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Willem M. Roosenburg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Spatiotemporal analysis of gene flow in Chesapeake Bay Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys Terrapin).
Molecular ecology, 2015Co-Authors: Paul E. Converse, Willem M. Roosenburg, Shawn R. Kuchta, Paula F. P. Henry, G. Michael Haramis, Tim L. KingAbstract:There is widespread concern regarding the impacts of anthropogenic activities on connectivity among populations of plants and animals, and understanding how contemporary and historical processes shape metapopulation dynamics is crucial for setting appropriate conservation targets. We used genetic data to identify population clusters and quantify gene flow over historical and contemporary time frames in the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys Terrapin). This species has a long and complicated history with humans, including commercial overharvesting and subsequent translocation events during the early twentieth century. Today, Terrapins face threats from habitat loss and mortality in fisheries bycatch. To evaluate population structure and gene flow among Diamondback Terrapin populations in the Chesapeake Bay region, we sampled 617 individuals from 15 localities and screened individuals at 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci. Our goals were to demarcate metapopulation structure, quantify genetic diversity, estimate effective population sizes, and document temporal changes in gene flow. We found that Terrapins in the Chesapeake Bay region harbour high levels of genetic diversity and form four populations. Effective population sizes were variable. Among most population comparisons, estimates of historical and contemporary Terrapin gene flow were generally low (m ≈ 0.01). However, we detected a substantial increase in contemporary gene flow into Chesapeake Bay from populations outside the bay, as well as between two populations within Chesapeake Bay, possibly as a consequence of translocations during the early twentieth century. Our study shows that inferences across multiple time scales are needed to evaluate population connectivity, especially as recent changes may identify threats to population persistence.
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Geographic variation in egg size and lipid provisioning in the Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys Terrapin.
Physiological and biochemical zoology : PBZ, 2012Co-Authors: Phil E. Allman, Allen R. Place, Willem M. RoosenburgAbstract:AbstractUnderstanding phenotypic differentiation among populations of wide-ranging species remains at the core of life-history research, because adaptation to local environmental conditions is expected. For example, when energy resources influence offspring fitness (as in oviparous ectotherms), the egg and hatchling environments are expected to influence selection by acting on the amount of energy allocated to offspring. Here we identify population variation in egg mass, length, width, and volume from Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys Terrapin eggs collected in Rhode Island (RI), Maryland (MD), and South Carolina (SC). Egg size (mean volume: 7.6, 8.1, and 9.1 cc in RI, MD, and SC, respectively) and clutch size (mean no. eggs: 16.1, 12.2, and 6.0 in RI, MD, and SC, respectively) differed among populations, which indicated that females produce larger clutches with smaller eggs at high latitudes and smaller clutches of larger eggs at lower latitudes. Lipid analyses indicated that eggs from SC contained yolks w...
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Diamondback Terrapin mortality in the American eel pot fishery and evaluation of a bycatch reduction device
Estuaries, 2005Co-Authors: Thomas A. Radzio, Willem M. RoosenburgAbstract:The effect of commercial fisheries on nontarget species is a burgeoning issue for both fishery managers and estuarine biologists. We documented Diamondback Terrapin ( Malaclemys Terrapin ) bycatch in cloth-funnel eel pots used in a Maryland (United States) commercial American eel ( Anguilla rostrata ) fishery. Between 1992 and 2001, we obtained 40 male and 9 female Terrapin captures and 1 male Terrapin recapture from commercial eel pots. To quantify Terrapin catch rates and evaluate a potential solution to Terrapin bycatch in eel pots, we conducted two experiments that tested the effects of a novel cel pot bycatch reduction device on Terrapin bycatch and eel harvest. We determined low Terrapin bycatch rates (0.000–0.008 Terrapins pot^−1 d^−1) in pots with small entrance funnels and high Terrapin capture rates (0.458 Terrapins pot^−1 d^−1) in pots with large entrance funnels. The BRD eliminated Terrapin bycatch and had no effect on eel catch making it an economically-viable solution for Terrapin mortality in eel pots. We demonstrated that Terrapin bycatch can be a problem in the American eel pot fishery and that our bycatch reduction device is a simple and cost-effective solution to this problem.
