ABSTRACT
Acknowledgments ..........................................................................................................................260 References ...................................................................................................................................... 261
10.1 INTRODUCTION The ecology and reproductive biology of chelonians have received a great deal of attention. Many publications focus on the ecology or reproductive biology of a single species (e.g., Macrochelys temminckii: Pritchard, 2006; Chelydra serpentina: White & Murphy, 1973; Geochelone radiata:
Auffenberg, 1978; Trachemys scripta: Moll & Legler, 1971; Gibbons, 1990; Gopherus polyphemus: Iverson, 1980; Chrysemys picta: Zweifel, 1989; Iverson & Smith, 1993; Apalone ferox: Iverson & Moler, 1997; Webb, 1956; Chelodina novaeguineae: Kennett et al., 1992). Some studies provide comparative information on reproductive behaviors and biology of two or more species (e.g., Chelydra serpentina, Apalone, Macrochelys, Trachemys), and some contain drawings or pictures of pre-copulatory and mating behavior of different species (e.g., Legler, 1955; Webb, 1961, 1962; Auffenberg, 1978; Bellairs, 1970; Bustard, 1972; LeBuff, 1990; Obst, 1986; Oliver, 1955; Dodd, 2001; Ewert, 1976; Harrel et al., 1996). Some provide comparative information on the biology and ecology of multiple species grouped by general habitat; for example, river turtles (Moll & Moll, 2004) and sea turtles (Lutz & Musick, 1997; Lutz et al., 2002). Still others summarize the information concerning multiple species over large geographic areas (Australia: Legler, 1985; Cann, 1998; Venezuela: Pritchard & Trebbau, 1984). Some species and groups have received more attention than others as a result of their accessibility (e.g., Pseudemys concinna: Seidel & Dreslik, 1996; Trachemys scripta: Seidel & Ernst, 2006; Terrapene carolina: Ernst & McBreen, 1991), distribution (e.g., Chelydra serpentina: Ernst et al., 1988; Gibbons et al., 1988; Lovich, 1993; Apalone: Webb, 1990), or conservation status (Swingland & Klemens, 1989; Van Abbema, 1997; Klemens, 2000).
