We have been assessing reptile and amphibian populations within the Tollway corridor using:
– baited hoop traps
– visual encounter surveys
– minnow traps
Projects:
– I-90 pre-construction
– I-355
– Eastern Massasauga
– Blandings Turtle
– Assessing Impacts of the Carp Barrier on Movement of Reptiles and Amphibians
– I-294
– IL53-IL120 extension assessment
– IL Rt 390 extension
– North Chicago Wetland Mitigation Site
– Turtle health
Publications:
Banning-Anthonysamy, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips. 2013. Disruptive influences of drought on the activity of a freshwater turtle. American Midland Naturalist. 169:332–335.
Banning-Anthonysamy, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, M. R. Douglas, N. K. Marioni, and C. A. Phillips. 2014. Reproductive ecology of an endangered turtle in a fragmented landscape. Copeia. 2014:437–446.
Banning-Anthonysamy, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, D. Mauger, and C. A. Phillips. 2014. A Preliminary Assessment of Habitat Partitioning in a Freshwater Turtle Community at an Isolated Preserve. Copeia. 2014:269–278.
Anthonysamy, W. J. B., M. J. Dreslik, M. R. Douglas, D. Thompson, G. M. Klut, A. R. Kuhns, D. Mauger, D. Kirk, G. A. Glowacki, M. E. Douglas, and C. A. Phillips. 2017. Population genetic evaluations within a co-distributed taxonomic group: a multi-species approach to conservation planning. Animal Conservation. doi:10.1111/acv.12365.
Highlights from our work:
- Head-starting and releasing turtles is costly and will not mitigate population declines on their own in the I-355 corridor, as adult mortality is too high. Less costly alternatives include protecting nests, controlling predators, and releasing hatchlings.
