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1 September 2004 Demography of a Southern Population of the Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)
Jacqueline D. Litzgus, Timothy A. Mousseau
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Abstract

The Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) is declining throughout its range in eastern North America as a result of habitat loss and collection for the pet trade. Although the species has been relatively well-studied in the northern part of its range, little is known about southern populations. We conducted a four-year study on a population of Spotted Turtles in South Carolina. A total of 44 turtles were captured: 21 females, 17 males, 5 juveniles, and 1 hatchling. There was no size dimorphism with respect to carapace length. However, females had longer plastrons, greater shell heights, and heavier body masses than males, likely as a result of the concavity of the male plastron. The adult sex ratio did not differ from 1:1. Estimated adult population size varied annually from 31 to 36 turtles, and density was estimated at 0.36 turtles/ha. This information is important for the creation of management plans to conserve populations across the Spotted Turtle's range.

Jacqueline D. Litzgus and Timothy A. Mousseau "Demography of a Southern Population of the Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)," Southeastern Naturalist 3(3), 391-400, (1 September 2004). https://doi.org/10.1656/1528-7092(2004)003[0391:DOASPO]2.0.CO;2
Published: 1 September 2004
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