Relative vulnerability of female turtles to road mortality
Animal Conservation
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that freshwater turtle populations are becoming increasingly male-biased. A hypothesized cause is a greater vulnerability of female turtles to road mortality. We evaluated this hypothesis by comparing sex ratios from published and unpublished population surveys of turtles conducted on- versus off-roads. Among 38 166 turtles from 157 studies reporting sex ratios, we found a consistently larger female fraction in samples from on-roads (61%) than off-roads (41%). We conclude that female turtles are indeed more likely to cross roadways than are males, which may explain recently reported skewed sex ratios near roadways and signify eventual population declines as females are differentially eliminated. ?? 2006 The Zoological Society of London.
Suggested Citation
Steen, D., Aresco, M., Beilke, S., Compton, B., Condon, E., Dodd, C., Forrester, H., Gibbons, J., Greene, J., Johnson, G., Langen, T., Oldham, M., Oxier, D., Saumure, R.A., Schueler, F., Sleeman, J., Smith, L.L., Tucker, J., Gibbs, J., 2006, Relative vulnerability of female turtles to road mortality: Animal Conservation, v. 9, no. 3, p. 269-273, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2006.00032.x.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Relative vulnerability of female turtles to road mortality |
| Series title | Animal Conservation |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2006.00032.x |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Publication Date | April 03, 2006 |
| Year Published | 2006 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Animal Conservation |
| First page | 269 |
| Last page | 273 |