Luke Micek
Stephen F. Austin State University
Graduate Research Assistant/ M.S. in Forestry/ Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. Demography of Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) Along a Fishing Pressure Gradient.
Growing up in North Dakota and Nebraska gave me ample opportunity to explore the outdoors and, in adulthood, led me to a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Working field technician jobs around the U.S. gave me a broader understanding of wildlife management and narrowed my path to Stephen F. Austin State University where I am now pursuing a Master of Science in Forestry.
My thesis is on the demographic structure of Texas alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) in habitats of varying intensities of passive fishing pressure. Alligator snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtle in North America and are being considered for listing as Federally Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. A prominent threat this species faces is passive fishing gear (trotlines, juglines, etc.), which has yet to be quantified in Texas. From June 2023 – August 2024, I will continue to trap for alligator snapping turtles and measure the intensity of fishing pressure at my study sites in east Texas. By examining the population structure of this species and its threats, I hope to provide needed information to improve upon the conservation plan for alligator snapping turtles at the state and federal levels.