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Egg Component Comparisons within and among Clutches of the Diamondback Terrapin, Malaclemys Terrapin
Copeia, 2005Co-Authors: Willem M. Roosenburg, Teresa DennisAbstract:The relationship between egg size and composition (relative amounts of lipid, protein, and water) can play an important role in determining neonate size, quality, or the amount of post-hatching care observed in many reptiles. We evaluated the relationship among egg wet mass, non-polar lipid mass, water content, shell dry mass, and lean dry mass within and among seven clutches of the Diamondback Terrapin, Malaclemys Terrapin, from Chesapeake Bay. Egg size varied considerably among clutches, but was relatively uniform within clutches. Non-polar lipid mass, lean dry mass, and water content correlated positively with egg wet mass indicating that larger eggs contain a proportionally greater amount of these components. There was no relationship between egg wet mass and shell dry mass. Clutches had similar, positive slopes but different intercepts in the relationships between lean dry mass and lipid mass and between water content and total dry mass. Thus, clutches differed in the relative proportions of resources but had similar allocation patterns of egg components. Our data cannot resolve whether these effects are due to differences in resource availability or differences in the physiological mechanisms involved in egg provisioning.
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Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys Terrapin) Mortality in Crab Pots
Conservation Biology, 1997Co-Authors: Willem M. Roosenburg, William Cresko, Michael Modesitte, Matthew B. RobbinsAbstract:The entrapment of Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys Terrapin) in crab pots frequently results in drowning and death of the trapped turtles. We determined the rate of capture, size, sex, and age of Terrapins cap- tured, and the potential impact crab pot mortality has on local Terrapin populations. We estimated Terrapin capture rates of 0.17 Terrapins/pot/day in shallow water areas of Chesapeake Bay (Maryland, USA). The sex ratio of Terrapins caught in crab pots was 3:2 male biased because female Terrapins become too large to enter crab pots by the time they reach 8 years of age. Males, however, remain vulnerable to entrapment throughout their life. Our estimates of capture rates and local population size suggest that 15- 78% of a local population may be captured in a single year. As a consequence, crab pots may be the major reason Terrapins are extir- pated in coastal, shallow water areas with heavy crab pot fisheries. Additionally, the selective removal of males may also contribute to female-biased sex ratios observed in this Diamondback Terrapin population. We developed and tested a modified crab pot that increases Terrapin survival and does not reduce the number of crabs caught. Our modified crab pot maintained permanent access to air and prevented the drowning of ter- rapins. Additionally, our modified crab pot caught more crabs than standard commercial crab pots, suggest-
Shannon E. Albeke - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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hot spots and hot moments of Diamondback Terrapin road crossing activity
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2014Co-Authors: Brian A. Crawford, John C. Maerz, Nathan P. Nibbelink, Kurt A. Buhlmann, Terry M. Norton, Shannon E. AlbekeAbstract:Summary Road mortality is a major component of human impacts on wildlife populations, and the pervasiveness of roads on the landscape presents a substantial challenge for managing those impacts. The feasibility of methods to reduce road mortality depends on the degree to which this threat is spatially or temporally concentrated, which can be based on habitat, human activities or species' ecology. Diamondback Terrapins Malaclemys Terrapin are a species of conservation concern across their range, and road mortality is a major threat contributing to local population declines. We used intensive road surveys of the 8·7-km Downing-Musgrove Causeway to Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA, over 2 years to determine whether road activity and mortality was diffused or concentrated spatially (hot spots) or temporally (hot moments) in order to guide efficient management. In 2009 and 2010, we documented 636 Terrapin crossings that were temporally and spatially condensed. Temporally, there was a 70–80% chance of a Terrapin occurring on the road within a 3-h period around the diurnal high tide and within the first 30 days of the ˜75 day nesting season. Over the two nesting seasons, 52% of Terrapin occurrences on the road occurred within the 3-h period around high tide. Spatially, 30% of Terrapins were observed crossing in three hot spots that composed less than 10% of the length of the entire causeway, and the percentage of unvegetated high marsh was negatively associated with the number of Terrapins that occurred on a section of road. Synthesis and applications. Our results demonstrate that hot spots and hot moments can be identified for species at finer scales than those found by other studies and are related, strongly or weakly, to specific temporal processes or habitat features. We found patterns of road mortality, like most threats, can be diffused or concentrated; therefore, complementary management tools that focus on hot spots or moments and also address the more diffused component of road mortality will be required to reduce this threat for at-risk wildlife.
