Preliminary assessment of movements and habitat use of the Tabasco Mud Turtle, Kinosternon acutum Gray, 1831, in a tropical rainforest in Belize

Abstract

Understanding the movement ecology and habitat use of the Tabasco Mud Turtle (Kinosternon acutum) is essential for conservation planning, particularly in dynamic rainforest ecosystems of the Yucatan Peninsula. Despite its broad distribution across Central America, the spatial behaviour of K. acutum remains poorly studied. This study examines movement patterns, microhabitat preferences, and the influence of precipitation on K. acutum movement in a tropical rainforest setting within the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education reserve. Six adult individuals (two males, four females) were tracked using radio telemetry over a 17-day period, with relocations recorded daily. Results indicate that males exhibited greater movement distances than females, with maximum straight-line movements of 205 m and 103 m, respectively. Microhabitat analysis revealed a strong preference for leaf litter, tree bases, and Cohune Palm (Attalea cohune) associations, while use of ephemeral water habitats were lower than expected. Movement was not consistently correlated with rainfall, suggesting that K. acutum does not uniformly adjust its movement patterns in response to precipitation events. These findings highlight the species’ reliance on specific microhabitats and limited movements, emphasising its vulnerability to habitat fragmentation and environmental change. Conservation efforts should prioritise the protection of terrestrial and aquatic habitat connectivity, particularly in areas with abundant leaf litter and cohune palm.