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Sampling freshwater turtle populations using hoop nets: Testing potential biases.
- Source :
-
Wildlife Society Bulletin (2328-5540) . Sep2014, Vol. 38 Issue 3, p580-585. 6p. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- ABSTRACT The baited hoop-net is one of the most heavily used sampling tools for monitoring freshwater turtle populations. In the past several years, we have published a series of studies that tested potential biases associated with this sampling method. For this paper, we used a new experiment to directly test the influence of trap-mouth opening size on both captures and escapes. We also summarized the results from previous studies to direct future research on this topic and provide a useful guide for managers and researchers using this sampling device. In our experiment during May 2013 in Texas, USA, we found that traps with larger mouth-openings were more efficient at capturing turtles, while escapes were minimal for both mouth sizes. Thus, at least within the boundaries we tested here, increasing mouth-opening size is an effective way to increase captures without introducing biases caused by differential escape probabilities. © 2014 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 23285540
- Volume :
- 38
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Wildlife Society Bulletin (2328-5540)
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- 98405937
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.427