Turtles and Tortoises Are in Trouble.

Turtles and tortoises (chelonians) have been integral components of global ecosystems for about 220 million years and have played important roles in human culture for at least 400,000 years. The chelonian shell is a remarkable evolutionary adaptation, facilitating success in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Today, more than half of the 360 living species and 482 total taxa (species and subspecies combined) are threatened with extinction. This places chelonians among the groups with the highest extinction risk of any sizeable vertebrate group. Turtle populations are declining rapidly due to habitat loss, consumption by humans for food and traditional medicines and collection for the international pet trade. Many taxa could become extinct in this century. Here, we examine survival threats to turtles and tortoises and discuss the interventions that will be needed to prevent widespread extinction in this group in coming decades.

Phenotypic plasticity of nest timing in a post-glacial landscape: how do reptiles adapt to seasonal time constraints?

Life histories evolve in response to constraints on the time available for growth and development. Nesting date and its plasticity in response to spring temperature may therefore be important components of fitness in oviparous ectotherms near their northern range limit, as reproducing early provides more time for embryos to complete development before winter. We used data collected over several decades to compare air temperature and nest date plasticity in populations of painted turtles and snapping turtles from a relatively warm environment (southeastern Michigan) near the southern extent of the last glacial maximum to a relatively cool environment (central Ontario) near the northern extent of post-glacial recolonization. For painted turtles, population-level differences in reaction norm elevation for two phenological traits were consistent with adaptation to time constraints, but no differences in reaction norm slopes were observed. For snapping turtle populations, the difference in reaction norm elevation for a single phenological trait was in the opposite direction of what was expected under adaptation to time constraints, and no difference in reaction norm slope was observed. Finally, among-individual variation in individual plasticity for nesting date was detected only in the northern population of snapping turtles, suggesting that reaction norms are less canalized in this northern population. Overall, we observed evidence of phenological adaptation, and possibly maladaptation, to time constraints in long-lived reptiles. Where present, (mal)adaptation occurred by virtue of differences in reaction norm elevation, not reaction norm slope. Glacial history, generation time, and genetic constraint may all play an important role in the evolution of phenological timing and its plasticity in long-lived reptiles.

Estrogen response system in the reproductive tract of the male turtle: an immunocytochemical study.

Portions of the reproductive tract of the male (Trachemys scripta) turtle were examined by immunocytochemistry for evidence of the capacity to produce and respond to estrogen hormones (via the expression of P450 aromatase and estrogen receptors). Aromatase was detected in both the Sertoli and Leydig cells of the testis and was expressed at different levels during the spermatogenic cycle, being highest in the quiescent testis and lowest during germ cell meiosis. ERalpha was found in the Leydig cells surrounding the seminiferous tubules as well as in the epithelial cells of the excurrent canals (rete testis, efferent ductule, and epididymis). ERbeta immunoreactivity was found in both the spermatogonia and Sertoli cells in the testis, and in the epithelial cells of excurrent canals.

Energetics of metamorphic climax in the southern toad (Bufo terrestris).

During metamorphic climax, anuran larvae must rely on stored energy because changes in oral and digestive morphology prevent foraging and efficient assimilation. Thus, the time required to store adequate energy for metamorphic climax may set a lower limit on age at which it can occur. Therefore, the amount and type of energy used during metamorphic climax must be determined. To quantify the energetic costs of metamorphic climax in Bufo terrestris, oxygen consumption during climax was measured. Wet mass, dry mass, and lipid mass for a group of individuals at the initiation of climax (forelimb emergence, FL) and for another group at the end of climax (complete tail resorption, TR) were also measured to determine whether lipids were used to fuel metamorphic climax. The total amount of energy used, maintenance costs, and development costs during metamorphic climax varied considerably among individuals. Variation in energy metabolism during climax was not related to differences in energy metabolism during larval development or body mass at initiation of climax. TR individuals were significantly lighter in terms of wet mass and had less body water than FL individuals. However, the two groups did not differ in dry mass or lipid mass. Therefore, lipid catabolism is not a major source of energy during metamorphic climax in B. terrestris. As a result, decreases in age at metamorphosis may not be constrained by the need to store energy in the form of lipids.

Testing hypotheses of aging in long-lived painted turtles (Chrysemys picta).

