Original scientific paper
Interactions between Emys orbicularis and allochthonous turtles of the family Emydidae at basking places
Andreas Kleewein
; University of Vienna, Department of Integrative Zoology, Althanstraße 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
Abstract
There are frequent remarks in literature of the supposed negative effects of Trachemys scripta elegans on Emys orbicularis. These competition effects pertain, in particular, to the securing of ideal basking places. A study under near-natural conditions now paints a different picture. Seven Emys orbicularis individuals were placed in an enclosure with 67 allochthonous turtles of 12 different species belonging to the family Emydidae. All interactions regarding basking places were recorded. Of a total of 149 interactions, 105 (70.5%) were neutral and therefore without consequence. Of the 44 negative interactions (29.5%), 19 had a negative result for E. orbicularis while 25 were negative for the allochthonous species. The study therefore indicates that there are no negative consequences of allochthonous species on E. orbicularis regarding behavior at basking places. A comparison of basking place selection revealed that allochthonous species are opportunistic compared to E. orbicularis. In a total of 124 observed cases, E. orbicularis selected half-shaded wood most frequently, followed by fully sun exposed wood and fully sun exposed rocks. During 42 recordings, basking duration of E. orbicularis at a given place ranged from 2 to 200 minutes, averaging 37 minutes.
Keywords
Emydidae; interactions; basking place; basking place preference
Hrčak ID:
147157
URI
Publication date:
31.7.2015.
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