Wilson's Snipe, #176, Data, and Placobdella ornata video

#176

Sunday the total number of turtles in the Dairy Drainage grew to sixteen with the capture of number one hundred and seventy-six, a large female. She was free of leeches but missing a toenail. This very dour turtle had a few remains of a crayfish in her stomach and was otherwise unremarkable.

The most remarkable event is that I began doing some quantitative analysis of my data. One of the interesting things to do is look at numbers from different perspectives. For example, when I compare the total number of samples on a month-by-month basis, it appears that July is remarkable. However, if I factor in the total number of days I trap compared to the results I get then May is remarkably higher in success. Specifically, I get more turtles and a larger variety of stomach food resources in their stomachs in this month. Further, even though I am part way through August and the total number of samples is low, my results match those of June and July.

Interestingly, I often think I am less interested in numbers when compared to colleagues who are doing theoretical research, but that is clearly not the case. I am surprised how automatically I began playing with the data and creating charts when I wanted an answer about my trapping success rate. Even more shocking is the fact I automatically gather data and create table as I work - without even thinking about it. I suspect this is the sign of a true analytical person - my friends and family will not be shocked.

The above display of the data shows that in May I get more stomach content samples with less effort. Further,  regardless of the amount of trapping effort I put forth the results are largely proportional between the other months. For example, in June and July I have set out traps more often compared to my work in August that is still ongoing. However, the success rate stays the same. To see the total trapping effort by month see the table below.

In this table it looks like the month of July is most productive because I have more samples and August is less productive. However, the previous table is a more accurate way to display the data. It is an example of one of the most confounding things about doing research - how to accurately display the data. As you can see here, I am showing the data in both forms rather than "cherry picking" the results that please me. It is more honest to display all the data and assess if my conclusions seem reasonable. 

Above is a preliminary summary of food items I found in stomach content samples. Note that there are two non-food items, thereby making the title inaccurate. Plant and substrate material (soil and gravel) are listed as by-catch; meaning they were caught while the turtle was in the process of capturing prey.

Placobdella ornata - the turtle leech

Next, as promised a video of Placobdella ornata the freshwater turtle leech and a close up of number one-seventy five’s rear leg where it was holding on. These simple elegant creatures fascinate me.