Population Dynamics of Japanese Pond Turtles (Mauremys japonica) in a Ramsar Wetland Conserved from Primary Anthropogenic Negative Disturbances in Japan

抄録

When determining the most effective conservation measures for endangered species, it is critical to understand their population dynamics, the primary drivers influencing their populations, and their life history strategies. Long-term monitoring is essential to obtain this information, and a lack of adequate data exists for numerous native species experiencing substantial population declines in recent years due to various anthropogenic factors. In the present study, we investigated the population dynamics and demographic characteristics of the Japanese pond turtle, Mauremys japonica, an endemic species native to Japan. Accordingly, we conducted an eight-year mark-recapture study in a Ramsar wetland that has remained relatively unaffected by numerous primary anthropogenic disturbances in Japan. The population size estimation of this study demonstrated that the wetland was inhabited by approximately 200 individuals, comprising both males and females. Both sexes exhibited a high annual survival rate (0.87), indicating that the wetland population was stable or slightly increasing. These findings provide baseline data regarding M. japonica, a species for which information on demographic parameters and population dynamics in healthy populations is lacking.