Relationship between mean nesting trait values in each nesting season of the painted turtle, C. picta, in Illinois, USA, and the HDD from September to April preceding the nesting season (Schwanz & Janzen 2008). (a) average percentage south + west vegetation cover of first nest laid by females in different years in response to HDD (y = −0.0075x + 134.52, R2 = 0.289, p < 0.07). (b) Average Julian nest date of the first nest laid by females in different years in response to HDD (y = 0.0063x + 124.94, R2 = 0.364, p < 0.02).