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Hot spots and hot moments of Diamondback Terrapin road‐crossing activity
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2014Co-Authors: Brian A. Crawford, John C. Maerz, Nathan P. Nibbelink, Kurt A. Buhlmann, Terry M. Norton, Shannon E. AlbekeAbstract:Summary Road mortality is a major component of human impacts on wildlife populations, and the pervasiveness of roads on the landscape presents a substantial challenge for managing those impacts. The feasibility of methods to reduce road mortality depends on the degree to which this threat is spatially or temporally concentrated, which can be based on habitat, human activities or species' ecology. Diamondback Terrapins Malaclemys Terrapin are a species of conservation concern across their range, and road mortality is a major threat contributing to local population declines. We used intensive road surveys of the 8·7-km Downing-Musgrove Causeway to Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA, over 2 years to determine whether road activity and mortality was diffused or concentrated spatially (hot spots) or temporally (hot moments) in order to guide efficient management. In 2009 and 2010, we documented 636 Terrapin crossings that were temporally and spatially condensed. Temporally, there was a 70–80% chance of a Terrapin occurring on the road within a 3-h period around the diurnal high tide and within the first 30 days of the ˜75 day nesting season. Over the two nesting seasons, 52% of Terrapin occurrences on the road occurred within the 3-h period around high tide. Spatially, 30% of Terrapins were observed crossing in three hot spots that composed less than 10% of the length of the entire causeway, and the percentage of unvegetated high marsh was negatively associated with the number of Terrapins that occurred on a section of road. Synthesis and applications. Our results demonstrate that hot spots and hot moments can be identified for species at finer scales than those found by other studies and are related, strongly or weakly, to specific temporal processes or habitat features. We found patterns of road mortality, like most threats, can be diffused or concentrated; therefore, complementary management tools that focus on hot spots or moments and also address the more diffused component of road mortality will be required to reduce this threat for at-risk wildlife.
John C. Maerz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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hot spots and hot moments of Diamondback Terrapin road crossing activity
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2014Co-Authors: Brian A. Crawford, John C. Maerz, Nathan P. Nibbelink, Kurt A. Buhlmann, Terry M. Norton, Shannon E. AlbekeAbstract:Summary Road mortality is a major component of human impacts on wildlife populations, and the pervasiveness of roads on the landscape presents a substantial challenge for managing those impacts. The feasibility of methods to reduce road mortality depends on the degree to which this threat is spatially or temporally concentrated, which can be based on habitat, human activities or species' ecology. Diamondback Terrapins Malaclemys Terrapin are a species of conservation concern across their range, and road mortality is a major threat contributing to local population declines. We used intensive road surveys of the 8·7-km Downing-Musgrove Causeway to Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA, over 2 years to determine whether road activity and mortality was diffused or concentrated spatially (hot spots) or temporally (hot moments) in order to guide efficient management. In 2009 and 2010, we documented 636 Terrapin crossings that were temporally and spatially condensed. Temporally, there was a 70–80% chance of a Terrapin occurring on the road within a 3-h period around the diurnal high tide and within the first 30 days of the ˜75 day nesting season. Over the two nesting seasons, 52% of Terrapin occurrences on the road occurred within the 3-h period around high tide. Spatially, 30% of Terrapins were observed crossing in three hot spots that composed less than 10% of the length of the entire causeway, and the percentage of unvegetated high marsh was negatively associated with the number of Terrapins that occurred on a section of road. Synthesis and applications. Our results demonstrate that hot spots and hot moments can be identified for species at finer scales than those found by other studies and are related, strongly or weakly, to specific temporal processes or habitat features. We found patterns of road mortality, like most threats, can be diffused or concentrated; therefore, complementary management tools that focus on hot spots or moments and also address the more diffused component of road mortality will be required to reduce this threat for at-risk wildlife.
