First record of hatchling overwintering inside the natal nest of a chelid turtle

摘要: Hatchling overwintering inside the natal nest is a strategy used by several Northern Hemisphere species of freshwater turtles. We recorded hatchling in Chelodina longicollis (Chelidae) south-eastern Australia, during three reproductive seasons. Hatchlings spent, on average, 320 days from date eggs were laid until emergence. Some nests carefully opened adjacent to plug, one winter and spring, confirm that had hatched not diapause, although we could precisely hatching dates. Despite our small sample size, observed dichotomous strategy, with hatchlings emerging autumn spending their first aquatic environment, spring. These findings expand phylogenetic range turtles exhibiting behaviour. Future research should evaluate whether this widespread among other long-necked temperate regions examine physiological mechanisms involved coping temperatures.