Status of the Alligator Snapping Turtle, Macrochelys temminckii, in West Tennessee
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2021
Department
Biological Sciences
School
Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
Abstract
Western alligator snapping turtles, Macrochelys temminckii, have experienced population declines throughout most of their distribution. The present study is the first to systematically sample aquatic habitats of western Tennessee to assess the status and distribution of this species within the state. At the 65 sites sampled, we captured 22 individual alligator snapping turtles from 4 sites, including 1 site where juveniles had been reintroduced more than a decade prior. We conclude that M. temminckii occurs at very low densities in western Tennessee, likely due to historical habitat modification (e.g., channelizing rivers or ditching).
Publication Title
Chelonian Conservation and Biology
Volume
20
Issue
1
First Page
35
Last Page
42
Recommended Citation
Garig, D.,
Ennen, J.,
Hyder, S.,
Simmonds, T.,
Feltmann, A.,
Colvin, R.,
Dennison, J.,
Pearson, L.,
Kreiser, B.,
Sweat, S.,
Davenport, J.
(2021). Status of the Alligator Snapping Turtle, Macrochelys temminckii, in West Tennessee. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 20(1), 35-42.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/18851