Non-native common snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina (Linnaeus, 1758) in Western Europe: a focus on Central Italy showing evidence of a hot spot of introduction DOI Open Access
Vincenzo Ferri, Corrado Battisti, Giulia Cesarini

et al.

Belgian journal of zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 154, P. 73 - 82

Published: June 24, 2024

The common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina (Linnaeus, 1758), is a robust aquatic turtle native to southeast North America. However, it has also been introduced other countries through the exotic pet trade, where gained popularity due its distinctive appearance and impressive size. Over past decade, considerable number of individuals, abandoned by their owners, have recorded captured in Western Europe. Here, we report first comprehensive summary records at continental scale, showing that France Italy represent with highest sightings. In France, exhibition, exchange, or sale events animals (until 2022 legal; now illegal) located near large cities, although C. were significantly higher outside core urban areas. We significant increase total European scale when comparing periods 2010-2015 2016-2020. Finally, focused current study on peculiar spatial pattern local (Central Italy) an important site exhibition animals, suggesting presence hot spot introduction. Popular may critical colonization hubs from these freshwater turtles can disperse into surroundings.

Language: Английский

Non-native common snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina (Linnaeus, 1758) in Western Europe: a focus on Central Italy showing evidence of a hot spot of introduction DOI Open Access
Vincenzo Ferri, Corrado Battisti, Giulia Cesarini

et al.

Belgian journal of zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 154, P. 73 - 82

Published: June 24, 2024

The common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina (Linnaeus, 1758), is a robust aquatic turtle native to southeast North America. However, it has also been introduced other countries through the exotic pet trade, where gained popularity due its distinctive appearance and impressive size. Over past decade, considerable number of individuals, abandoned by their owners, have recorded captured in Western Europe. Here, we report first comprehensive summary records at continental scale, showing that France Italy represent with highest sightings. In France, exhibition, exchange, or sale events animals (until 2022 legal; now illegal) located near large cities, although C. were significantly higher outside core urban areas. We significant increase total European scale when comparing periods 2010-2015 2016-2020. Finally, focused current study on peculiar spatial pattern local (Central Italy) an important site exhibition animals, suggesting presence hot spot introduction. Popular may critical colonization hubs from these freshwater turtles can disperse into surroundings.

Language: Английский

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