Using Local Ecological Knowledge to Document Distribution and Temporal Patterns of Macrochelys temminckii in Texas

Mandi Gordon^1,*, David R. Bontrager^1,2, Jason E. Watson³, Terry Corbett³, Carla Crawford^4,5, Carl J. Franklin⁶, Bill Kirby⁷, Eric Munscher⁸, Viviana Ricardez⁶, and Arron Tuggle⁸

¹Environmental Institute of Houston, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX 77058. ²Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725. ³Lower Neches Valley Authority, Beaumont, TX 77708. ⁴Angelina and Neches River Authority, Lufkin, TX 75904. ⁵US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Alexandria, LA 71302. ⁶Texas Turtles, Grand Prairie, TX 75050. ⁷Sabine River Authority of Texas, Orange, TX 77631. ⁸SWCA Environmental Consultants, 10245 West Little York Road, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77040.*Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist,Volume 22, Special Issue 12 (2023): 171–196

Abstract
Long-term studies on long-lived species are rare, as is the case for the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii). Here, we developed a database of historical accounts drawing spatial and temporal data from local ecological knowledge (LEK) and non-LEK sources. Across all sources, we compiled 215 spatial and 263 temporal records. To test applicability of LEK, we conducted field surveys at sites selected based on LEK accounts, non-LEK accounts, and habitat. Our surveys yielded occupancy rates of 66.7%, 68.8%, and 40%, respectively, while detectability models estimated proportion of occupied sites to be 58–77%. Catch per unit effort did not vary when compared to previous assessments in Texas. Turtles were most active from February to September. Incorporation of LEK when developing study designs will ultimately enhance communication between researchers and local experts.

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