Meeting Abstract

9.1  Saturday, Jan. 4 08:00  Understanding the effects of seasonal drought and climate change on animal cognition: overland navigation in an aquatic turtle KROCHMAL, A.R.*; ROTH, T.C.; Washington College; Franklin and Marshall College akrochmal2@washcoll.edu

Animals living in changing environments tend to show high levels of plasticity in behavior and cognitive ability. Studies examining the evolution of cognitive abilities seldom compare populations where change is rapid and selection pressures are strong. Terrestrial movements are central to the biology of aquatic turtles, but the frequency and duration of such movements are increasing, due in part to global climate change. While overland movements are critical for survival, we do not understand the impact of climate-induced increases in movement frequency on turtles’ cognitive abilities. Using a model population of Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) that has experienced predictable, rapid, human-induced losses of habitat for over 100 years, we examined the movement patterns during long-distance terrestrial movements to alternative water sources. Resident adults (N=40) follow one of four specific (+/-5 m), directed, and intricate routes to new, far-off (300-1100m) permanent water sources annually; routes are consistent within and among animals and years. Adults translocated to the site (N=30), fail to locate water and move randomly about the habitat. Even when portions of their routes overlap those of residents, translocated animal fail to follow known routes and cannot locate alternative aquatic habitats. Naïve juveniles (both resident and translocated; N=18) however, locate aquatic habitats and do so using the same habitual routes employed by resident adults; juveniles possess this ability until they reach ca. 4 years of age. Overall, our data suggest that experience plays an important role in turtles’ overland navigation and the behavior of naïve juveniles suggests a critical period in learning during development.