Southwestern Nova Scotia contains three small, genetically distinguishable populations of Blandin... more Southwestern Nova Scotia contains three small, genetically distinguishable populations of Blanding's Turtles, Emydoidea blandingii, at the northeastern peri phery of the species' range ). These populations have been isolated since the end of the Hypsithermal Interval ~4500 years ago . concluded they should be considered evolutionarily significant units (ESU) based on the reduced gene flow among the Nova Scotia populations and their long genetic isolation from the remainder of the species' range. The landscapes that support the populations in Nova Scotia vary both structurally and in the level of protection they receive. The population in Kejimkujik National Park of Canada occurs on federally regulated land and is therefore protected, and the McGowan Lake populations occur in a combination of private and provincially regulated land, much of which has been designated for conservation . The Pleasant River population, which includes the Blanding's Turtles in Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook, occurs in a mixed-use working landscape that is afforded less formal protection. The primary threats to Blanding's Turtle in Nova Scotia are human-induced mortality and loss and fragmentation of habitat. Limited migration has been observed among these populations personal observation, JL). This may lead to further isolation of existing populations, and the deleterious effects associated with inbreeding and genetic drift could eventually lead to their extinction . The Blanding's Turtles in Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook form a discrete component of the Pleasant River population. Previous genetic analysis suggested restricted gene flow between the Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook population and the Pleasant River population (Toews 2005*). More detailed analysis of these populations is needed for the further evaluation of the diversity within, and gene flow among, these populations. The objectives of this study were to determine abundance, sex ratio, age distribution, seasonal movement patterns, and home range size for the Ecology of a Recently Discovered Population Segment of Blanding's Turtles, Emydoidea blandingii, in Barren Meadow and Keddy Brooks,
The commercial wine grape industry in Nova Scotia (NS) has been in existence since 1980 . Nova Sc... more The commercial wine grape industry in Nova Scotia (NS) has been in existence since 1980 . Nova Scotia wines generated sales of approximately $7.2 million from 10 wineries in 2005, with a projected growth potential to $24 million by 2020 (Anonymous 2009). The Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia (GGANS) was established in 1982 and now consists of over 50 growers with over 160 ha of wine grapes (Vitis vinifera L). In 2002, the Nova Scotia Winery Association was established to promote development of the wine industry in the province. Viticulture in NS, primarily wine grapes, has grown from a production of 150 tonnes in 1996 to 706 tonnes in 2005 (Anon. 2009). The NS wine industry has demonstrated considerable expansion in a relatively short period of time, with new commercial vineyards replacing orchard and pasture land. Grape production is concentrated within the Annapolis
Sexual size dimorphism is common in turtles, with greater size in most species favoring females. ... more Sexual size dimorphism is common in turtles, with greater size in most species favoring females. However, in Blanding's Turtles, which are among the longest-lived freshwater turtles for which field data are available, males are slightly larger. Nova Scotia's three known populations are disjunct from those in the species main range in south central Canada and north central United States and occupy different habitats that may exert different environmental pressures on the turtles. We compared body size and sexual size dimorphism across four distinct populations to identify any patterns that might reflect divergent environments. Sexual size dimorphism was consistently male biased in all populations, but differed significantly in degree across populations, suggesting that the environment exhibits a significant effect on size and growth rate. Indeterminate growth was evident in both sexes pooled across populations. The growth rate of adult males exceeds that of adult females, and juvenile growth rate exceeds that of adults regardless of population.
Blanding’s Turtles in Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook are part of the Pleasant River populati... more Blanding’s Turtles in Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook are part of the Pleasant River population, the easternmost population currently recognized in Nova Scotia. Previous genetic analysis demonstrated restricted gene flow among the populations of Nova Scotia. The conservation of this genetic diversity is important to reduce genetic drift and bottleneck effects in these populations. Between 2006 and 2008, the population in Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook was estimated using visual surveys, trapping, and radio-tracking. Over the three years, surveys yielded 69 individuals (14 females, 22 males, 29 juveniles, 4 undetermined). Capture-mark-recapture analysis using the Chapman variation of Petersen formulas for bi-census yielded population estimates of 88 Blanding’s Turtles. The sex ratio did not deviate significantly from 1:1. Applying minimum convex polygon (MCP) and kernel methods to radio-tracking data yielded preliminary estimates of home range size and location for males and...
