ENVIRONMENTAL CUES AND RED-EARED SLIDER (TRACHEMYS SCRIPTA ELEGANS) REPRODUCTION 

John K. Tucker

Great Rivers Field Station, Illinois Natural History Survey, 8450 Montclaire 
Avenue, Brighton, Illinois 62012-2032, USA  

      A preliminary survey of 100 environmental variables from multiple data 
sources and their relationships with variation in Red-eared Slider (Trachemys 
scripta elegans) reproductive ecology was performed.  During the period 1995 to 
2006 a considerable amount of variation in reproductive measures was found.  
This included a geographic component.  Jersey County sliders produce more but 
smaller eggs than Calhoun County sliders.  Remarkably few reproductive 
parameters were associated with the climatic variables.  Female condition (mass 
versus plastron length) varied with river stage.  In years with higher maximum 
and minimum gauge readings (at Grafton, Illinois), females were in better 
condition (weighed more for their length) than in years with lower gauge 
readings.  Reproductive output varied with precipitation but not directly with 
other environmental variables.  Apparently, this species benefits from 
opportunities to exploit floodplain habitats.


Key Words: River stage; Jersey County, Calhoun County, reproductive ecology, 
environmental variables, Red-eared Slider, Trachemys scripta elegans