Amphibians that reproduce in early spring at northern latitudes may encounter environmental ice while migrating to their breeding sites. Due the nucleation properties of ice, contact with induce rapid freezing body tissues, which can cause irreversible damage cells and lead death. Although some species salamanders are known move over during migration, freeze-intolerant expected avoid physical crystals minimise risk freezing. Here, we documented thermal biology blue-spotted salamander (...

Temperate ectotherms have responded to recent environmental change, likely due the direct and indirect effects of temperature on key life cycle events. Yet, a substantial number are fossorial, spending vast majority their lives in subterranean microhabitats that assumed be buffered against change. Here, we examine whether seasonal climatic conditions influence body condition (a measure general health vigor), reproductive output, breeding phenology northern population fossorial salamander...

We compare diet and feeding behaviour of Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) Midland Painted (Chrysemys picta marginata) in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. observed young Chelydra Chrysemys turtles on insect amphibian larvae ephemeral ponds, adult terrestrially foraging odonate larvae, consuming aquatic vegetation seeds. These other observations highlight the importance seasonally available habitat food for juvenile turtles. also discuss evidence for, of, as seed-dispersal...

Subsidized predators are animals whose populations proliferate through association with humans. As subsidized predators, birds in the family Corvidae (Corvus spp., crows and ravens) pose an additive mortality threat to turtle eggs, juveniles, and, some cases, adults. In this synthesis, I (1) review published unpublished case studies of corvids as chelonians, (2) examine regional population trends relative status co-occurring chelonian species, (3) evaluate our current understanding threats...

To decide whether to remain underground or emerge from overwintering, fossorial ectotherms simultaneously process environmental, gravitational, and circannual migratory cues. Here, we provide an experimental framework study the behaviour of during soil temperature inversion-a phenomenon that marks transition between winter spring-based on three non-mutually exclusive hypotheses (thermoregulatory, negative geotaxis, migration restlessness). Using a vertical thermal gradient, evaluated how...

Caimans (Crocodilia: Alligatoridae) are top-level predators in aquatic ecosystems of the Neotropics. This paper presents data on diet caimans from Peruvian Amazon (principally Paleosuchus spp., but also Caiman crocodilus and Melanosuchus niger), including feeding observations stomach content examinations. A total 58 analyses three situ were made, incidence gastric parasitism external injury studied. Insects, crustaceans, fish most frequently encountered prey gut P. trigonatus, reptiles,...

Sexually coercive reproductive tactics are widespread among animals. Males may employ specialized structures to harass, intimidate, or physically harm females force copulation, and injuries the head neck reported in taxa with sexually mating systems. The of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta (Schneider, 1783)) typically described as involving male courtship female choice. In contrast, our study population display on indicative bite wounds inflicted by dimorphic tomiodonts weaponized shell...

The ability to identify the sex of animals accurately is important in population studies. Emydid turtles (Testudines: Emydidae) demonstrate a number sexually dimorphic characters, including head (cranial) size and structure. Field observations from long-term study midland painted (Chrysemys picta marginata) Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, suggested distinct differences external morphology between sexes. We evaluated these putative sexual C. by conducting visual questionnaire...

Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to corresponding author article.

Kyphosis, a congenital humpback condition of the spinal column, has been reported across broad range chelonian taxa. These reports are often single observations and lack background information about history animal(s) involved. A kyphotic female midland painted turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) herein is member long-term mark–recapture study in Algonquin Park (Ontario, Canada), providing unique opportunity to document life-history characters over 18 yrs draw comparisons other members her...

We examined captures of Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, during the understudied summer–autumn transition period (August–September). The proportion captured male turtles increased relative to females late summer and early autumn sampling period, leading male-biased capture rates a population with strongly female-biased sex ratio. consider explanations for bias relation sex-specific activity patterns briefly discuss implications on outcome...

Morphological abnormalities in amphibians are commonly associated with anthropogenic activity, although little baseline information on the prevalence of uncontaminated environments exist. Here, we leverage a 12-year study spotted salamanders ( Ambystoma maculatum (Shaw, 1802)) an ecosystem Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada, to estimate abnormality rates and explore how affect fitness-related traits. Annual estimated from drift fence data ranged 4.3% 5.8% individuals sampled. Abnormality...

Triaxial accelerometers have revolutionized wildlife research by providing an unprecedented understanding of the behavior free-living animals. Machine learning is often applied to acceleration data classify diverse animal behaviors across taxa. However, high frequency, continuous collection typically favored for behavioral classification studies generates very large sets, which may inhibit remote acquisition and make storage challenging. Coarse-frequency sampling or non-continuous bursts...

Ictalurid catfishes have sharp spines on their dorsal and pectoral fins that can be hazardous to predators. The may lock in an abducted position, effectively increasing body size preventing ingestion by gape-limited Further, injure predators or increase prey handling time, affording catfish opportunities for escape. As part of a long-term mark–recapture study turtle ecology Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, we documented the presence Brown Bullheads, Ameiurus nebulosus, diet...

We report summer caching of a partial carcass White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawn by an Eastern Wolf (Canis sp. cf. lycaon) in Sphagnum bog Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. The microhabitat conditions bogs (i.e., low temperature, acidity, and organochemical compounds) likely inhibit food spoilage, making potentially important sites for caching. Wolves Park experience availability high pup mortality from starvation. Caches serve as necessary reserve stores adults pups....