Bruno O. Ferronato

Primeiro registro de larvas de Chironomus inquinatus Correia, Trivinho-Strixino & Michailova (Diptera, Chironomidae) vivendo no casco do cágado Phrynops geoffroanus Schweigger (Testudines, Chelidae) na região Neotropical

In this study we report for the first time the occurrence of Chironomus inquinatus larvae Correia, Trivinho-Strixino & Michailova living on the shell of the side-necked turtle, Phrynops geoffroanus Schweigger, possibly by the intense accumulation of sediment, in a polluted river of the Neotropics.

Characterization of innate immune activity in Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae)

3 Corresponding author. ABSTRACT. The innate immune activity of the freshwater turtle Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) was investi- gated, using a sheep-red-blood cell hemolysis assay. The time- and concentration-dependent hemolytic activity of the turtle plasma was low compared to that reported for other reptiles. However the plasma of P. geoffroanus exhibited higher activity at elevated temperatures, resulting in temperature-dependent hemolysis. The sensitivity of turtle plasma to temperature could be interpreted as a mechanism by which freshwater turtles use basking behavior to elevate body temperature, thus enhancing the innate immune response. However, we cannot discard the possibility that environ- mental contaminants could be affecting the turtles immune response, since the animals in this investigation were captured in a polluted watercourse.

Isotopic signatures (δ 13C and δ15N) of muscle, carapace and claw in Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae)

The isotopic composition ( δ13C and δ 15N) of muscle, carapace and claw was determined from six wild individuals of Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) in order to verify the variation between those tissues. The mean values of δ13C e δ 15N were, respectively, -19.48 ± 0.81‰ (-20.8 - -18.64‰) and 7.23 ± 0.67‰ (6.49 - 8.3‰) for muscle, -16.52 ± 0.98‰ (-17.88 - -15.43‰) and 7.29 ± 0.54‰ (6.74 - 7.97‰) for carapace and -18.57 ± 0.97‰ (-19.97 - -17.26‰) and 4.36 ± 0.33‰ (3.93 - 4.79‰) for claw. We found a significant difference for the tissues evaluated for both δ13C and δ15N. Muscle and claw were statistically similar and more depleted in 13C than the carapace. Nonetheless, claw was more depleted in 15N than muscle and carapace tissues. These results are likely related to differences in metabolic processes involved on each tissue formation. The description of the isotopic signatures variation in P. geoffroanus tissues provides a baseline for future investigations on the diet reconstruction of this species when more than one tissue is involved.

Notes on the hematology of free-living Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae) in polluted rivers of Southeastern Brazil

Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) is the freshwater turtle with the widest geographical distribution in South America. During 2006, physical examination and hematological evaluation were performed on free-ranging turtles from two polluted rivers, the Piracicaba River (n = 51) and its tributary Piracicamirim (n = 42), in southeastern Brazil. Red blood cell and thrombocyte counts, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin levels differed in turtles from the two water courses. Although free-ranging turtles showed ectoparasites and boat propeler lesions, animals apparently had no signs of clinical disease. In spite of our results, further monitoring of the demography and health status of Phrynops geoffroanus in anthropogenically altered environments is recommended.

First record of hatchling overwintering inside the natal nest of a chelid turtle

Abstract. Hatchling overwintering inside the natal nest is a strategy used by several Northern Hemisphere species of freshwater turtles. We recorded hatchling overwintering in the nest by Chelodina longicollis (Chelidae) in south-eastern Australia, during three reproductive seasons. Hatchlings spent, on average, 320 days inside the nest from the date eggs were laid until emergence. Some nests were carefully opened adjacent to the nest plug, one during winter and one in spring, to confirm that eggs had hatched and were not in diapause, although we could not precisely confirm hatching dates. Despite our small sample size, we observed a dichotomous overwintering strategy, with hatchlings from one nest emerging in autumn and spending their first winter in the aquatic environment, and hatchlings from three nests overwintering in the nest and emerging in spring. These findings expand the phylogenetic range of turtles exhibiting hatchling overwintering behaviour. Future research should evaluate whether this strategy is widespread among other long-necked turtles in temperate regions and examine physiological mechanisms involved in coping with winter temperatures.

Feeding Habits of Amazonian Freshwater Turtles (Podocnemididae and Chelidae) from Peru

Abstract We describe here the feeding habits of the Yellow-spotted River turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) (n  =  20), Geoffroys side-necked turtle (Phrynops geoffroanus) (n  =  10), and Gibba turtle (Mesoclemmys gibba) (n  =  4) from central Peru, Pasco Department, and evaluate food overlaps among them. Podocnemis unifilis showed a generalist feeding habit, ingesting animal and plant matter, but tending to be herbivorous, because plant matter made up 62.9% of the volume vs. 3.9% for animal material. The most important items in P. unifilis diet were seeds from the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family and bark. Podocnemis geoffroanus and M. gibba also had generalist feeding habits. The most important items for P. geoffroanus were insects, especially Libellulidae larvae, and plant material. Mesoclemmys gibba ingested insects, fish, crustaceans, unidentified plant matter, bark, leaves, stem, and algae, with plant matter being more representative by frequency and volume. Low dietary overlap was observed between P. unifilis and P. geoffroanus, and both species appeared to overlap with M. gibba. To our knowledge, this is the first quantitative dietary study of Peruvian freshwater turtles, and the first diet analysis of wild M. gibba in the Amazon basin.

