An assessment of two methods for sampling river turtle assemblages. Sterrett, S., Smith, L., Schweitzer, S., & Maerz, J. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 5(3):490–497, 2010.
abstract   bibtex   
We compared the effectiveness of baited hoop traps and effort-managed snorkel surveys for detecting freshwater turtle species within two streams in southwestern Georgia, USA. Snorkel surveys provided the highest detection probability for the four most frequently captured species. We captured the Barbour's Map Turtle (Graptemys barbouri), a threatened species in the southeastern U.S., 90% of the time by snorkeling; whereas, we captured the Yellowbellied Slider (Trachemys scripta) 88% of the time by hoop traps. We captured adults and juveniles with both methods, with the exception of juvenile Loggerhead Musk Turtles (Sternotherus minor), which we caught only via snorkeling. The two methods captured turtles of similar sizes. Seasonal and physical constraints can affect visibility and access to capture locations, limiting snorkeling sessions. We recommend use of both techniques to capture a range of sexes, sizes, and species of turtles in Coastal Plain streams. However, species-specific surveys may benefit by lower effort with the use of only one method.
@article{sterrett_assessment_2010,
	title = {An assessment of two methods for sampling river turtle assemblages},
	volume = {5},
	copyright = {All rights reserved},
	abstract = {We compared the effectiveness of baited hoop traps and effort-managed snorkel surveys for detecting freshwater turtle species within two streams in southwestern Georgia, USA. Snorkel surveys provided the highest detection probability for the four most frequently captured species. We captured the Barbour's Map Turtle (Graptemys barbouri), a threatened species in the southeastern U.S., 90\% of the time by snorkeling; whereas, we captured the Yellowbellied Slider (Trachemys scripta) 88\% of the time by hoop traps. We captured adults and juveniles with both methods, with the exception of juvenile Loggerhead Musk Turtles (Sternotherus minor), which we caught only via snorkeling. The two methods captured turtles of similar sizes. Seasonal and physical constraints can affect visibility and access to capture locations, limiting snorkeling sessions. We recommend use of both techniques to capture a range of sexes, sizes, and species of turtles in Coastal Plain streams. However, species-specific surveys may benefit by lower effort with the use of only one method.},
	number = {3},
	journal = {Herpetological Conservation and Biology},
	author = {Sterrett, S.C. and Smith, L.L. and Schweitzer, S.H. and Maerz, J.C.},
	year = {2010},
	keywords = {Detection probability, Georgia, Gr, [Coastal plain},
	pages = {490--497},
}

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