Southwestern Nova Scotia contains three small, genetically distinguishable populations of Blandin... more Southwestern Nova Scotia contains three small, genetically distinguishable populations of Blanding's Turtles, Emydoidea blandingii, at the northeastern peri phery of the species' range ). These populations have been isolated since the end of the Hypsithermal Interval ~4500 years ago . concluded they should be considered evolutionarily significant units (ESU) based on the reduced gene flow among the Nova Scotia populations and their long genetic isolation from the remainder of the species' range. The landscapes that support the populations in Nova Scotia vary both structurally and in the level of protection they receive. The population in Kejimkujik National Park of Canada occurs on federally regulated land and is therefore protected, and the McGowan Lake populations occur in a combination of private and provincially regulated land, much of which has been designated for conservation . The Pleasant River population, which includes the Blanding's Turtles in Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook, occurs in a mixed-use working landscape that is afforded less formal protection. The primary threats to Blanding's Turtle in Nova Scotia are human-induced mortality and loss and fragmentation of habitat. Limited migration has been observed among these populations personal observation, JL). This may lead to further isolation of existing populations, and the deleterious effects associated with inbreeding and genetic drift could eventually lead to their extinction . The Blanding's Turtles in Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook form a discrete component of the Pleasant River population. Previous genetic analysis suggested restricted gene flow between the Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook population and the Pleasant River population (Toews 2005*). More detailed analysis of these populations is needed for the further evaluation of the diversity within, and gene flow among, these populations. The objectives of this study were to determine abundance, sex ratio, age distribution, seasonal movement patterns, and home range size for the Ecology of a Recently Discovered Population Segment of Blanding's Turtles, Emydoidea blandingii, in Barren Meadow and Keddy Brooks,
The commercial wine grape industry in Nova Scotia (NS) has been in existence since 1980 . Nova Sc... more The commercial wine grape industry in Nova Scotia (NS) has been in existence since 1980 . Nova Scotia wines generated sales of approximately $7.2 million from 10 wineries in 2005, with a projected growth potential to $24 million by 2020 (Anonymous 2009). The Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia (GGANS) was established in 1982 and now consists of over 50 growers with over 160 ha of wine grapes (Vitis vinifera L). In 2002, the Nova Scotia Winery Association was established to promote development of the wine industry in the province. Viticulture in NS, primarily wine grapes, has grown from a production of 150 tonnes in 1996 to 706 tonnes in 2005 (Anon. 2009). The NS wine industry has demonstrated considerable expansion in a relatively short period of time, with new commercial vineyards replacing orchard and pasture land. Grape production is concentrated within the Annapolis
Sexual size dimorphism is common in turtles, with greater size in most species favoring females. ... more Sexual size dimorphism is common in turtles, with greater size in most species favoring females. However, in Blanding's Turtles, which are among the longest-lived freshwater turtles for which field data are available, males are slightly larger. Nova Scotia's three known populations are disjunct from those in the species main range in south central Canada and north central United States and occupy different habitats that may exert different environmental pressures on the turtles. We compared body size and sexual size dimorphism across four distinct populations to identify any patterns that might reflect divergent environments. Sexual size dimorphism was consistently male biased in all populations, but differed significantly in degree across populations, suggesting that the environment exhibits a significant effect on size and growth rate. Indeterminate growth was evident in both sexes pooled across populations. The growth rate of adult males exceeds that of adult females, and juvenile growth rate exceeds that of adults regardless of population.
Blanding’s Turtles in Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook are part of the Pleasant River populati... more Blanding’s Turtles in Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook are part of the Pleasant River population, the easternmost population currently recognized in Nova Scotia. Previous genetic analysis demonstrated restricted gene flow among the populations of Nova Scotia. The conservation of this genetic diversity is important to reduce genetic drift and bottleneck effects in these populations. Between 2006 and 2008, the population in Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook was estimated using visual surveys, trapping, and radio-tracking. Over the three years, surveys yielded 69 individuals (14 females, 22 males, 29 juveniles, 4 undetermined). Capture-mark-recapture analysis using the Chapman variation of Petersen formulas for bi-census yielded population estimates of 88 Blanding’s Turtles. The sex ratio did not deviate significantly from 1:1. Applying minimum convex polygon (MCP) and kernel methods to radio-tracking data yielded preliminary estimates of home range size and location for males and...
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