January 25, 2008
Sonora Mud Turtle
Competition is not always a good thing! The Sonora Mud Turtle, a denizen of Montezuma's Well, faces competition from the non-native red-eared slider. The invading red-eared sliders, which are larger and more aggressive than their native cousins, were likely introduced as unwanted pets. Researchers are collecting and releasing or relocating both species in an attempt to restore ecological balance to Montezuma's well. Remember that the release of any non-native species can seriously impact the ecosystem of that area.
Read the entire article from the Arizona Daily Sun:
Sonora mud turtle lives 45 minutes south
By SHEILA MADRAK
Animal Instincts
Monday, November 12, 2007
I am what some might call a "turtle person," a member of the larger group of "turtle people." No matter where turtle people go, we tend to find each other.
Since moving to Flagstaff, I was fortunate enough to meet Dr. Jeffrey Lovich, turtle person extraordinaire. Dr. Lovich is the Deputy Director for the USGS Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC; http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov), the newest science center for the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Biological Resources Discipline located right here in Flagstaff. Dr. Lovich is currently working on a project to assess a population of Sonora mud turtles (Kinosternon sonoriense) located at Montezuma Well, only 45 minutes from Flagstaff.
The Montezuma Well study is a fully collaborative project between staff of the USGS Southwest Biological Science Center (Dr. Jeffrey Lovich, Dr. Charles Drost, and A.J. Monatesti), Montezuma Castle National Monument (especially Dennis Casper), and the Western National Parks Association. The project focuses on two particular species: native Sonora mud turtles and non-native red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta).
The Sonora mud turtle is not very well-known, despite its widespread distribution from central Arizona to Durango, Mexico and southeastern California to west Texas. It is the only turtle native to Montezuma Well and the nearest turtle to Flagstaff. Sonora mud turtles are easily identified by a smooth, elongated carapace (upper shell) and typically uniform light-brown or yellowish-brown color. Recently (within the last 20 years or so) the population of Sonora mud turtles in Montezuma Well has faced competition from a non-native invader, the red-eared slider.
Scientists believe that the first of the red-eared sliders in Montezuma Well were probably released as unwanted pets; numbers have grown through more pet-releases into the Well and mating between released pets.
The study and those involved hope that efforts to remove non-native sliders will help re-establish balance to the ecosystem at Montezuma Well. The project focuses on collecting and releasing or relocating both species of turtle, through the use of non-lethal, baited hoop traps. Captured Sonora mud turtles are given a unique marking, measured, aged and examined before a re-release into the water of the Well. The same procedure is used for captured red-eared sliders, except they are removed from the Well. Removal of sliders is important to the fragile ecosystem of Montezuma Well. Red-eared sliders are larger (twice the size) and more aggressive than Sonora mud turtles, probably out-competing the mud turtles for food and basking sites.
Last week, I accompanied Dr. Lovich and Dr. Drost to see the study site and help clean up for the off-season. Trapping at the Well is conducted from spring through early fall, so in-situ traps are removed when they are not regularly checked. It was my first trip to Montezuma Well and I was awestruck by this unique habitat.
The Sonora mud turtle population at the Well is incredibly lucky to live in such a spectacular place. I was told that the project, thus far, has collected 117 Sonora mud turtles and seven red-eared sliders. The sliders are more difficult to catch, but several of the collected sliders were gravid (with eggs). Removal of gravid females is especially crucial to help decrease and eliminate the red-eared slider population in Montezuma Well.
Public awareness of the Montezuma Well study is important, not only for the Sonora mud turtles and the health of the Well, but for native species everywhere. Release (intentional or not) of pets and non-native species into an area have serious negative effects on the ecosystem of that area. Pet reptiles are all too commonly released when they outgrow or outlive the expectations of their owners.
Many of these animals are released into environments that are not suitable; the animals either adapt or die. When they adapt, they often out-compete native species and can cause serious damage to the environment. If you have a pet reptile that you can no longer keep, bring it to a local shelter or contact a rescue group in your area rather than discard it into the wild.
For more information about the Montezuma Well Sonora Mud Turtle Study, contact Dr. Jeffrey Lovich (jeffrey_lovich@usgs.gov) or Dr. Charles Drost (charles_drost@usgs.gov).
Sheila Madrak is the Community Relations Representative for Coconino Humane Association. She can be reached at animal.instincts08@gmail.com.