Depredation of eggs of threatened freshwater turtles by the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus (Shaw, 1792)).

The echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is documented as a new native predator of freshwater turtle eggs, particularly those of the vulnerable Fitzroy River turtle (Rheodytes leukops), and the critically endangered white-throated snapping turtle (Elseya albagula). This depredation has been identified in the Fitzroy, Burnett and Mary Catchments with echidnas recorded at traditional turtle nesting banks using direct observation of depredation of eggs, remote camera footage and identification of tracks. Echidnas were observed at traditional nesting banks for E. albagula and R. leukops nesting across eight months of the year. The presence of echidnas was more frequent during the R. leukops nesting season in spring. R. leukops is endemic to the Fitzroy Catchment and the depredation rate of eggs was significantly higher than for other species and catchments. The mean top egg depth of R. leukops nests was found to be the same depth as the echidna's beak length. There was a significant increase in depredation during the five-year study period, with 47.4% of R. leukops clutches depredated by echidna in the 2022 season. This substantial loss of eggs and recruitment of hatchling turtles poses a significant threat to the populations of this threatened species. The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) has been found to be an unlikely predator of freshwater turtle eggs. Egg depredation of the vulnerable Fitzroy River turtle (Rheodytes leukops) and the critically endangered white-throated snapping turtle (Elseya albagula) was recorded during annual freshwater turtle nesting surveys. The egg depredation by the echidna has been recorded across the Fitzroy, Burnett and Mary Catchments. Photograph by Duncan Limpus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]