Response of Common Musk Turtles (Sternotherus Odoratus) to Intraspecific Chemical Cues

Abstract

Chemical cues can assist intraspecific communication associated with sexual behavior, territoriality, and home-site philopatry. We tested experimentally the influence of chemical cues on the behavior of male Common Musk Turtles (Sternotherus odoratus). In laboratory-controlled choice boxes, we video recorded the location of turtles moving between two water tanks separated by a raised divider. Water was scented by no turtles, the test turtle, another male, or a female. Based on two-hour trials, we considered turtles that spent > 55% of the time in one water tank as having demonstrated a scent preference. From at least 10 replicates of each of six different treatment combinations, males significantly chose tanks with the scent of a female versus tanks with clean water, the scent of self, or the scent of another male. We propose that the smell produced by a female turtle includes an intraspecific chemical cue that helps males search for potential mates.