For 38 of the past 50 years, Painted Turtles were studied on the University of Michigan's E.S. George Reserve in southeastern Michigan. We compared age specific body sizes, reproductive traits and survival of Painted Turtles ranging from 9 to 61 years of age to test contrasting predictions of the Relative Reproductive Rate and Senescence Hypotheses of aging. Indeterminate growth (i.e. continued body growth of adults) was important in increasing reproductive output of older turtles; however, growth rate of the oldest age-group was reduced compared to that of younger adults. Although clutch size and among year reproductive frequency did not increase with age, within year reproductive frequency (production of second clutches), egg size, and hatchling size did. Nest predation rates and the proportion of surviving nests that produced hatchlings were similar among age groups, and embryo mortality in nests was not related to age. Survivorship of males was less than that of females, and survivorship of the oldest group of females was not statistically different from that of a younger group of females. No decline in reproductive output or survivorship was detected in the oldest females as predicted by the Senescence Hypothesis. Thus, the majority of data on reproductive traits and survivorship support the Relative Reproductive Rate Hypothesis. We also compared Painted Turtles to Blanding's Turtles, another species studied on the E.S. George Reserve. That Painted Turtles exhibit indeterminate growth whereas Blanding's Turtles do not, appears to be a primary mechanism for some differences between species in the relationships between reproductive traits and age. An important mechanism for increasing reproductive output in both species was increased reproductive frequency in older females. Painted Turtles also increased offspring quality (egg and hatchling size) with age, whereas Blanding's Turtles did not. Compared to younger individuals, there was no reduction in survivorship in the oldest Painted Turtles and survivorship increased in the oldest Blanding's Turtles.

Cytological evaluation of spermatogenesis and organization of the germinal epithelium in the male slider turtle, Trachemys scripta.

The germ cell development in the slider turtle (Trachemys scripta) testis was investigated by viewing the histology of the seminiferous epithelium in plastic sections with a light microscope. Germ cell morphologies in the slider turtle testis were similar to the morphologies of other vertebrate germ cell types. However, the slider turtle seminiferous epithelium contained germ cells that progress through spermatogenesis in a temporal rather than a spatial pattern, resulting in a single spermatogenic event that climaxed with one massive sperm release in November. Mature sperm then are stored within the epididymis until breeding commences in the following spring. The germ cell development strategy in the slider turtle is different from that of other amniotes and is more reminiscent of the developmental strategy found in the anamniotic testis. This temporal progression of germ cells through spermatogenesis within a tubular testis represents a transitional model that may be evolutionarily significant.

Ecotoxicological implications of aquatic disposal of coal combustion residues in the United States: a review.

We provide an overview of research related to environmental effects of disposal of coal combustion residues (CCR) in sites in the United States. Our focus is on aspects of CCR that have the potential to negatively influence aquatic organisms and the health of aquatic ecosystems. We identify major issues of concern, as well as areas in need of further investigation. Intentional or accidental release of CCR into aquatic systems has generally been associated with deleterious environmental effects. A large number of metals and trace elements are present in CCR, some of which are rapidly accumulated to high concentrations by aquatic organisms. Moreover, a variety of biological responses have been observed in organisms following exposure to and accumulation of CCR-related contaminants. In some vertebrates and invertebrates, CCR exposure has led to numerous histopathological, behavioral, and physiological (reproductive, energetic, and endocrinological) effects. Fish kills and extirpation of some fish species have been associated with CCR release, as have indirect effects on survival and growth of aquatic animals mediated by changes in resource abundance or quality. Recovery of CCR-impacted sites can be extremely slow due to continued cycling of contaminants within the system, even in sites that only received CCR effluents for short periods of time. The literature synthesis reveals important considerations for future investigations of CCR-impacted sites. Many studies have examined biological responses to CCR with respect to Se concentrations and accumulation because of teratogenic and reproductively toxic effects known to be associated with this element. However, the complex mixture of metals and trace elements characteristic of CCR suggests that biological assessments of many CCR-contaminated habitats should examine a variety of inorganic compounds in sediments, water, and tissues before causation can be linked to individual CCR components. Most evaluations of effects of CCR in aquatic environments have focused on lentic systems and the populations of animals occupying them. Much less is known about CCR effects in lotic systems, in which the contaminants may be transported downstream, diluted or concentrated in downstream areas, and accumulated by more transient species. Although some research has examined accumulation and effects of contaminants on terrestrial and avian species that visit CCR-impacted aquatic sites, more extensive research is also needed in this area. Effects in terrestrial or semiaquatic species range from accumulation and maternal transfer of elements to complete recruitment failure, suggesting that CCR effects need to be examined both within and outside of the aquatic habitats into which CCR is released. Requiring special attention are waterfowl and amphibians that use CCR-contaminated sites during specific seasons or life stages and are highly dependent on aquatic habitat quality during those periods. Whether accidentally discharged into natural aquatic systems or present in impoundments that attract wildlife, CCR appears to present significant risks to aquatic and semiaquatic organisms. Effects may be as subtle as changes in physiology or as drastic as extirpation of entire populations. When examined as a whole, research on responses of aquatic organisms to CCR suggests that reducing the use of disposal methods that include an aquatic slurry phase may alleviate some environmental risks associated with the waste products.

Effects of chronic dietary exposure to trace elements on banded water snakes (Nerodia fasciata).

