Joshua M. Kapfer and Timothy Muehlfeld
Department of Biological Sciences, UW-Whitewater, kapferj@uww.edu
Information on long-term trends in reptile populations can yield useful conservation information. This is particularly true because long-term monitoring projects that involve reptile populations are relatively uncommon, especially in Wisconsin. In 2006 we began an annual turtle survey on the Field Station Grounds, lasting for three days each year in late May/early June. We set turtle hoop traps approved by the Wisconsin DNR in several locations, which we checked daily during annual surveys. All of the animals captured were marked via marginal scute notches, following a well-established system. To-date, we have captured a total of 95 painted turtles (Chrysemys picta; mean=11.9/year), of which 13 were recaptures (1.6/year). We also captured 13 snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina; mean= 1.6/year), with zero recaptures. During this time we captured only one other species, a single adult Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii). Data collection will continue and future analyses will be conducted to elucidate information on abundance and survival rates. Collection of this type of longterm baseline data is critical to understand population fluctuations that may occur over time and the associated conservation implications.