The southern lineage of BOG turtles (glyptemys muhlenbergii) has seen precipitous declines over the past several decades

While subject to the same drivers of decline as the northern lineage (mainly loss of habitat and poaching), the southern lineage was only listed as threatened due to similarity of appearance. However, at the beginning of 2022, a new petition was filed requesting the southern lineage be listed under the endangered species act (C2). The original listing was due to a lack of strong demographic and population information on southern populations. With over 2 decades of further data collection and analysis, IT has become clear that, at best, the southern population is as imperiled as the northern lineage and, at worst, is in a more perilous state (pittman ET AL. 2011 tutterow ET AL. 2017 knoerr 2018). Thus, there is a critical need to fill data gaps surrounding the spatial distribution of southern lineage of BOG turtles, their current and potential habitat, and overall habitat connectivity throughout the southern range. In fact, all states within the range have identified a better understanding of mountain BOG habitat or BOG turtles as a priority in their state wildlife action plan (NC swap, section 4.31.6 p.315 317, https WWW.ncwildlife.ORG portals 0 conserving documents 2015WILDLIFEACTIONPLAN NC WAP 2015 all documents.PDF VA swap, appendix a p.26 126, http bewildvirginia.ORG wildlife action plan PDF 2015 virginia wildlife action plan.PDF) (C1). The objective of this proposed project is to fill critical information gaps by focusing on the 3 r s (redundancy, resiliency, and representation) and begin addressing the two most pressing threats for the southern lineage (habitat loss and illegal harvest). We will achieve this by carrying out a multi state and multi partner research and conservation program that has 5 major components. These include 1.) improving our understanding of the current distribution of the southern lineage of BOG turtles 2.) determine the status and viability of populations within the southern lineage of BOG turtles 3.) a large genetic study to identify metapopulations, management units, corridors, and current population genetic parameters 4.) habitat management and nesting habitat creation for a subset of populations 5.) outreach to landowners and law enforcement officials.