Migrations of hatchling European pond turtles (emys orbicularis) after nest emergence

Abstract

Distances between nest sites of Emys orbicularis and the nearest water bodies can be long. We studied whether a longer distance could affect the probability of hatchling survival, migration time, and body mass loss. In our research area (Lubuskie district, western Poland), nest sites were situated on a slope; the closest water body was in a distance of 72-290 m. Near the water body we constructed a 550 m long drift fence to recapture hatchlings migrating down the slope. We monitored 32 hatchlings from 7 different nests deposited in the years 2008-2010. The hatchlings started to emerge from their nests on 9 and 13 April 2009, 7 and 9 April 2010, 30 March, 7 and 8 April 2011. Then, hatchlings were radiotracked using transmitters glued on their carapaces. Individuals (n = 20) recaptured near the fence travelled the distance between the nest site and the fence within 18-727 hours (0.75-∼30 days). Hatchlings from nests situated only a short distance away (72-81 m) were recaptured in higher numbers, compared to those from nests situated further away (227-290 m). During the journey the hatchlings lost on average ∼3.8% of their initial body mass. The hatchlings which migrated longer lose more of their initial body mass than those which migrated shorter. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2013.