Habitat loss, overharvest, and life history characteristics have led to the decline of the alligator snapping turtle (AST macrochelys temminckii) throughout its range (reed ET AL. 2002)

Most states within the historic range of AST have laws against harvest of AST, but two do not louisiana and mississippi still allow harvest, with regulations being most relaxed in louisiana (ldwf mdwfp). Currently, this species is proposed to be listed as threatened under the endangered species act (ESA) by U.S. Fish and wildlife service. Although protection under the ESA may be warranted, there are large gaps in the data regarding range-wide population estimates reproductive success and mortality rates genetic diversity and impacts from anthropogenic factors such as commercial fishing, urban sprawl and deforestation, and hydrological alterations. A more thorough understanding of where AST occur, habitats occupied by the species and associated microhabitats, and the number of AST on the landscape is needed to inform future conservation actions for this species. This project will serve to establish a baseline estimate of population sizes and local densities of AST across different habitat types within select wildlife management areas and national wildlife refuges throughout louisiana. Tissue samples collected for this project, as well as from previously vouchered specimens, will be used in robust genetic analyses that could be used to inform future restoration and recovery efforts at broader spatial scales. The funds sought here will support a ldwf technician to work in concert with personnel from the baton rouge fish and wildlife conservation office of the U.S. Fish and wildlife service (USFWS), which is currently conducting fieldwork for a multi-year AST project in louisiana. The interagency collaboration will allow ldwf to leverage assistance from USFWS for the entirety of the project.