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<p>Freshwater turtles are ecologically vital yet threatened by habitat loss. This study in the transboundary Gandak River, India, investigated how hydrological and physicochemical factors influence the distribution, encounter rates, and growth of two turtle species,&#xa0;<i>Lissemys punctata</i>&#xa0;and&#xa0;<i>Pangshura tecta</i>. A seasonal survey monitored environmental variables and turtles across four sites. Morphometric data were used to establish length–weight relationships (LWR) and compute condition factors. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified key environmental gradients correlated with species encounter rates. The study recorded 69 individuals (<i>L. punctata</i>, <i>n</i> = 43;&#xa0;<i>P. tecta</i>, <i>n</i> = 26). Clear spatial habitat partitioning was observed:&#xa0;<i>P. tecta</i>&#xa0;was exclusively found in smaller, pebble-dominated tributaries, whereas&#xa0;<i>L. punctata</i>&#xa0;was present in all sites but encountered more often in the main river channel. Turtle encounter rates for both species peaked during winter, with a significant positive correlation (r = 0.482, <i>p</i> = 0.017) with PCA Component 2, which represented stable, clear-water winter conditions (high transparency, high pH, low temperature/flow). No turtles were captured or observed during the peak monsoon, a period of high hydrological disturbance. The LWR revealed negative allometric growth in both species (<i>L. punctata</i>: b = 2.608;&#xa0;<i>P. tecta</i>: b = 2.392). Condition factors (Kn ≈ 1.0) indicated body weights consistent with predicted values in this habitat. These findings underscore the importance of preserving habitat heterogeneity and natural flow regimes for the conservation of these turtles in the biodiverse, transboundary Gandak River system.</p>

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Habitat partitioning and environmental drivers of two turtles (Lissemys punctata and Pangshura tecta) in a transboundary Himalayan river Gandak, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月28日

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  • Mogalekar Havagiappa Sharnappa,
  • Devagy Pratap Singh,
  • Ritu Kumari,
  • Divyanshu Dutt,
  • Mukesh Kumar Singh

摘要

Freshwater turtles are ecologically vital yet threatened by habitat loss. This study in the transboundary Gandak River, India, investigated how hydrological and physicochemical factors influence the distribution, encounter rates, and growth of two turtle species, Lissemys punctata and Pangshura tecta. A seasonal survey monitored environmental variables and turtles across four sites. Morphometric data were used to establish length–weight relationships (LWR) and compute condition factors. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified key environmental gradients correlated with species encounter rates. The study recorded 69 individuals (L. punctata, n = 43; P. tecta, n = 26). Clear spatial habitat partitioning was observed: P. tecta was exclusively found in smaller, pebble-dominated tributaries, whereas L. punctata was present in all sites but encountered more often in the main river channel. Turtle encounter rates for both species peaked during winter, with a significant positive correlation (r = 0.482, p = 0.017) with PCA Component 2, which represented stable, clear-water winter conditions (high transparency, high pH, low temperature/flow). No turtles were captured or observed during the peak monsoon, a period of high hydrological disturbance. The LWR revealed negative allometric growth in both species (L. punctata: b = 2.608; P. tecta: b = 2.392). Condition factors (Kn ≈ 1.0) indicated body weights consistent with predicted values in this habitat. These findings underscore the importance of preserving habitat heterogeneity and natural flow regimes for the conservation of these turtles in the biodiverse, transboundary Gandak River system.