Freshwater turtle populations in the Burnett River

A study was conducted on freshwater turtle populations residing in a section of the Burnett River to be flooded by the Paradise Dam. Four species were found with Emydura macquarii krefftii being the most common. The population of this species was bias towards adult sized turtles, with poor recruitment or low survivorship of hatchlings. The size at which 50% of the population had reached adulthood was 18.2cm and 20.6cm for males and females respectively. Elseya albagula and Wollumbinia latisternum occurred at very low densities. Both these species also showed a population bias towards adult sized turtles, despite annual breeding by adults. Chelodina expansa was rare with only four individuals caught. Morphometric and reproductive characteristics for the three most common species will enable an assessment of the impact of the Paradise Dam on turtle populations.

Memoirs of the Queensland Museum

Memoirs of the Queensland Museum

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0079-8835

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