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Hot spots and hot moments of Diamondback Terrapin road‐crossing activity
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2014Co-Authors: Brian A. Crawford, John C. Maerz, Nathan P. Nibbelink, Kurt A. Buhlmann, Terry M. Norton, Shannon E. AlbekeAbstract:Summary Road mortality is a major component of human impacts on wildlife populations, and the pervasiveness of roads on the landscape presents a substantial challenge for managing those impacts. The feasibility of methods to reduce road mortality depends on the degree to which this threat is spatially or temporally concentrated, which can be based on habitat, human activities or species' ecology. Diamondback Terrapins Malaclemys Terrapin are a species of conservation concern across their range, and road mortality is a major threat contributing to local population declines. We used intensive road surveys of the 8·7-km Downing-Musgrove Causeway to Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA, over 2 years to determine whether road activity and mortality was diffused or concentrated spatially (hot spots) or temporally (hot moments) in order to guide efficient management. In 2009 and 2010, we documented 636 Terrapin crossings that were temporally and spatially condensed. Temporally, there was a 70–80% chance of a Terrapin occurring on the road within a 3-h period around the diurnal high tide and within the first 30 days of the ˜75 day nesting season. Over the two nesting seasons, 52% of Terrapin occurrences on the road occurred within the 3-h period around high tide. Spatially, 30% of Terrapins were observed crossing in three hot spots that composed less than 10% of the length of the entire causeway, and the percentage of unvegetated high marsh was negatively associated with the number of Terrapins that occurred on a section of road. Synthesis and applications. Our results demonstrate that hot spots and hot moments can be identified for species at finer scales than those found by other studies and are related, strongly or weakly, to specific temporal processes or habitat features. We found patterns of road mortality, like most threats, can be diffused or concentrated; therefore, complementary management tools that focus on hot spots or moments and also address the more diffused component of road mortality will be required to reduce this threat for at-risk wildlife.
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Effects of Roads and Crabbing Pressures on Diamondback Terrapin Populations in Coastal Georgia
The Journal of Wildlife Management, 2011Co-Authors: Andrew M. Grosse, John C. Maerz, Jeffrey Hepinstall-cymerman, Michael E. DorcasAbstract:Human activities, including the harvesting of natural resources and land development, place substantial pressure on wildlife. The Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys Terrapin) is a small, estuarine species of emydid turtle in decline and at risk due to a suite of human activities. Vehicle-induced mortality from increasing coastal traffic and bycatch mortality in crab pots have been recognized as 2 of the primary conservation concerns for Terrapins. We used mark-recapture estimates of Terrapin density and sex ratio from repeated seining samples of 29 randomly stratified selected tidal creeks to evaluate the current relationships between road and crabbing pressures and the abundance, sex ratio, and size distribution of Terrapin populations along the Georgia coast. We obtained 2005 captures of 1,547 individual Terrapins among 29 tidal creeks sampled. Population density estimates ranged from 0 to 1,040 Terrapins/km among tidal creeks with a median density of 65 Terrapins/km. Among all sites, Terrapin density declined with increasing crabbing activity within the creek, but was not related to proximity to roads. Sex ratios did not vary significantly with crabbing activity or proximity to roads; however, we found a significantly larger proportion of smaller-sized Terrapins in creeks with no crabbing activity. Although roads may have significant localized effects on Terrapin populations, we found no measurable association between proximity to roads and current variation in Terrapin density along the Georgia coast. However, we did find that Terrapin density and the proportion of smaller sized individuals within the population were negatively associated with crabbing activities. Bycatch from commercial and recreational activities threaten many species. We add to a growing body of research showing crabbing activities are affecting Diamondback Terrapin populations across much of the species' range. States committed to the conservation of Terrapins and coastal species should focus on reducing bycatch risk; for example by regulating soak times and locations, requiring the use of bycatch reduction devices, and removing abandoned or lost crab pots from coastal habitats. 2011 The Wildlife Society.
