Ranaviruses are globally distributed pathogens in amphibian, fish, and reptile communities that appear to be emerging. Cases of ranavirus infection or disease have been confirmed in at least 105 amphibian species (18 families), 41 fish species (22 families), and 29 reptile species (12 families). Ranaviruses have been documented on all continents except Antarctica, and are frequently associated with mass die-offs. Host susceptibility differs among species, with some species harboring subclinical infections and likely serving as reservoirs for the virus, and other highly susceptible species amplifying the virus. Currently, there are six recognized species of ranavirus, and all are not equally pathogenic among hosts. Frog virus 3 (FV3) is the type species of the genus Ranavirus, and appears to be the most globally distributed species infecting ectothermic taxonomic across three vertebrate classes. International commerce involving subclinically infected ectothermic vertebrates undoubtedly has contributed to the global distribution and emergence of ranaviruses. Herein, we describe the global distributed species infecting ectothermic vertebrates across three taxonomic classes.

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Distribution and Host Range of Ranaviruses

Roads have numerous negative ecological effects on terrestrial fauna, and vehicular mortality can have significant demographic consequences for some species. We studied road mortality of reptiles around Carlyle Lake, Clinton County, Illinois, USA, from April 2000 through November 2002, to assess the impact of vehicular traffic and identify influential factors. Carlyle Lake, a popular tourism/recreation area, is situated in a larger agricultural landscape and is home to the largest Illinois population of the endangered Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus). We documented 321 cases of reptile road mortality (84 individuals of six turtle species and 237 individuals of nine snake species) while driving our approx. 46 km study route roundtrip daily. Turtle road mortality was highest in May and June, and positively associated with precipitation and minimum daily temperature. Colubrid snake road mortality was highest in April and October, and positively associated with minimum daily temperature. We recorded 42 cases of road mortality of S. catenatus with the highest number occurring from mid-August to mid-September. Road mortality in S. catenatus was biased toward adult males, which show an increase in movement in August, coinciding with the peak of the mating season and a period of high tourist visitation. The traffic intensity on a road segment did not significantly affect the level of road mortality, but segments through high quality habitats had higher levels of mortality than segments through lower quality habitats. Based on our study on the ecology of S. catenatus, we make recommendations to reduce road mortality that should aid in the conservation of the Carlyle Lake population.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/25140784.pdf

Reptile Road Mortality around an Oasis in the Illinois Corn Desert with Emphasis on the Endangered Eastern Massasauga

/pdf/ranaviruses-lethal-pathogens-of-ectothermic-vertebrates-1wkphwer0t.pdf

Ranaviruses: Lethal Pathogens of Ectothermic Vertebrates

Animal movements, use of space, activity patterns and habitat use are in part determined by proximal factors such as the landscapes they occupy,seasonal or environmental cues and individual attributes such as sex and body size Using radio-telemetry and a drift fence, we examined the contribution of these factors to variation in movements, use of space and terrestrial activity in a freshwater turtle, Chelodina longicollis (Testudines: Chelidae), in south-east Australia Movements and use of space depended strongly on landscape attributes, while sex and body size were less importantMovements and use of space also varied seasonally and were partly correlated with rainfall The high overall vagility of turtles, irrespective of sex and adult body size (138 28 ha (SE) home range, 2608 305 m total distance moved, 757 76 m range length), probably reflects a common need to be mobile in a landscape characterized by fluctuating resources in temporary wetlands Use of temporary wetlands also drives C longicollis into terrestrial habitats for movements between wetlands and extended refugeTiming of inter-wetland movements was associated with rainfall, but most notably for immature individuals and for those moving towards temporary wetlands Movements of adults, evacuation of the drying wetland and periods of extended refuge (ie aestivation) were less dependent upon rainfall if at allWe conclude that movements about and use of the landscape by C longicollis are under the strong influence of several interacting factors such as patch configuration,seasonal and environmental cues, and in part, body sizeWe argue that such behaviours are also ultimately under selection from the costs and benefits of these behaviours in the context of fluctuating resources

Terrestrial activity, movements and spatial ecology of an Australian freshwater turtle, Chelodina longicollis, in a temporally dynamic wetland system

In the mid-Atlantic region, urban sprawl and development have resulted in habitat alterations and fragmentation; however, the effects on eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) populations are unclear. To investigate the status of eastern box turtle populations in a fragmented landscape, we used mark–recapture and radiotelemetry to estimate population density, sex ratio, age structure, and survival on 4 study areas with differing degrees of isolation and human disturbance in northern New Castle County, Delaware, USA. We estimated adult population densities ranging from 0.81 turtles/ha to 3.62 turtles/ha among our 4 study areas. Sex ratios were male-biased at 2 study areas and balanced at 2 study areas. Proportion of juveniles ranged from 0% to 31%. Estimated annual survival rate ranged from 0.813 to 0.977. Mortality of radiotagged and marked turtles was primarily due to natural causes, but mowing was the primary cause of human-induced mortality. We found evidence of population decline at...

https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-wildlife-management/volume-72/issue-3/2005-521/Population-Ecology-of-the-Eastern-Box-Turtle-in-a-Fragmented/10.2193/2005-521.pdf

Population Ecology of the Eastern Box Turtle in a Fragmented Landscape

The literature on Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina: Emydidae) often characterizes them as terrestrial with only anecdotal references to their aquatic habits. The rapid decline in many populations of box turtles suggests an urgent need to assess all aspects of their habitat requirements. In this study, trailing devices and radio transmitters were used to determine seasonal movements and the extent to which turtles used aquatic habitats within their home ranges. Home range sizes averaged 1.88 ± 0.49 ha via minimum convex polygon analysis, and 2.26 ± 0.76 ha via 95% fixed kernel analysis. Kernel estimators were more effective at representing uneven home range use, often demonstrating the extensive use of water. A total of 131 turtles were found in two small temporary ponds from June through August. Individuals remained in the ponds for up to 23 consecutive days. As many as 32 turtles were found at one time in one of these ponds. Turtles often extended their home ranges by means of ab...

Bridget M. Donaldson

Papers

Aquatic Habitat Use Relative to Home Range and Seasonal Movement of Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina: Emydidae) in Eastern Tennessee