Little currently is known about the accumulation or effects of contaminants on reptiles. To date, most studies examining reptile exposure to trace elements report tissue burdens of field-captured animals, but seldom provide insight into the dose, duration, or mode of exposure involved. For two years, we fed juvenile banded water snakes (Nerodia fasciata) prey items collected from a coal ash-contaminated site that contained elevated levels of As, Cd, Cu, Se, Sr, and V. With the exception of Cu, snakes accumulated significant concentrations of elements, usually in a dose-dependent manner. Accumulation varied significantly among liver, kidney, and gonads, and in most cases between sexes. Selenium accumulation was most notable, greatly exceeding established toxicity thresholds for other vertebrates. Despite the high concentrations of pollutants accumulated, snakes exposed to the contaminated diet survived through the study and exhibited normal food consumption, growth, condition factor, overwinter survival and mass loss, metabolic rate, and gonadosomatic index. The results of this study confirm that diet can be a significant route of exposure to trace elements in snakes and indicate that further studies on snakes are warranted to better understand their responses to contaminants.

The relationship of body size to survivorship of hatchling snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina): an evaluation of the "bigger is better" hypothesis.

In many organisms, body size is positively correlated with traits that are presumably related to fitness. If directional selection frequently favors larger offspring (the "bigger is better" hypothesis), the results of such selection should be detectable with field experiments. We tested the "bigger is better" hypothesis in hatchling snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) by conducting one long-term and three short-term experiments on the University of Michigan E.S. George Reserve in southeastern Michigan. In the fall of 1995 and 1996, we released hatchlings at artificial nests separated from the nearest wetland by fences. We recorded the proportion of hatchlings recaptured, the time it took hatchlings to move to fences from artificial nests 45, 55, and 80 m away, and dispersion along the fence. We determined whether the response variables and probability of recapture at fences were associated with hatchling body size. During 1995, average travel times of hatchlings from the experimental nests were not related to distance from the fence; however, time to recapture was positively correlated with dispersion from the zero point on the fence, and the maximum time to reach the fence was almost twice as long for hatchlings from the 80-m nest compared to those from the 45-m nest. Sixty-seven percent of the hatchlings reached the fence and the proportions doing so from each nest were not different. Body size was not significantly related to probability of recapture in either of the 1995 experiments. In 1996, 59% of released hatchlings were recaptured. Time to recapture was not related to dispersion from the zero point or to body size. Cubic spline analysis suggested stabilizing selection on body size. We also conducted a set of long-term hatchling release experiments between 1980-1993 to compare the survival of hatchlings released at nest sites to that of hatchlings released directly into marshes, and we looked for relationships between survivorship and hatchling body size. During 7 years in which more than 30 hatchlings were released, 413 hatchlings were released directly into the marsh and 262 were released at nests: their probability of survival did not differ. Over all years, for both release groups combined and for each group separately, survival was not related to body size. In 1983 alone, survival was also not related to body size for either group or for both groups combined. In our three short-term experiments and one long-term experiment, we found no evidence to support the "bigger is better" hypothesis. When selection on body size did occur, selection was stabilizing, not directional for larger size.

ANNUAL DIFFERENCES IN FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS AFFECT SPATIAL AND COHORT-SPECIFIC GENOTYPIC HETEROGENEITY IN PAINTED TURTLES.

Long-term ecological data were used to evaluate the relative importance of movements, breeding structure, and reproductive ecological factors to the degree of spatial and age-specific variation in genetic characteristics of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) on the E. S. George Reserve in southeastern Michigan. Estimates of the degree of spatial genetic structuring were based on the proportion of total genotypic variance partitioned within and between subpopulations (inferred from hierarchical F-statistics based on variation at 18 protein loci), and in terms of gene correlations (co-ancestry among individuals derived from reproductive data on full-sib families of females nesting at specific nesting areas). Little variation in allele frequency was observed among turtles from different marshes (Fmt = 0.003), though significant variation was observed among turtles from different nesting areas associated with each marsh (Fnm = 0.046). Gene correlations among individuals within nesting areas varied greatly over years (0.032-0.171; mean = 0.069) and were negatively correlated to the proportion of females that successfully nested during each year. General concordance between independent estimates of genotypic correlations (i.e., Fnm derived from protein electrophoretic variation vs. mean co-ancestry) suggests that allozyme data, when collected over spatial scales consistent with species behavioral characteristics and reproductive ecology, may accurately reflect the apportionment of gene diversity within and among subpopulations. The magnitude and patterning of allelic variation among nesting areas and individuals appears to be primarily a function of gametic correlations among members of full-sib families, irrespective of the degree of gene flow or female nesting-site fidelity. Comparisons of genetic characteristics among 11 cohorts (1974-1984) revealed that heterozygosity (H) and inbreeding coefficients (F) varied greatly. Cohort estimates of H and F were correlated to female nesting success and to estimates of co-ancestry for the same years. Results clearly reflect the concomitant importance of ecological factors (principally the proportion of the female population that successfully produce offspring during each year) in determining the magnitude and patterning of gene correlations within and among groups, and to the genotypic composition of offspring born during each year.