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Differences in locomotor performances between two sympatric species of freshwater turtles

Differences in locomotor performances between two sympatric species of freshwater turtles Animals whose ecological niches largely overlap within a habitat can get into intra-specific and/or inter-specific competition for some of the limited resources available. We hypothesise that differences in locomotor abilities might be a key component deciding which individual will gain the resource, especially in animals with limited agility, such as turtles. To address this hypothesis, we tested self-righting ability and releasing from a vegetation alike rope in two sympatric populations of turtles: Emys orbicularis and Mauremys rivulata. All individuals managed to complete the tests promptly (≤ 103 s). When overturned on their carapace, E. orbicularis had shorter inspecting time, as well as overturning time, indicating slight advantage in self-righting. On the other hand, both species were equally efficient to release from a rope attached to the front of their plastron. The inter-specific morphological differences indicate that muscular strength might be a good predictor of competitive relations among syntopic turtle species. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png acta ethologica Springer Journals

Differences in locomotor performances between two sympatric species of freshwater turtles

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References (28)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) under exclusive licence to ISPA, CRL 2023
ISSN
0873-9749
eISSN
1437-9546
DOI
10.1007/s10211-023-00420-w
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Animals whose ecological niches largely overlap within a habitat can get into intra-specific and/or inter-specific competition for some of the limited resources available. We hypothesise that differences in locomotor abilities might be a key component deciding which individual will gain the resource, especially in animals with limited agility, such as turtles. To address this hypothesis, we tested self-righting ability and releasing from a vegetation alike rope in two sympatric populations of turtles: Emys orbicularis and Mauremys rivulata. All individuals managed to complete the tests promptly (≤ 103 s). When overturned on their carapace, E. orbicularis had shorter inspecting time, as well as overturning time, indicating slight advantage in self-righting. On the other hand, both species were equally efficient to release from a rope attached to the front of their plastron. The inter-specific morphological differences indicate that muscular strength might be a good predictor of competitive relations among syntopic turtle species.

Journal

acta ethologica – Springer Journals

Published: Jun 1, 2023

Keywords: Emys orbicularis; European pond turtle; Mauremys rivulata; Balkan pond turtle; Self-righting; Inspecting time

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