Where are the turtles? Looking for Western Chicken Turtles, Deirochelys reticularia miaria, in Mississippi

Turtles are among the world’s most threatened vertebrates, with roughly two-thirds of species listed as threatened or endangered (Buhlmann et al., 2009). Factors such as habitat loss, overharvesting, poaching, disease, and climate change are driving these declines (Stanford et al., 2020), and it is imperative that we carefully monitor turtle populations to determine the extent of declines and prioritize conservation actions for threatened species. Western Chicken Turtles (Deirochelys reticularia miaria Schwartz, 1956) are among the turtles that appear to be experiencing rapid declines. This subspecies is distinct from the other subspecies in morphology (Schwartz, 1956), diet (McKnight et al., 2015c), nesting season (McKnight et al., 2015a, 2018; Carr and Tolson, 2018), and activity season (McKnight et al., 2015a; Bowers 2020). Genetic comparisons are currently limited, but available data also suggest a deep phylogenetic split between the Eastern Chicken Turtle, D. r. reticularia, (Latreille, 1801) and D. r. miaria Schwart, 1956 (Walker and Avise 1998; Hilzinger 2009). Historically, D. r. miaria occurs in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and a small portion of western Mississippi, and the ranges of D. r. miaria and D. r. reticularia are primarily divided by the Mississippi River, which likely acts as a strong barrier to interbreeding

Learned avoidance of trap locations in freshwater turtles

Context. Understanding the effects that learned responses to being captured have on subsequent recapture rates and associated abundance estimates is important for developing accurate descriptions of populations and communities. Although variation in the willingness of individual turtles to be trapped is commonly mentioned in the literature, few studies have experimentally tested learned trap avoidance (or fondness) in turtles. Aims. To determine whether turtles learn to avoid traps, whether repositioning traps will lead to increased capture rates, whether this effect varies among species, and whether such relocations yield more accurate depictions of community structure. Methods. We studied a community of turtles in a small lake in southeastern Kansas that included populations of red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) and common musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus). We trapped the lake for 35 consecutive days by using two concurrently deployed groups of traps. One group remained stationary for the duration of the study, whereas traps comprising the other group were moved to new locations on Day 14 and returned to their original locations on Day 28, thus dividing the trapping season into three periods. Key results. For both species, capture rates declined over time. However, traps in the moved group captured more T. s. elegans than did those in the stationary group during the second period and more S. odoratus during the third period. Traps in the moved group also had higher recapture rates in the second period. Population abundance estimates based on captures from the moved group, the stationary group, and the pool of all captures were similar for T. s. elegans, but for S. odoratus the stationary group of traps produced an abundance estimate much lower than those generated from the moved group and the pool of all captures. Conclusions. Both species exhibited learned avoidance of trap locations, but relocating traps had distinct effects on different species, and the accuracy of the observed community structure was improved by relocating traps. Implications. The movement patterns and catchability of individuals of different species within a community must be taken into consideration when developing trapping protocols. Even high-intensity trapping over a long period may not generate an accurate sample of the community if different species use the spatial environment in substantially different ways and learn to avoid trap locations

Serological diagnosis of brucellosis in goats: comparison of techniques

Goat production is an important item in the agricultural system of Argentina and brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis is considered the main cause reproductive problems in this species. Although definitive diagnosis for this disease is made by isolation of the etiologic agent, but in practice the health status of a herd was evaluated by serological techniques indirect testing. To evaluate and compare the performance of different serological tests for diagnosis of brucellosis in goats, serum samples were analyzed. The following tests were performed: buffered plate antigen (BPA), rose bengal (RB RB 3% and 8%), fluorescence polarization (FPA) and the test tube and 2-mercaptoethanol (SAT/2ME). The validity of each test was determined in a relative manner by combination of indirect ELISA (IELISA) and complement fixation (CF). BPA was the most sensitive test, followed by SAT/2ME, 3% RB, FPA and, finally, RB 8%. FPA test, when used in series with BPA, significantly improved overall specificity. Based on these results it was proposed for brucellosis diagnosis in goats, BPA as a screening test, FPA as complementary test, and FC and IELISA as confirmatory tests. SAT/2ME is recommended only when it is not possible to perform other tests, due to the toxic effects of SAT/2ME reagents.Fil: Cisterna, C. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas (CIC). Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Conde, S. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Hollender, D. CONICET. ArgentinaFil: Martino, P.E. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas (CIC). Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Samartino L. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaLa producción caprina representa un rubro importante dentro del sistema agropecuario de la República Argentina y la brucelosis causada por Brucella melitensis es considerada el motivo principal de los problemas reproductivos en esta especie. El diagnóstico de certeza se realiza aislando el agente etiológico, aunque en la práctica se evalúa el estado sanitario de un hato mediante pruebas serológicas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar y comparar el desempeño de las distintas pruebas serológicas tamíz y complementarias para el diagnóstico de la brucelosis caprina. Para ello, se analizaron muestras de suero de animales sin vacunación, realizando antígeno buferado en placa (BPA), rosa de bengala (RB 3 % y RB 8 %), polarización fluorescente (FPA) y pruebas de tubo y 2 mercaptoetanol (SAT/2ME). La validez de cada prueba se determinó por combinación de ELISA Indirecto (IELISA) y Fijación de Complemento (FC). BPA resultó ser más sensible, seguido de SAT/2ME, RB 3%, FPA y por último RB 8%. Al realizar FPA en serie con BPA mejoró significativamente la especificidad global. Se propone BPA como prueba tamíz, FPA como complementaria y FC e IELISA como confirmatorias. Se recomienda SAT/2ME sólo en los casos en que no sea posible la realización de las otras pruebas debido a los efectos tóxicos de los reactivos empleados para su realización

