Oviposition and subsequent depredation of Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) nests in fresh asphalt

Abstract

On 28 June 2009, three Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) nests were found oviposited in fresh asphalt beside a bridge in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario. One nest was excavated immediately; the other two were left untouched. The two nests left in situ were revisited on 28 July when it was discovered that one nest had been depredated by an unknown predator. Evidence of the third nest was obliterated by tracks of large mammals crossing the bridge. These observations suggest that predators find turtle nests despite the strong odour of asphalt. To examine potential negative impacts of asphalt on turtle eggs, five clean Snapping Turtle eggs, collected elsewhere in Algonquin Provincial Park, were buried in asphalt on 28 July. After eight days, the translocated eggs had obvious staining and contained 0.081–0.376 µg/g (wet weight) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), presumably resulting from asphalt exposure. The risk of exposure to PAHs or other chemicals associated with asphalt is unknown, but the levels of PAHs in these eggs appeared lower than those associated with acute toxicity.