Trachemys scripta elegans

The competitive advantages of the slider over native freshwater turtle species may include lower age at maturity, higher fecundity, and larger adult body size (Arvy & Servan 1998, in Cadi & Joly 2003). Red-eared sliders may compete for food, egg-laying sites, or basking places (Bury & Wolfheim 1973, Bury et al. 1979, Rovero et al. 1999, Lindeman 1999, in Cadi & Joly 2003). The red-eared slider has also been considered occasionally aggressive towards other individuals (Cadi & Joly 2003) and more recently, aggressive interactions with the Spanish terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) have been demonstrated (Polo-Caiva et al., 2011).

Hibridização com a espécie nativa do Brasil Trachemys dorbigni (RS). Figueiredo PICC 2014. Verificação da ocorrência de hibridação entre tartaruga-tigre-d’água, Trachemys dorbigni (Duméril & Bibron, 1835) e tartaruga-americana, Trachemys scripta (Thunberg & Schoepff, 1762) (Testudines, Emydidae)./ Pedro Ivo Campani de Castro Figueiredo. – 2014. 33 f.

The presence of T. s. elegans affects environmental conditions in ponds, and thus potentially ecosystem processes. Reduced abundance or loss of turtles in aquatic systems could therefore result in significant consequences on ecosystem functioning.

Competitive interactions between T. s. elegans and the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and the Spanish terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) are of particular concern. In Washington (USA) they are a potential threat to the Pacific pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata), a declining species endemic to the Pacific states (Brown et al. 1995, Williams 1999, in Somma & Fuller 2009).