Amur Softshell Turtle (<i>Pelodiscus maackii</i>) Population Size, Structure, and Spatial Distribution
Freshwater turtle species preservation relies on understanding their population dynamics and geographical distribution. Amur softshell turtles (ASTs [<i>Pelodiscus maackii</i>]) are poorly protected due to insufficient awareness and the population in Northeastern China has experienced a...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Xiaochen Hou Haitao Shi |
| author_facet | Xiaochen Hou Haitao Shi |
| author_sort | Xiaochen Hou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Freshwater turtle species preservation relies on understanding their population dynamics and geographical distribution. Amur softshell turtles (ASTs [<i>Pelodiscus maackii</i>]) are poorly protected due to insufficient awareness and the population in Northeastern China has experienced a steep decline compared to previous years. This study aims to investigate the population density and structure of ASTs in the Jewellery Island area of the Ussuri River in Northeast China using continuous-time capture–recapture methods in closed populations. A three-month mark–recapture study was conducted in 2022, resulting in 35 juvenile captures, including 12 recaptures from 23 marked individuals. The estimated population size in the study area was 40.79 ± 9.75 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 27–65), translating to 0.663 ± 0.158 turtles/ha (95% CI = 0.44–1.06 individuals/ha). Approximately 35.4–85.2% of the estimated population was marked. Additionally, we explored the influence of environmental variables on turtle distribution by dividing the surveyed sites into seven sections based on their natural characteristics. The ASTs distribution inferred from trapping successes was considerably different among sections, with most turtles (91%) captured at the vegetated shoreline and in water channel 2. This research offers essential baseline data to support future assessments of ASTs population on a larger scale and to inform the development of conservation strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-84c2eb5db9a04f72a4d21c95b4ccc372 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-84c2eb5db9a04f72a4d21c95b4ccc3722025-01-24T13:18:18ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-0115225510.3390/ani15020255Amur Softshell Turtle (<i>Pelodiscus maackii</i>) Population Size, Structure, and Spatial DistributionXiaochen Hou0Haitao Shi1School of Life Science, Tonghua Normal University, Tonghua 134001, ChinaMinistry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, ChinaFreshwater turtle species preservation relies on understanding their population dynamics and geographical distribution. Amur softshell turtles (ASTs [<i>Pelodiscus maackii</i>]) are poorly protected due to insufficient awareness and the population in Northeastern China has experienced a steep decline compared to previous years. This study aims to investigate the population density and structure of ASTs in the Jewellery Island area of the Ussuri River in Northeast China using continuous-time capture–recapture methods in closed populations. A three-month mark–recapture study was conducted in 2022, resulting in 35 juvenile captures, including 12 recaptures from 23 marked individuals. The estimated population size in the study area was 40.79 ± 9.75 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 27–65), translating to 0.663 ± 0.158 turtles/ha (95% CI = 0.44–1.06 individuals/ha). Approximately 35.4–85.2% of the estimated population was marked. Additionally, we explored the influence of environmental variables on turtle distribution by dividing the surveyed sites into seven sections based on their natural characteristics. The ASTs distribution inferred from trapping successes was considerably different among sections, with most turtles (91%) captured at the vegetated shoreline and in water channel 2. This research offers essential baseline data to support future assessments of ASTs population on a larger scale and to inform the development of conservation strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/255continuous-time capture–recapture methodclosed populationpopulation sizeconservationamur softshell turtle |
| spellingShingle | Xiaochen Hou Haitao Shi Amur Softshell Turtle (<i>Pelodiscus maackii</i>) Population Size, Structure, and Spatial Distribution Animals continuous-time capture–recapture method closed population population size conservation amur softshell turtle |
| title | Amur Softshell Turtle (<i>Pelodiscus maackii</i>) Population Size, Structure, and Spatial Distribution |
| title_full | Amur Softshell Turtle (<i>Pelodiscus maackii</i>) Population Size, Structure, and Spatial Distribution |
| title_fullStr | Amur Softshell Turtle (<i>Pelodiscus maackii</i>) Population Size, Structure, and Spatial Distribution |
| title_full_unstemmed | Amur Softshell Turtle (<i>Pelodiscus maackii</i>) Population Size, Structure, and Spatial Distribution |
| title_short | Amur Softshell Turtle (<i>Pelodiscus maackii</i>) Population Size, Structure, and Spatial Distribution |
| title_sort | amur softshell turtle i pelodiscus maackii i population size structure and spatial distribution |
| topic | continuous-time capture–recapture method closed population population size conservation amur softshell turtle |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/255 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT xiaochenhou amursoftshellturtleipelodiscusmaackiiipopulationsizestructureandspatialdistribution AT haitaoshi amursoftshellturtleipelodiscusmaackiiipopulationsizestructureandspatialdistribution |