SREL Reprint #3635

Influences on male reproductive success in long-lived Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii)

J. M. McGuire1, J. D. Congdon2, O. M. Kinney3,4, M. Osentoski5, and K. T. Scribner6,7

1Department of Zoology, 288 Farm Lane Room 203, Natural Science Building,
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
2University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
3University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
4Darlington School, 1014 Cave Spring Road, Rome, GA 30161, USA
5Covington, GA 30016, USA
6Department of Zoology, 288 Farm Lane Room 203, Natural Science Building, Michigan State University,
East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
7Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, 13 Natural Resources Building, Michigan State University,
East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

Abstract: Knowing how the number and qualities of mates influence male reproductive success (RS) can help interpret mating-system dynamics that are important for conservation efforts. We combined parentage data (1999–2006) with data from a long-term life-history study (1953–2007) of Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii (Holbrook, 1838)) on the University of Michigan’s E.S. George Reserve to document the relative influence of mate number and quality on male RS. Blood samples were taken from >92% of resident adults and tissue samples were taken from 723 hatchlings from 92 nests of 54 females over eight nesting seasons. The incidence of multiple paternity averaged 41.6% (N = 77), was variable among years (minimum–maximum = 15.4%–55.6%), and was positively associated with female age, body size, and clutch size. Repeat paternity was observed in 69.9% of sequential clutches of the same female separated by 1–7 years. Male RS was variable (1–40 offspring) and was positively associated with the number of mates and clutches sired. The youngest male to sire offspring was 22 years old. Adult movements that result in encountering different mates and (or) the ability to use attributes (e.g., size or age) to identify high-quality mates have the potential to substantially increase RS.

Keywords: Emydoidea blandingii, Blanding’s Turtle, life history, mating system, reproductive success, parentage

SREL Reprint #3635

McGuire, J. M., J. D. Congdon, O. M. Kinney, M. Osentoski, and K. T. Scribner. 2015. Influences on male reproductive success in long-lived Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii). Canadian Journal of Zoology 93(6): 487-497.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).