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

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