Good vibrations: A novel method for sexing turtles

The ability to accurately determine the sex of individuals is important for research and conservation efforts. While most species of turtle exhibit secondary sexual dimorphisms that can be used to reliably infer sex, there are some species that are very difficult to sex, and even within many dimorphic species, it is not uncommon to encounter individuals that appear to exhibit both male and female secondary sex characteristics. Therefore, we tested the novel method of using a vibrator to sex turtles by stimulating male turtles to evert their penises. We tested this method on males of four species (three families) with known sexual dimorphisms: spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera; n = 14), western chicken turtles (Deirochelys reticularia miaria; n = 17), Mississippi mud turtles (Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis; n = 10), and common musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus; n = 9). The method accurately sexed 100% of A. spinifera, 64.7% of D. r. miaria, 80.0% of K. s. hippocrepis, and 55.6% of S. odoratus. Despite the low success rates in some species, there are situations in which this method will be useful for researchers working with species that are difficult to sex using external morphological characteristics

Good vibrations: a novel method for sexing turtles

The ability to accurately determine the sex of individuals is important for research and conservation efforts. While most species of turtle exhibit secondary sexual dimorphisms that can be used to reliably infer sex, there are some species that are very difficult to sex, and even within many dimorphic species, it is not uncommon to encounter individuals that appear to exhibit both male and female secondary sex characteristics. Therefore, we tested the novel method of using a vibrator to sex turtles by stimulating male turtles to evert their penises. We tested this method on males of four species (three families) with known sexual dimorphisms: spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera; n = 14), western chicken turtles (Deirochelys reticularia miaria; n = 17), Mississippi mud turtles (Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis; n = 10), and common musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus; n = 9). The method accurately sexed 100% of A. spinifera, 64.7% of D. r. miaria, 80.0% of K. s. hippocrepis, and 55.6% of S.odoratus. Despite the low success rates in some species, there are situations in which this method will be useful for researchers working with species that are difficult to sex using external morphological characteristics

Uncertainties in VS profiles from geophysical tests and their influence on seismic ground response analyses: results from the Interpacific blind test

The InterPACIFIC project is aimed at the assessment of the reliability of different geophysical methods (both invasive and non-invasive) for the estimation of shear wave velocity profiles. Blind tests have been performed in three different subsoil conditions. The observed variability in the results provided by several operators gives a representation of the uncertainties that has to be expected in site characterization. The implications of these uncertainties on ground response analyses are considered in the present paper

Egg and clutch sizes of western chicken turtles (Deirochelys reticularia miaria)

Chicken turtles (Deirochelys reticularia) are generally characterized as having atypical reproductive characteristics relative to other sympatric emydids. However, the comparatively understudied western chicken turtle (D. r. miaria) has been shown to exhibit some reproductive characteristics that differ from the other subspecies. Therefore, we examined clutch and egg sizes from six D. r. miaria (13 clutches) in Oklahoma and compared the results to values that have been reported for the other two subspecies. Females nested up to three times per year, with clutches ranging from 8-13 eggs per clutch (mean = 10.9). The eggs were 19.4-25.3 mm wide (mean = 22.2 mm). These values are greater than the means reported for the other subspecies, but the differences were not statistically significant

The development of post-processing algorithm for the ultrasonic evaluation by the application of automated robotic testing systems

The implementation of automated testing systems based on six degrees of freedom (DOF) robotic manipulators is the actual trend in ultrasonic testing equipment development. Such systems are able to provide a fast ultrasonic evaluation with the respect of the surface of the testing object. In this work, the post-processing algorithm based on Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique (SAFT) is suggested. Such algorithm allows presenting the results in the form of high-resolution imagery of the internal structure of testing objects. The suggested algorithm is applicable in the case of the utilization of automated testing systems based on six DOF robotic manipulators and takes into account all the features conditioned by such equipment application. Performance of the suggested algorithm was tested experimentally

Good vibrations: a novel method for sexing turtles

The ability to accurately determine the sex of individuals is important for research and conservation efforts. While most species of turtle exhibit secondary sexual dimorphisms that can be used to reliably infer sex, there are some species that are very difficult to sex, and even within many dimorphic species, it is not uncommon to encounter individuals that appear to exhibit both male and female secondary sex characteristics. Therefore, we tested the novel method of using a vibrator to sex turtles by stimulating male turtles to evert their penises. We tested this method on males of four species (three families) with known sexual dimorphisms: spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera; n = 14), western chicken turtles (Deirochelys reticularia miaria; n = 17), Mississippi mud turtles (Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis; n = 10), and common musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus; n = 9). The method accurately sexed 100% of A. spinifera, 64.7% of D. r. miaria, 80.0% of K. s. hippocrepis, and 55.6% of S. odoratus. Despite the low success rates in some species, there are situations in which this method will be useful for researchers working with species that are difficult to sex using external morphological characteristics