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For the first time, self-sustaining populations of three non-native species of turtles were identified in south-western Germany by researchers at the University of Freiburg
Original text published by the University of Freiburg
Three species of turtles native to North America have been successfully reproducing in the wild in Germany, report for the first time environmental researcher Benno Tietz and biologist Dr. Johannes Penner of the University of Freiburg, along with Dr. Melita Vamberger of the Senckenberg Natural History Collection in Dresden.
Their results were published in the open-access scientific journal NeoBiota.
The scientists examined a total of nearly 200 animals living in the wild in lakes in Freiburg and Kehl. Their findings suggest that the turtles have established themselves in a new habitat, where they could become a threat to the local ecosystem.
For two species, this is the first evidence of independent reproduction outside of their natural reproductive range. For the third species, this is the northernmost evidence of its presence up to now,
says Penner.
Turtles released into the wild
Invasive species do a great deal of economic damage world-wide. They also contribute to advancing global species extinctions.
Alien reptiles regularly make their way into the wild in Germany. Most often, this is because they have been released by pet owners.
Large numbers of North American pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) were imported into the European Union (EU) in the 1980s and 1990s as house pets. In 1997, their import into the EU was banned. By 2016, the sale of specimens born here was also made illegal. Since then, pet shops have replaced them with other freshwater turtles, such as the river cooter (Pseudemys concinna) and the false map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica).
Genetic analyses of specimens of all three species in a range of ages have now demonstrated that they are reproducing independently in local waters.
What’s surprising is that the invasive species have established themselves so far north. In Europe, successful reproduction and self-maintaining populations of Trachemys scripta were only known in the Mediterranean regions and the continental climate zone of Slovenia,
explains Benno Tietz.
Until recently, it had been assumed the turtles being examined couldn’t reproduce in Central Europe due to the colder climate. Especially the false map turtle is actually quite sensitive to the cold,
he says.
Consequences for local species unclear
The invasive turtles could become a problem for indigenous species.
The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), for example, is now only present in Germany in parts of Brandenburg.
In an experimental setup, the European pond turtle showed weight loss and an increased death rate when being kept together with Trachemys scripta,
reports Penner.
Penner says that could be caused by the larger, alien species forcing the smaller local turtles from places where they sun themselves, leading the local turtles to have problems with thermoregulation. Or perhaps the competition led to them having greater challenges when seeking food.
Beyond that, aquatic turtles could be hosts for viruses and parasites, leading them to play a role in the spread of diseases. This could potentially have a damaging influence on other parts of the ecosystem, including amphibians, fish, or aquatic plants.
On the other hand, in their study, the researchers consider the alien species could assume functions in damaged ecosystems that would otherwise go unreplaced.
Vamberger says these questions urgently need to be explored further.
We need to raise public awareness that people should not release – no matter what kind of species – any animals into the wild in future.”
she insists.
Meet the research team:
Dr. Johannes Penner was the scientific coordinator of the research training group “Conservation of Forest Biodiversity in Multiple-Use Landscapes of Central Europe” (ConFoBi) and a lecturer for the Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management of the University of Freiburg. Currently, he is a curator at the NGO “Frogs and Friends” and a guest researcher in wild animal ecology.
Benno Tietz has completed a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences at the University of Freiburg. His thesis – finished in the Winter Semester of 2020/2021 – investigated alien turtles. Currently, he is a research assistant at the Freiburg Institute of Applied Animal Ecology.
Dr. Melita Vamberger is a researcher at the Senckenberg Natural History Collection in Dresden.
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The study was supported by the Hans Schimenz Fund of the German Society for Herpetology and Terrarium Science (DGHT) as well as the Academic Society of Freiburg.
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Research paper:
Tietz B, Penner J, Vamberger M (2023) Chelonian challenge: three alien species from North America are moving their reproductive boundaries in Central Europe. NeoBiota 82: 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.82.87264