Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Date of Graduation
5-6-2021
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1778-5380
Publish
yes
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Department
Department of Biology
Advisor(s)
Grace Wyngaard
David McLeod
Patrice Ludwig
Abstract
The Red-eared Slider, Trachemys scripta is an invasive species responsible for declines in turtle species across the world. Trachemys scripta is native to two parts of southern Virginia but the species has been introduced throughout the rest of the state, often related to the release of pet trade animals. This study aimed to identify the extent of Trachemys scripta’s establishment and impact on native species in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Turtles were trapped in a mark-recapture study during the springs and summers of 2018, 2019, and 2020 in four local ponds in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Cormack-Jolly-Seber population models were constructed using data collected in 2018 and 2019 for two species, Trachemys scripta and Chrysemys picta, which revealed slightly larger populations of Chrysemys picta than Trachemys scripta. Turtle populations in the local ponds were observed to increase after a large-scale die-off in 2018. Trachemys scripta appears to be established and capable of spread in Harrisonburg, with large, persistent population sizes, reproduction over multiple years, and documented movement between ponds. However, it is unclear how or if Trachemys scripta may negatively impact native species as its main potential competitor, Chrysemys picta also appeared to have healthy populations and was even more abundant that Trachemys scripta.
Recommended Citation
Weisenbeck, David R., "Population study of native and invasive turtles in Harrisonburg, Virginia" (2021). Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current. 122.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/honors202029/122