Current conservation status of Australian freshwater turtles

Globally, turtles are among the most threatened vertebrate taxa, with over 60% of all species being listed as endangered, threatened, or vulnerable (Turtle Conservation Coalition 2011). Australian freshwater turtles are not immune from this trend, and 44% (11 of 25 taxa) are currently listed as vulnerable or worse at state or federal levels, and/or by the IUCN (Table 1). Recent studies are increasingly reporting declines in Australian turtle species, either as long-term trends (Chessman 2011) driven by a variety of factors including invasive species (Spencer et al. 2016), drought (Bower et al. 2012), and/or habitatmodification (Ferronato et al. 2016;Ocock et al. 2018), or as rapid crashes caused by disease events that remain poorly understood (Spencer et al. 2018). Accordingly, we convened a conference on freshwater turtle conservation in Canberra, ACT, in February 2017 to discuss the threats to Australian turtle populations. We also aimed to establish a dialogue among turtle biologists, indigenous stakeholders, reservemanagers, zoo curators, and interested members of the public, which would facilitate the development and implementation of conservation strategies nationwide. This special issue of Australian Journal of Zoology is the product of that meeting. Turtles typically experience their highest rates of mortality at early life stages due to the vulnerability of both their eggs and nests. Perhaps as a result, much of the research we highlight focussedon thebiologyandconservationof turtle nesting. Petrov et al. (2018b) explored the nesting ecology of the broad-shelled snake-necked turtle (Chelodina expansa), which is listed as endangered in Victoria and vulnerable in South Australia (Table 1). Chelodina expansa exhibited predictable nesting habitat preferences, which could be used to target conservation efforts to protect nests from predators, including foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Similarly, Espinoza et al. (2018) evaluated the ecohydrological rules associated with nesting behaviour in the Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus), which is listed as endangered in bothQueensland and at the federal level (Table 1). They used these rules to set boundaries for environmental flow management in Queensland to ensure the availability of nesting habitat during the nesting season, and that high flows do not flood E. macrurus nests once eggs have been laid. Rusli and Booth (2018) examined the impact of sand type on the cost of digging that hatchling Brisbane River turtles (Emydura macquarii signata) experienced during nest emergence. Nests constructed in fine sand were less costly to dig through, which may have consequences for hatchling bioenergetics and fitness if the soils of nesting habitat are altered. Along similar lines, Chessman (2018a) found that hatchling eastern long-necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis) experience high rates of imprisonment in nests constructed in hard soils. Delayed emergence by C. longicollis hatchlings may not be adaptive, but may instead be a consequence of nest construction in hard soils that hatchlings struggle to excavate (Chessman 2018a). Together, these studies provide important baseline information for protecting shoreline habitats ideal for turtle nesting. Despite being aquatic, freshwater turtle populations are also vulnerable to road mortality. Santori et al. (2018) used citizenscience data to show thatC. longicollis experiences high rates of road mortality during the nesting season, when females seek nesting sites on land. Near the Murray River, C. longicollis mortality rates are particularly high on divided highways and near populated areas, and are associated with rainfall. BaxterGilbert et al. (2018) turn the potential threat of roads into a useful method for detecting cryptic turtle species, using Canadian turtles as a model system. They report that road surveys are important sampling methods for species and/or locations where other sampling methods may not be feasible. Walking and cycling surveys were especially effective, but driving surveys allowed sampling of larger areas more rapidly. Combining citizen road surveys and geolocation-based apps like TurtleSat (www.turtlesat.org.au) leads to powerful methods for gaining baseline data on cryptic turtle populations throughout Australia. Freshwater turtles are vulnerable to disruptions of freshwater habitat, and the studies presented here illustrate two aspects of habitat modification impacts. Clark et al. (2018) describe how construction of the Wyaralong Dam in south-east Queensland may have impacted the low relative abundances of both Murray River turtles (Emydura macquarii) and common saw-shelled turtles (Myuchelys latisternum). Catch-per-unit-effort of both species is variable across the new reservoir, and varies between dry and wet seasons, so long-term monitoring will be necessary to fully understand the impact the dam has on them. Petrov et al. (2018a) examined how turtle diets varied across wetlands that differ in plant and invertebrate composition in north-central

Reptilia, Testudines, Chelidae, Acanthochelys macrocephala: Distribution extension, geographic distribution map, and hatchling morphology

Acanthochelys macrocephala is a side-necked turtle found in south-central Bolivia, western Brazil and northwestern Paraguay (Rhodin et al. 1984; Iverson 1992). The species is characteristic of South American open formations (Souza 2005), being a typical inhabitant of the Brazilian Pantanal (Alho and Gonçalves 2005; Souza 2005; Junk et al. 2006), Bolivian (Rumiz and Herrera 1998; Dosapey and Montaño 2004) and Paraguayan Chaco (Buskirk 1988; Fritz and Pauler 1992; 1999; Ziegler et al. 2002; Métrailler 2003; 2006; Vinke and Vinke 2001; 2008). It is present in the flooded areas under the influence of the Paraguay river basin (Rhodin et al. 1984; Souza 2005) and possibly the swamplands along the upper Guaporé river (Rhodin et al. 1984). It is also found on the upper Mamoré river drainage (Rhodin et al. 1984; Junk et al. 2006).