species interactionsThere are many species with which the Blanding's Turtle interacts with in the wild. Each species interacts with the Blanding's Turtle in a different way. These interactions between species can be classified in various ways, some of which include competition, predation, defense mechanism, symbiotic relationship, and parasitic relationship.
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Species Interaction 1: Raccoons, Foxes, Skunks
Nest predation is one of the limiting factors of the Blanding's Turtle population. Animals such as raccoons, foxes, and skunks are the most significant cause of nest failure (14). These animals dig up turtle nests and eat the eggs within only a few days of being laid. In addition, raccoons will also eat hatchlings and juvenile turtles (14). This species interaction is considered predation, as the raccoon species preys on the Blanding's Turtle population. Predation is defined as being a biological interaction in which the predator, the animal that is hunting, feeds on its prey, the animal being hunted. This interaction will decrease the population of the Blanding's Turtle. They feed on eggs and young turtle hatchlings, making these turtles unable to survive and reproduce, contributing to low population numbers. |
Species Interaction 2: Worms
Food availability is one of the factors which promotes the growth of a species to reach its carrying capacity. A Blanding's Turtle's diet consists of mostly small animals, such as worms (4). Worms are an ideal food for these turtles because they are rich in nutrients and protein, which are essential for the growth of the turtle. They are also a good source of food because they are easy to locate and catch. This species interaction is also considered predation, with the reverse scenario as what was described above with the Blanding's Turtle and the raccoon. In this species interaction, the Blanding's Turtle is the predator, which eats its prey, the worm. Because all organisms require food to survive, this species interaction is beneficial to the Blanding's Turtle population. The worms, as well as small fish and frogs, provide food for these turtles so they can survive and reproduce, leading to an increase in the population size. |
Species Interaction 3: Sarcophagid Fly Larvae
A recent discovery of nest failure is infestation by sarcophagid fly larvae (8). These fly larvae infest the turtle's eggs and cause death to the unborn hatchlings.
This species interaction is considered a parasitic relationship. This relationship is categorized by a parasite, in this case the carcophagic fly larvae, living off of the host species, the Blanding's Turtle, and potentially causing death to the host organism. In the case of the species interaction between the Blanding's Turtle and the fly larvae, this is called depredation, which means that the turtle nests are being invaded and infested with these organisms (8).
This species inhibits the growth of the Blanding's Turtle population. If the turtle nests are being infested and the hatchlings are dying, they are not able to contribute to population numbers. therefore, this species relationship decreased the population of the Blanding's Turtle.
A recent discovery of nest failure is infestation by sarcophagid fly larvae (8). These fly larvae infest the turtle's eggs and cause death to the unborn hatchlings.
This species interaction is considered a parasitic relationship. This relationship is categorized by a parasite, in this case the carcophagic fly larvae, living off of the host species, the Blanding's Turtle, and potentially causing death to the host organism. In the case of the species interaction between the Blanding's Turtle and the fly larvae, this is called depredation, which means that the turtle nests are being invaded and infested with these organisms (8).
This species inhibits the growth of the Blanding's Turtle population. If the turtle nests are being infested and the hatchlings are dying, they are not able to contribute to population numbers. therefore, this species relationship decreased the population of the Blanding's Turtle.