Short description of Emys orbicularis, European Pond Terrapin

The European pond turtle is native in continental Europe, where it is protected and is a species of conservation concern (IUCN Lower Risk / Near Threatened). Largely an aquatic carnivore, the species varies in size from 12-38cm long. It is polymorphic (regional differences in size, colouration and markings) with at least 13 subspecies. Released or escaped pets are present in the wild in GB.

Impact summary: Emys orbicularis, European Pond Terrapin

Unknown but probably limited: evidence of establishment is lacking. GB has no native turtle species. Possible effects on ecosystems in freshwater ponds and streams.

Habitat summary: Emys orbicularis, European Pond Terrapin

The European pond turtle inhabits freshwater ponds and streams and may occur more abundantly in permanent wetlands surrounded by woodlands (evidence from northern Italy).

Overview table

Environment	Terrestrial and Freshwater
Species status	Non-Native
Native range	Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Belarus, Czech Republic, Germany, Algeria, France, Gruziya, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Latvia, Macedonia
Functional type	Omnivore
Status in England	Non-Native
Status in Scotland	Non-Native
Status in Wales	Non-Native
Location of first record	Isle of Wight
Date of first record	1929

Origin

The European pond turtle has the largest native range of any freshwater turtle in Europe. The range is very fragmented, but extends from the Netherlands and north-central France, through central Europe (including Germany and Poland) to eastern Europe and Russia, southern Europe (including Bulgaria and Greece), into Turkey, Iran and the Balkan states and also includes Spain, Portugal and parts of northern Africa. The species was present in GB (Norfolk) around 7000 to 5000 years BP, apparently disappearing at the onset of global cooling. Modern records in the wild are the result of released or escaped pets.

First Record

1929 (apparently breeding in Isle of Wight).

Pathway and Method

Released or escaped via pet trade.

Species Status

Throughout its native range the European pond turtle is a species of conservation concern and is classified as IUCN Lower Risk Near Threatened. Causes of observed declines seem to include hunting for food, habitat loss (wetland drainage), declining habitat quality, water pollution and competition with the non-native red-eared terrapin. Declines may be severest in southern France and Italy. There has been some success with reintroductions in France.

Dispersal Mechanisms

Released or escaped pets may survive in the wild. European pond turtle was the subject of unsuccessful deliberate introductions in GB. In the native range dispersal between inhabited ponds and nesting areas is usually up to 200m but can be as far as 3.5km (example from Belarus).

Reproduction

Sexual activity begins at 3-4 years of age. The breeding season is from early spring until May or June, with marked regional differences. Females congregate for egg-laying, with for example, up to 300 laying at the best localities in Belarus (nest density up to 3 per 10m^{2). Nests are dug in loose, peaty soil, often among plant roots. Nesting is mostly in June and July, when 3-5 or more (and sometimes up to 16) eggs are laid, with hatchlings emerging from August. One and sometimes two egg clutches are laid. The eggs are elliptical and have soft leathery shells. The eggs are reportedly reliant on temperature-determined sex (with lower temperatures resulting in the production of males). In northern parts of their range, European pond turtles hibernate for several months in winter, whilst in hot, southern regions they aestivate in summer. Summers in GB are currently not warm enough to allow egg-hatching.}

Known Predators/Herbivores

In parts of their native range European pond turtles may compete with non-native red-eared terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans) for nest-sites, basking places and food. Predators in the native range include foxes, racoons, dogs and wolves and high levels of predation can occur (e.g. about 40% reported in Belarus).

Resistant Stages

None known.

Habitat Occupied in GB

Freshwater ponds and streams.

There are scattered records since 1980 from various parts of England, notably around Bristol and coastal Suffolk, but also in areas such as the New Forest, Herefordshire and Yorkshire.

Environmental Impact

Unknown but probably limited impacts: especially as evidence of establishment is lacking. GB has no native turtle species. Possible effects on ecosystems in freshwater ponds and streams, through competition and predation by European pond turtle. Diet includes insect larvae, earthworms and aquatic vegetation. In the native range there is competition with non-native red-eared terrapins.

Health and Social Impact

None known.

Economic Impact

None known.

Identification

Many images are available at http:www.euroherp.comspeciesEmys_orbicularis

The factsheet on red-eared terrapin at www.nonnativespecies.org includes identification notes and images for the European pond turtle.

Biology, ecology, spread, vectors

Cadi, A. & Miquet, A. (2004) A reintroduction programme for the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in Lake Bourget (Savoie, France): First results after two years. Biologia, 59, 155-159.

Cadi, A., Nemoz, M., Thienpont, S. & Joly, P. (2004) Home range, movements, and habitat use of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the Rhone-Alpes region, France. Biologia, 59, 89-94.

Drobenkov, S.M. (2009) Nesting habitats and breeding behaviour of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the Polesye region, south Belarus. Testudo, 7. Available at http:www.britishcheloniagroup.org.uktestudov7v7n1drobenkov.htm

Ficetola, G.F., Padoa-Schioppa, E., Monti, A., Massa, R., De Bernardi, F. & Bottoni, L. (2004) The importance of aquatic and terrestrial habitat for the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis): Implications for conservation planning and management. Canadian Journal of Zoology-Revue Canadienne De Zoologie, 82, 1704-1712.

Management and impact

Cadi, A. & Joly, P. (2004) Impact of the introduction of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) on survival rates of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). Biodiversity and Conservation, 13, 2511-2518.

Kraus, F. (2011) Reptiles and amphibians. In: Encyclopedia of Biological Invasions (eds D. Simberloff & M. Rejmanek), pp. 590-594. Berkeley, University of California Press. This chapter includes a section on management of non-native reptiles and amphibians in general.

General

Beebee, T.J.C. & Griffiths, R.A. (2000) Amphibians and Reptiles, London, HarperCollins.

Lenk, P., Fritz, U., Joger, U. & Wink, M. (1999) Mitochondrial phylogeography of the European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus 1758). Molecular Ecology, 8, 1911-1922.

Sommer, R.S., Persson, A., Wieseke, N. & Fritz, U. (2007) Holocene recolonization and extinction of the pond turtle, Emys orbicularis (L., 1758), in Europe. Quaternary Science Reviews, 26, 3099-3107.

Stuart, A.J. (1979) Pleistocene occurrences of the European pond tortoise (Emys orbicularis L.) in Britain. Boreas, 8, 359-371.

Velo-Anton, G., Wink, M., Schneeweiss, N. & Fritz, U. (2011) Native or not? Tracing the origin of wild-caught and captive freshwater turtles in a threatened and widely distributed species (Emys orbicularis). Conservation Genetics, 12, 583-588.

http:www.tortoisetrust.orgarticlesorbicularis.htm