they have been caught in drift fences as they move to or from water, 

 although they have occasionally been seined (Kangas et al . , 1980; Rickham 

 and Gallaway, 1980; Christiansen and Haglan, 1980); hatchlinqs are rarely 

 otherwise encountered. Christiansen and Haglan (1980) suggested that 

 hatchlings may overwinter in ponds in the bottom muck and debris. As 

 might be suspected, mortality rates for hatchlings are thought to be 

 potentially high (Bickham and Gallaway, 1980) and it is presently unknown 

 what percentage reaches adult size. It is likely that the severity of 

 the winter plays a significant role in survivorship of hatchlings, as it 

 is thought to with adult survivorship. Winter kill is thought to 

 significantly affect this subspecies (Christiansen, pers. comm.). 



The Illinois mud turtle is quite adept at traveling over land for con- 

 siderable distances. Kangas et al . (1980) noted that hatchlings were found 

 as much as 600+ m from water in nearby agricultural fields. Cooper (197S) 

 reported adults moving a maximum of 700 m and Springer and Gallaway (1979, 

 1980), monitoring radio transmittered turtles, gave 300-500 m from water as a 

 general figure of distance traveled to hibernation sites; they also suggested 

 periods of heavy rainfall may stimulate movements. Kangas et al . (1980) pro- 

 vided a detailed account of the movements of their 12 turtles; generally, move- 

 ments also averaged several hundred meters. However, two turtles moved con- 

 siderably further (3.2 and 7.7 km). The longest move was between Rose Pond 

 and Logan's Marsh, thus indicating that turtles will move between distant 

 ponds. Whether this was directed movement and what cues the turtle used to 

 navigate is unknown. A displaced transmittered turtle followed by F. Moll 

 (undated) did not orient to its capture site. 



The diet of this turtle consists primarily of invertebrates, 

 principally beetles (Coleoptera) , snails, and crayfish. Fish may at 

 times provide a major food source, especially fish trapped by drying 

 ponds. It seems likely that this subspecies is an opportunistic feeder 

 and scavenger. Laboratory evidence indicates that it feeds while under- 

 ground in its burrows (0. Moll, 1979). 



Although parasites and disease are largely unknown, Wacha and 

 Christiansen (1976) reported parasitic protozoans from J<. flavescens in 

 Iowa. The light coloration of the carapace of some turTles reported by 

 Brown and Moll (1978) at Big Sand Mound and then thought to be the result 

 of chemical contamination is now thought to be caused by fungi (Aspergillus 

 and Penicillium ) (Springer and Gallaway, 1979, 1980). Why some turtles 

 are susceptible to these organisms is unknown. 



NON-FEDERAL CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES 



Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Co. (IIGE) . 



Aside from the research activities undertaken by various scientists 

 and graduate students in universities, the earliest conservation efforts 



