrysemys picta, Glyptemys insculpta, gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus, Painted Turtle, Snapping Turtle, wood turtle

Abstract:

Recent studies suggest that freshwater turtle populations are becoming increasingly male-biased. A hypothesized cause is a greater vulnerability of female turtles to road mortality. The authors evaluated this hypothesis by comparing sex ratios from published and unpublished population surveys of turtles conducted on- versus off-roads. Among 38,166 turtles from 157 studies reporting sex ratios, the authors found a consistently larger female fraction in samples from on-roads (61%) than off-roads (41%). They conclude that female turtles are indeed more likely to cross roadways than males are; this trait may explain recently reported skewed sex ratios near roadways and signify eventual population declines as females are differentially eliminated.

Notes:

ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology