Preliminary Analysis of Habitat Use and Home Range Size in a Long-Lived Ectotherm Vertebrate

Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (GURC): November 1st, 2019 Time: 900 – 1500 Location: University of North Georgia – Gainesville Campus, Oakwood, GA Conference web site: https://ung.edu/undergraduate-research-creative-activities/gurc/index.php/ Authors: K. Bonadie, A. Rittgers, N.L. Hyslop, J.L. Mook Abstract word count: 23

40 - Home Range and Habitat Use of the Eastern Box Turtle

Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (GURC): November 2nd-3rd, 2018 Time: 900 – 1500 Location: University of North Georgia – Gainesville, Ga Conference web site: http://www.gcsu.edu/gurc Authors: A. Rittgers, S. Shea, K. Bonadie; Advisors: N.L. Hyslop, J.L. Mook Home Range and Habitat Use of the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) in the North Georgia Piedmont A. Rittgers, S. Shea, K. Bonadie; Advisors: N.L. Hyslop, J.L. Mook Department of Biology, University of North Georgia The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) is a terrestrial species native to the Eastern United States from New Hampshire to Georgia. Terrapene carolina is experiencing range-wide population decline and is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Despite the species’ status, little research has been conducted regarding home range and habitat use in the Southeastern US. To contribute to the knowledge of the species in this region, we have conducted a radiotelemetry study since 2013 to investigate factors that influence T. carolina movement, survival, and habitat use in the Northeastern Piedmont region of Georgia. The study site is composed of mixed hardwood-pine uplands, primarily comprised of oaks and maples; mesic and upland areas dominated by Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense); beaver-created wetlands; and maintained utility line areas. Our research includes 32 radio-transmitted turtles that are tracked on foot by homing 1-2 times a month. From Spring 2013 to October 2017 we collected an average of 58 radiolocations (range: 1 to 178) per turtle. Home ranges (100% minimum convex polygon) varied from \u3e1 to \u3e10 ha. Radiotracked turtles primarily used mixed-upland areas and regions dominated by L. sinense. Overall, L. sinense was the most prevalent understory vegetation at T. carolina radiolocations. The assessment of habitat use and home ranges will continue throughout 2018 with tracking and further data analysis

Preliminary Analysis of Habitat Use and Home Range Size in a Long- Lived Ectotherm Vertebrate

Habitat loss and fragmentation can create barriers of unusable matrix which can restrict animal movements, potentially impacting population fitness. Invasive plant species contribute to disrupted landscape structure by replacing native vegetation. Changes in habitat composition and resource availability from the presence of invasive plants may have implications for imperiled vertebrate species, particularly long-lived ectotherms given their need for specific thermal conditions influenced by habitat conditions. Thus, long-term research on these species may provide insight into conservation and management practices for invasive-impacted ecosystems. To investigate environmental factors, such as widespread invasive plant species, influencing movement patterns and habitat use, we have conducted a radio-telemetry study on Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina) since 2013. The study site, a 31-hectare plot in the Northeast Georgia Piedmont, is composed of mixed hardwood-pine uplands, areas dominated by Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), beaver-created wetlands, and human maintained areas. Our research includes 36 radio-transmitted turtles located by homing techniques 1-2 times per month, with an average of 60 radiolocations (range: 1 to 199) per turtle. Upon locating, each turtle’s microhabitat use was assessed in a 1.5-meter diameter circular plot by quantifying understory vegetation and other habitat components. Minimum convex polygons were used to estimate annual home ranges, which we relate to microhabitat use. Preliminary analyses show a negative trend between proportion of microhabitat composed of privet and home range size across multiple years. Our data on habitat use, home range and microhabitat structure may help identify factors impacting species persistence and resource use in vulnerable ectothermic populations

36. Preliminary Analysis of Habitat Correlates of Home Range Size in a Long-Lived Ectothermic Species

Habitat loss and fragmentation creates small islands of habitat that can limit wildlife population persistence though habitat alteration from threats such as invasive species and disrupt dispersal for many species. Although research has been conducted to assess these effects on populations of mammals and birds, little of this research has focused on long-lived ectothermic spices.To help address some of these deficiencies, since 2013 we have conducted a radio-telemetry study on a 77 ha. anthropogenically fragmented site to investigate factors that influence Terrapene carolina (Eastern Box Turtle) movement and habitat use in the Northeastern Piedmont region of Georgia. The study site is composed of mixed hardwood-pine uplands, primarily oaks and maples; mesic and upland areas dominated by Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense); beaver-created wetlands; and maintained utility line areas. Our research includes 32 radio-transmitted turtles that are tracked on foot by homing 1-2 times a month, with an average of 57 radiolocations (range: 1 to 179) per turtle. We analyzed home ranges using minimum convex polygons and calculated compositional habitat use within the home ranges for analysis. The assessment of habitat-use and home ranges will continue throughout 2019 with tracking and further data analysis

HOME RANGE AND HABITAT USE OF THE EASTERN BOX TURTLE (TERRAPENE CAROLINA) IN THE NORTH GEORGIA PIEDMONT**

The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) is a terrestrial species native to the Eastern United States from New Hampshire to Georgia. Terrapene carolina is experiencing range-wide population decline and is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Despite the species’ status, little research has been conducted regarding home range and habitat use in the Southeastern US. To contribute to the knowledge of the species in this region, we conducted a radiotelemetry study since 2013 to investigate factors that influence T. carolina movement, survival, and habitat use in the Northeastern Piedmont region of Georgia. The study site is composed of mixed hardwood-pine uplands, primarily comprised of oaks and maples; mesic and upland areas dominated by Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense); beaver-created wetlands; and maintained utility line areas. Radio-transmitted turtles (n=32) were tracked on foot by homing 1-2 times a month. From Spring 2013 to October 2018 we collected an average of 57 radiolocations (range: 1 to 179) per turtle. Home ranges (100% minimum convex polygon) for turtles tracked, with a minimum of 30 radiolocations, averaged 1.31 ha (range 0.04-6.94) ha (n=19). Radiotracked turtles primarily used mixed-upland areas and regions dominated by L. sinense. Overall, L. sinense was the most prevalent understory vegetation at T. carolina radiolocations. The assessment of habitat use and home ranges will continue throughout 2019 with tracking and further data analysis