Observações sobre a nidificação e desenvolvimento de Chrysemys dorbigni (Dumeril & Bibron, 1835) (Testudines. Emydinae) na Estação Ecológica do Taim, Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

Chrysemys dorbigni is a common diurna/ turt/e in the Taim Ec%gical Station. Though females may choose nesting sites in the sam e area they do it isolately, not in groups. Data on female nesting si te se/ection, building of nest and egg /aying are given . Under laboratory and field conditions deve/opment was followed from the egg stage to the emergence of hatch/ings and growth of juveniles. One to 16 eggs are laid per clutch. Nesting activity is coincident with periods of higher temperatures in the fie/do Abiotic conditions and incidence of predation have been considered to estimate the success of clutches.