Andrew R. Kuhns

Structure and Composition of a Southern Illinois Freshwater Turtle Assemblage

Abstract We report on a six-year study (1994–1999) of a diverse turtle assemblage in Gallatin County, IL. Ten species of freshwater turtles representing four families were recorded. Species richness increased as a function of trap hours, with 3000 trap hours required to capture all species. The greatest density and biomass was for Trachemys scripta. Pseudemys concinna ranked second in density, but Chelydra serpentina ranked second highest in biomass. Females comprised the majority of the biomass in emydids, biomass ratios were even in Sternotherus odoratus, and males comprised the majority of the biomass in C. serpentina. Relative abundance did not significantly differ among the six years, although some uncommon species were not captured in all years.

Absence of Ranavirus and herpesvirus in a survey of two aquatic turtle species in Illinois.

ABSTRACT Infections with Ranavirus and herpesvirus have contributed to numerous morbidity and mortality reports in chelonians worldwide. To better understand the prevalence of these viruses in healthy and declining populations, a survey for these viruses was performed on two aquatic turtle species in 2007 using polymerase chain reaction assays. Blood and oral swabs were taken from 47 painted turtles, Chrysemys picta, and 58 Blandings turtles, Emydoidea blandingii. Results demonstrated no positive cases using this method in these populations. The lack of positive Ranavirus test results may indicate that these turtles have never been exposed to virus, have been exposed but have cleared the virus, are not shedding the virus in oral swabs or blood, or that oral swabs are inappropriate samples to assess ranaviral shedding in these species. Similarly, the lack of positive herpesvirus test results may indicate that these turtles have never been exposed to virus, have been exposed but have a latent infection, ar...

Metacercariae of Clinostomum (Trematoda: Digenea) from Three Species of Ambystoma (Caudata: Ambystomatidae) from Arkansas and Illinois, U.S.A.

Abstract Thirteen of 51 (25.5%) Jefferson salamanders, Ambystoma jeffersonianum, and 4 of 69 (5.8%) small-mouthed salamanders, Ambystoma texanum, from east-central Illinois were found to be infected with metacercariae of Clinostomum marginatum; 1 of 72 (1.4%) spotted salamanders, Ambystoma maculatum from north-central Arkansas was found to be infected with metacercariae of Clinostomum attenuatum. We provide a new host record for C. attenuatum and 2 new host records and a new locality record for metacercariae of C. marginatum. In addition, a list of the amphibian hosts of metacercariae of Clinostomum spp. is provided.

Chytrid Infection Dynamics in Cricket Frogs on Military and Public Lands in the Midwestern United States

Abstract The pathogenic chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (hereafter, Bd) is a causal agent in amphibian decline and extinction events. Sampling for Bd in the Midwestern United States has largely been opportunistic and haphazard, so little information exists on the true occurrence and prevalence of the disease. We repeatedly tested Cricket Frogs Acris blanchardi or A. crepitans at 54 wetlands in 2009 and 15 wetlands in 2011 on both public and military lands to estimate Bd occurrence and prevalence rates between different land-use types, sampling seasons (spring, summer, autumn) and sampling years. We found Bd occurred in 100% of wetlands we sampled in 2009 and 2011, and overall prevalence was 22.7% in 2009 and 40.5% in 2011. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis prevalence in 2011 was significantly higher than in 2009 and was significantly higher during the spring season than in the summer or autumn. We also found Bd prevalence was not significantly different on military versus public-use sites and w...