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Diamondback Terrapin Mortality in Crab Pots in a Georgia Tidal Marsh
Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 2009Co-Authors: Andrew M. Grosse, J. Danielvan Dijk, Kerry L. Holcomb, John C. MaerzAbstract:Abstract Recreational and commercial crab pots are considered major threats contributing to recent declines in Diamondback Terrapin populations. In a single Georgia (USA) tidal marsh, 133 Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys Terrapin centrata) carcasses were observed in abandoned crab pots, consisting of more than double the remaining estimated population. We suggest that the potential for just a few neglected or abandoned crab pots to significantly deplete a Terrapin population makes enforcement of explicit soak laws and implementation of a derelict crab-pot removal program a priority for conservation of Diamondback Terrapins in Georgia.
Harold W Avery - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Summary statistics for Terrapin behavioral response to playback recordings of boat engine sounds.
2013Co-Authors: Lori A. Lester, Harold W Avery, Andrew S. Harrison, Edward A. StandoraAbstract:Diamondback Terrapin behavioral response variables (swimming speed, swimming depth, change in pitch, and change in roll) were tested in a mixed effects model to see if behaviors changed between times when sound was being played and times when sound was absent. Terrapins did not significantly change any behavior in response to playback recordings.
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Behavioral responses of Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys Terrapin Terrapin) to recreational boat sounds.
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2012Co-Authors: Lori A. Lester, Walter F Bien, Edward A. Standora, Harold W AveryAbstract:Anthropogenic sound caused by recreational boat traffic is a major concern for many marine animals because it may alter their behavior, mask sounds necessary for survival, and cause hearing loss. These alterations could potentially lower the chance of survival for individuals and lead to population declines. In this study, the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys Terrapin Terrapin) in Barnegat Bay, NJ, is used as a model organism to understand how boat engine sound influences behavior. Previously, we used the auditory brain stem response (ABR) technique to determine that Terrapins can hear a limited range of low-frequency tones less than 1,000 Hz. Most anthropogenic activities such as recreational boating also produce sound with low-frequency components (Richardson and Wursig 1997).
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sex biased dispersal and natal philopatry in the Diamondback Terrapin malaclemys Terrapin
Molecular Ecology, 2010Co-Authors: Claire M Sheridan, James R Spotila, Walter F Bien, Harold W AveryAbstract:Nesting ecology and population studies indicate that Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys Terrapin) exhibit nest site fidelity and high habitat fidelity. However, genetic studies indicate high levels of gene flow. Because dispersal affects the genetics and population dynamics of a species, we used six highly polymorphic microsatellite markers to investigate sex-biased dispersal and natal philopatry of M. Terrapin in Barnegat Bay, NJ. We compared results of spatial autocorrelation analysis, assignment methods and Wright’s FST estimators to a mark–recapture analysis. Mark–recapture analysis over a 4year period indicated that most individuals have relatively small home ranges (<2 km), with mature females displaying greater home ranges than males. Goodness of fit analysis of our mark–recapture study indicated that some juvenile males were likely transient individuals moving through our study location. Mean assignment indices and firstgeneration migrant tests indicated that mature males were more prone to disperse than mature females, but first-generation migrant tests indicated that per capita there are more female than male dispersers. Thus, the relative importance of males and females on gene flow in Terrapin populations may change in relation to population sex ratios. Spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that mature females exhibited natal philopatry to nesting beaches, but first-generation migrant tests indicated that a small number of females failed to nest on natal beaches. Finally, we discuss the important conservation implications of male-biased dispersal and natal philopatry in the Diamondback Terrapin.
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Sex-biased dispersal and natal philopatry in the Diamondback Terrapin, Malaclemys Terrapin.
