Nesting ecology of Chelodina longicollis in stormwater ponds, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Despite urbanisation threatening many species worldwide, the eastern long-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis) inhabits urban ponds and wetlands across Australia. However, little is known about its nesting habits in these environments, information that would help to understand and support its urban resilience. This study examines the nesting ecology of C. longicollis in two urbanised drainages in Canberra, south-eastern Australia, over two nesting seasons, and correlates nesting parameters and behaviour with physical and climatic conditions. Females nested in a range of locations, with many nests successfully established at the edge of urban structures (e.g. fences, drains). There was no difference between nest attempts and nests completed to egg-laying in weather or habitat parameters, except for slope. Overnight decreases in barometric pressure and relative humidity were both correlated with C. longicollis nesting activity. Additionally, minimum and maximum daily temperatures predicted nest emergence and pre-emergence behaviour in C. longicollis. Finally, we observed that invasive and native grasses can interfere with incubation and cause embryo mortalities. These findings shed some light on the reproductive ecology of C. longicollis inhabiting stormwater ponds, and help us understand their persistence and survival in an urban context.