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Variation in nesting patterns affecting nest temperatures in two populations of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) with temperature-dependent sex determination

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Abstract

Mechanisms maintaining sex ratios in populations with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) remain elusive. Although geographic variation in embryonic sex determination (i.e., pivotal temperature) has been widely investigated in reptiles exhibiting TSD, no previous studies have directly addressed geographic variation in maternal behavior affecting nest thermal conditions. I evaluated patterns of nest-site selection and its effects on thermal and hydric nest conditions for a population of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) exhibiting TSD in New Mexico. These results are compared to data collected from a well-studied, conspecific population experiencing relatively cooler climatic conditions in Illinois. Since canopy vegetation cover reduces nest temperatures in Illinois, I expected females in New Mexico to nest under high amounts of canopy vegetation cover. However, females from New Mexico placed nests under significantly less canopy vegetation cover, but closer to standing water, than did females from Illinois. Experimental nests in New Mexico demonstrated that increased canopy vegetation cover and soil moisture reduced nest temperatures. By nesting close to standing water rather than under canopy vegetation cover, females in New Mexico nested in habitats more closely associated with maximizing moisture around nests rather than reducing nest temperatures through shading. Mean July nest temperatures were similar for both populations. Since nest hydric conditions affect hatching success and hatchling size in C. picta, nesting patterns in New Mexico may primarily reflect selection for microhabitats affecting offspring survivorship or size.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the Bosque del Apache Refuge staff, especially Phil Norton, Mike Oldham, and John Taylor for enabling research on the refuge and their hospitality at Refuge quarters and use of a vehicle. I also especially thank Fred Janzen for loaning the temperature loggers, access to the long-term dataset in Illinois, and helpful comments on the manuscript, Ralph Ackerman for use of soil corers, Wilmar Morjan for comments on the manuscript, and James N. Stuart for equipment and field assistance. Female turtles and eggs in New Mexico were handled in accordance with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Authorization No. 3040, and Special Use Permits obtained from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department at the Bosque del Apache Refuge. Research at the Thomson Causeway Recreation Area was also conducted in accordance to Special Use Permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and scientific permits from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to Fredric J. Janzen. Turtles from both sites were handled in accordance with Iowa State University Committee for Care and Use of Animals in Research Protocols. This research was made possible by a NSF Predoctoral Fellowship, a Gaige Award from the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, and Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid to C.M., and data from Illinois were funded by NSF grant DEB-9629529 to Fredric J. Janzen.

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  1. Carrie L. Morjan

    Present address: Department of Biology, Indiana University, Jordan Hall 142, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA

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  1. Department of Zoology and Genetics, Iowa State University, 339 Science II, Ames, IA 50011–3223, USA

    Carrie L. Morjan

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  1. Carrie L. Morjan
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Correspondence to Carrie L. Morjan.

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Communicated by S. Krackow

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Morjan, C.L. Variation in nesting patterns affecting nest temperatures in two populations of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) with temperature-dependent sex determination. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 53, 254–261 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-002-0570-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-002-0570-3

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