Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Whole genome resequencing can be a powerful tool for uncovering biological insights and quantifying population genomic metrics relevant to conservation. These insights have the potential to be most profound in secretive or elusive species that are understudied but whose populations may be waning. The western chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia miaria) is one such example where conservationists are concerned about reported population declines. Here, we report results from analyses of genome sequence data from western chicken turtles and how the associated inferences could be used to inform management decisions. We sequenced and assembled a novel reference genome, then conducted a population genomics resequencing survey across much of Texas that represents one of the first in any freshwater turtle. We uncovered fine-scale population structure indicative of natal philopatry. Absolute values of fixation indices were relatively small (all pairwise FST ≤ 0.03), but principal component analyses of the resequencing data readily separated individuals into clusters that correspond to their geographic sampling sites (i.e., wetland mosaic) and phylogenomic analyses revealed monophyletic groupings that also correspond to wetland mosaic geography. Estimates of individual genome-wide heterozygosity (H) were similar to those observed for threatened or endangered turtle species. Collectively, our data suggest that western chicken turtle populations are spatially differentiated due to natal philopatry and limited gene flow. We discuss the relevance of these insights as they pertain to turtle biology, including the conservation implications of philopatry in a species of concern.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) threaten freshwater ecosystems, and recreational boating is a major vector of their spread. This study applies Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), extended with moral obligations, to examine predictors of Clean, Drain, Dry (CDD) behavior among 2977 boaters in Kansas, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. Structural equation modeling showed that problem awareness strongly influenced perceived threat severity, response efficacy, perceived difficulty, and personal norms, which in turn predicted CDD behavior. Multigroup analyses revealed significant state-level differences in both mean values and structural relationships. Utah respondents reported higher awareness, threat perceptions, and compliance, whereas Texas respondents reported lower levels. These patterns likely reflect differences in the contexts of outreach, prevention, and enforcement. Findings highlight the importance of integrating cognitive and normative factors in AIS interventions and tailoring strategies to state-specific conditions. The study advances PMT by emphasizing the role of problem awareness and moral obligations in shaping pro-environmental behavior.

Insufficient investment in wildlife that lacks strong aesthetic or emotional appeal to humans poses a significant obstacle to achieving broader conservation goals. Species that are not considered charismatic are nonetheless vital to ecosystems and deserve attention from conservationists, researchers, and the public. However, effective strategies for bridging the gap between these species and traditionally charismatic ones remain underexplored. Our exploratory study introduced the concept of charisma orientations to examine their influence on pro-bird behaviors, such as following guidelines, reporting disturbances, and participating in community advocacy. We identified six relational and socially negotiated orientations-ecological importance, intrinsic right to exist, protection support, affective meaning, and perceived decline-that together represent key perspectives through which waterbirds are understood. A survey of 615 Texas coastal recreationists revealed that relying solely on positive charisma diminishes the appeal of waterbirds for participants. The species likeability frame was relevant only in the context of reporting disturbances, while a moral policy stance (the belief that waterbirds need protection) was significant in predicting advocacy. Younger males and individuals who felt current regulations were adequate were less likely to engage in waterbird conservation behaviors. Our findings suggest that examining the intersection of contested charismatic species and various charisma orientations can uncover subtle nuances often overlooked due to an overemphasis on positive charisma and emotional resonance, which may only partially apply or not apply at all.

Black drum (Pogonias cromis) is an economically important marine finfish species in the Gulf of Mexico, but knowledge on the environmental factors that affect growth is limited. This study aimed to determine how juvenile black drum growth in Texas bays varies regionally and the factors that cause such variability by using samples from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's fishery-independent monitoring program. Generalized additive and pathway models were used to evaluate density dependence and water quality effects on the annual mean growth throughout a 38-year period. Water quality had little direct effect on annual growth, while abundance was the greatest predictive factor determining growth directly, suggesting density-dependent growth. This evidence of variable density-dependent growth among bays highlights the need to consider both fish populations and environmental variation on a bay-specific scale for effective management rather than focusing solely on a holistic approach. La corvina negra (Pogonias cromis) es una especie de pez marino econ & oacute;micamente importante en el Golfo de M & eacute;xico; sin embargo, el conocimiento sobre los factores ambientales que afectan su crecimiento es limitado. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar c & oacute;mo el crecimiento de la corvina negra juvenil en las bah & iacute;as de Texas var & iacute;a regionalmente y cu & aacute;les son los factores que causan dicha variabilidad, utilizando muestras del programa de monitoreo pesquero independiente del Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Se emplearon modelos aditivos generalizados y modelos de an & aacute;lisis de rutas para evaluar los efectos de la dependencia de la densidad y la calidad del agua sobre el crecimiento medio anual durante un per & iacute;odo de 38 a & ntilde;os. La calidad del agua tuvo poco efecto directo sobre el crecimiento anual, mientras que la abundancia fue el principal factor predictivo que determin & oacute; el crecimiento de manera directa, lo que sugiere la presencia de crecimiento dependiente de la densidad. Esta evidencia de variabilidad en el crecimiento dependiente de la densidad entre bah & iacute;as resalta la necesidad de considerar tanto la din & aacute;mica poblacional como la variaci & oacute;n ambiental a escala espec & iacute;fica de cada bah & iacute;a para una gesti & oacute;n efectiva, en lugar de centrarse & uacute;nicamente en un enfoque general.

Currently, plastic is a commonly used material for fish habitat (i.e., do-it-yourself [DIY] and commercially sold kits) by fishery managers. The benefit of this material is that it is lightweight and easy to use compared with heavy, cumbersome natural materials (i.e., wood and rock). Unfortunately, many fishery managers are left to make their own decisions on whether plastic is a safe alternative to natural materials. There are concerns because fish habitat is intentionally left for the long term (permanently) within dynamic aquatic systems, like reservoirs. The intent of this study was to (1) identify, to polymer, which plastics have historically been used for fish habitat and restoration projects (both DIY and commercially sold products) by a single state conservation agency (circa 2015-2022) and (2) determine whether underwater degradation of plastics is observable by artificially aging certain plastics using a novel underwater accelerated-aging chamber. Multiple techniques were used to determine these answers including analytical chemistry (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), mechanical stress (flexural modulus), and surface morphology (scanning electron microscopy). The results determined that eight unique polymers are currently in use and that these polymers are often used in combination for a single fish habitat structure. Furthermore, we found evidence from our artificially aged samples (e.g., nylon, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, and high-density polyethylene) suggesting that aging by using temperature (heat) can be observed within 1 year of underwater deployment. This article offers fishery managers insights into the limitations of plastic as a construction material for submersed structures while challenging common misconceptions and bridging information gaps. Plastic materials are currently heavily used by fishery managers for fish habitat and plant restoration projects. We examine which plastic materials are used by fishery managers and present evidence of their degradation with a novel underwater accelerated-aging chamber and, preliminarily, in the natural aquatic environment.