Fidelity to nesting sites and orientation of Trachemys dorbigni (Dumeril & Bibron, 1835) (Testudines: Emydidae) female in southern Brazil

Orientation and fidelity to nesting areas were analyzed in a population of Orbigny's slider turtle, Trachemys dorbigni (Dumeril & Bibron, 1835), in southern Brazil. Monitoring was carried out over a 5-year period using the mark-recapture technique for females moving overland during the nesting season. The positions of 90 females were analyzed. We also tested the capacity to return to the nesting site after the female was translocated to another point. The overall mean distance between two consecutive captures for females that had not been translocated to the release point was 545.0 m, whereas for females that were translocated the mean distance was 523.8 m. Translocated females showed a high capacity to return to the nesting site, but 2 years were necessary.