Molecular ecology, 2010Co-Authors: Claire M Sheridan, James R Spotila, Walter F Bien, Harold W AveryAbstract:Nesting ecology and population studies indicate that Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys Terrapin) exhibit nest site fidelity and high habitat fidelity. However, genetic studies indicate high levels of gene flow. Because dispersal affects the genetics and population dynamics of a species, we used six highly polymorphic microsatellite markers to investigate sex-biased dispersal and natal philopatry of M. Terrapin in Barnegat Bay, NJ. We compared results of spatial autocorrelation analysis, assignment methods and Wright’s FST estimators to a mark–recapture analysis. Mark–recapture analysis over a 4year period indicated that most individuals have relatively small home ranges (
Kristen M. Hart - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Stable Isotope Analysis Enhances Our Understanding of Diamondback Terrapin ( Malaclemys Terrapin ) Foraging Ecology
Estuaries and Coasts, 2018Co-Authors: Mathew J. Denton, Amanda W.j. Demopoulos, John D. Baldwin, Brian J. Smith, Kristen M. HartAbstract:Dietary studies on generalist predators may provide valuable information on spatial or temporal changes in the structure of ecological communities. We initiated this study to provide baseline data and determine the utility of stable isotope analysis (SIA) to evaluate the foraging strategies of an opportunistic reptilian predator, the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys Terrapin), which specializes in salt marshes and mangrove estuaries along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. We evaluated stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values of multiple tissues from Terrapins inhabiting mainland and island mangrove habitats in south Florida and potential food sources to examine spatial and temporal variations in Terrapin resource use. We fit linear regression models to determine the best predictors of isotopic values for both Terrapins and their prey, and Stable Isotope Bayesian Ellipses in R (SIBER) analysis to examine Terrapin isotopic niche space and overlap between groups. We identified differences in Terrapin isotopic δ13C and δ15N values among all sites. Blood and scute tissues revealed different isotopic compositions and niche overlap between sites, suggesting diets or foraging locations may change over time, and amount of variation is site specific. Niche overlap between size classes was larger for blood (short term) versus scute (long term), suggesting greater variability in food habits or resource isotopes over the long term versus short term. These results demonstrate the usefulness of SIA in examining the spatial and temporal variability in Diamondback Terrapin resource use within estuary systems and further define their niche within these dynamic food webs.
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Regional differentiation among populations of the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys Terrapin)
Conservation Genetics, 2014Co-Authors: Kristen M. Hart, Margaret E. Hunter, Tim L. KingAbstract:The Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys Terrapin ) is a brackish-water turtle species whose populations have been fragmented due to anthropogenic activity such as development of coastal habitat and entrapment in commercial blue crab ( Callinectes sapidus ) fishing gear. Genetic analyses can improve conservation efforts for the long-term protection of the species. We used microsatellite DNA analysis to investigate levels of gene flow among and genetic variability within 21 geographically separate collections of the species distributed from Massachusetts to Texas. Quantified levels of genetic variability (allelic diversity, genotypic frequencies, and heterozygosity) revealed three zones of genetic discontinuity, resulting in four discrete populations: Northeast Atlantic, Coastal Mid-Atlantic, Florida and Texas/Louisiana. The average number of alleles and expected heterozygosity for the four genetic clusters were N_A = 6.54 and H_E = 0.050, respectively. However, the geographic boundaries of the populations did not correspond to accepted Terrapin subspecies limits. Our results illuminate not only the need to sample Terrapins in additional sites, specifically in the southeast, but also the necessity for allowing uninterrupted gene flow among population groupings to preserve current levels of genetic diversity.
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The Diamondback Terrapin: The biology, ecology, cultural history, and conservation status of an obligate estuarine turtle
Studies in avian biology, 2006Co-Authors: Kristen M. Hart, D.s. LeeAbstract:Ranging from Cape Cod to nearly the Texas-Mexico border, the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys Terrapin) is the only species of North American turtle restricted to estuarine systems. Despite this extensive distribution, its zone of occurrence is very linear, and in places fragmented, resulting in a relatively small total area of occupancy. On a global scale, excluding marine species, few turtles even venture into brackish water on a regular basis, and only two Asian species approach the North American Terrapin’s dependency on estuarine habitats. Here we describe some of the biological and behavioral adaptations of Terrapins that allow them to live in the rather harsh estuarine environment. In this chapter we review the natural and cultural history of this turtle, discuss conservation issues, and provide information on the types of research needed to make sound management decisions for Terrapin populations in peril.