Meeting Abstract

P1.25  Jan. 4  Movement and dynamics of an urban Chrysemys picta population HAUGEN, M.D.; LOKKEN, A.A.; MCGARRY, E.A.*; STEYERMARK, A.C.; University of St. Thomas; University of St. Thomas; University of St. Thomas; University of St. Thomas eamcgarry@stthomas.edu

The effects of commercial harvesting on the success and vitality of painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) populations are still widely unknown. A greater knowledge of population dynamics and intra-species relations and movement patterns will allow county officials and environmentalists to better understand and account for these effects. This investigation analyzes trends within a painted turtle population of a small, non-harvested lake in Shoreview, Minnesota. For three summers, we placed basking traps in twelve locations across the lake chosen for their variation in depth and proximity to land. Individuals were marked, and carapace length, plastron length, girth, and mass measurements were taken upon each capture. We estimated population size, sex ratio, and size class distribution, and then analyzed movement and distribution patterns using Geographic Information System (GIS). Preliminary results suggest correlations between gender and movement patterns, and between water depth and population density.