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Movement Ecology and Hematology of the Florida East Coast Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin tequesta) in the Central Indian River Lagoon

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Date Issued:
2021
Abstract/Description:
Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) are an exclusively brackish water turtle found along the east coast of the United States. Very little is known about the Florida east coast diamondback terrapin (M. t. tequesta). This study examined wild terrapins in the central Indian River Lagoon to establish baseline population parameters for the species in this region. Morphometrics were assessed for the sampled animals, reinforcing findings of sexual dimorphism for the species. Acoustic monitoring was used to investigate terrapin occupancy and habitat use. Occupancy differed seasonally, with the highest occupancy in the summer and fall, lower occupancy in the spring, and the lowest occupancy in the winter. Terrapins were detected most commonly and spent a high percentage of their time in the southern portion of the study site. Reference blood chemistry values were established for the population. This study provided baseline information on a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Florida.
Title: Movement Ecology and Hematology of the Florida East Coast Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin tequesta) in the Central Indian River Lagoon.
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Name(s): Herr, Jeffrey Swersie, author
Moore, Jon A., Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Department of Biological Sciences
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2021
Date Issued: 2021
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 84 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) are an exclusively brackish water turtle found along the east coast of the United States. Very little is known about the Florida east coast diamondback terrapin (M. t. tequesta). This study examined wild terrapins in the central Indian River Lagoon to establish baseline population parameters for the species in this region. Morphometrics were assessed for the sampled animals, reinforcing findings of sexual dimorphism for the species. Acoustic monitoring was used to investigate terrapin occupancy and habitat use. Occupancy differed seasonally, with the highest occupancy in the summer and fall, lower occupancy in the spring, and the lowest occupancy in the winter. Terrapins were detected most commonly and spent a high percentage of their time in the southern portion of the study site. Reference blood chemistry values were established for the population. This study provided baseline information on a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Florida.
Identifier: FA00013863 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (MS)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Diamondback terrapin--Ecology
Indian River (Fla. : Lagoon)
Diamondback terrapin--Conservation
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013863
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Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.