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Full-Text Articles in Behavior and Ethology
Addition Of Inexpensive Lights To Aquatic Turtle Traps Improves Trapping Efficiency In Early Spring, Jenna B. Myers, Michael J. Bender, Maggie M. Woodall*, Jennifer L. Mook
Addition Of Inexpensive Lights To Aquatic Turtle Traps Improves Trapping Efficiency In Early Spring, Jenna B. Myers, Michael J. Bender, Maggie M. Woodall*, Jennifer L. Mook
Georgia Journal of Science
Aquatic turtles are essential contributors to many freshwater ecosystems, but they face a myriad of threats, necessitating periodic monitoring of population status. Increasing turtle trapping efficiency has the potential to improve conservation efforts, particularly when population sizes are low or sampling conditions are suboptimal. In an effort to improve trapping efficiency, we added LED lights to turtle traps in an attempt to attract kinosternid turtles. Our investigation into the effectiveness of LED lights as an attractant was based on evidence suggesting that these turtles may forage using both visual and olfactory cues. Lights significantly increased captures of kinosternid turtles during …