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Malaclemys terrapin Hatchlings: Variation in Seasonal Emergence

Kitson, Sarah R.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1479156414322192

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Biological Sciences (Arts and Sciences).
The Diamond-backed Terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin, displays facultative emergence at its northern distribution, whereby some turtles hatch and depart from the nest in the fall before the onset of winter and others overwinter within the nest and emerge the following spring. A long-term demography study at the Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island, Maryland allowed for the comparison of fall and spring emergent nest success and hatchling survival. Data from 2006-2014 revealed that though fall emergence was more common, had higher within-nest survival, and produced larger hatchlings, spring emergent hatchlings had higher survival probability up to three years of age. Furthermore, I investigated individual hatchling righting behavior, aquatic and terrestrial burst speed, and aquatic and terrestrial endurance as fitness proxies that correspond to survivorship differences between fall and spring emergent hatchlings from the 2014 nesting season. Spring emergent hatchlings moved faster and longer than fall emergent hatchlings on both land and water. This spring advantage in speed and endurance could contribute to higher survival by aiding in predator avoidance and foraging abilities. Fall and spring hatchlings emerge into very different biophysical and predator environments. The corresponding performance and survivorship in Poplar Island terrapins suggests that seasonal variation may allow for the persistence of facultative emergence as a strategy in temperate turtle species.
Willem Roosenburg, Dr. (Advisor)
Molly Morris, Dr. (Committee Member)
Shawn Kuchta, Dr. (Committee Member)
Matthew White, Dr. (Committee Member)
81 p.
Biology; Ecology; Organismal Biology; Zoology
turtle; fitness; performance; survivorship; hatchling

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kitson, S. R. (2016). Malaclemys terrapin Hatchlings: Variation in Seasonal Emergence [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1479156414322192

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kitson, Sarah. Malaclemys terrapin Hatchlings: Variation in Seasonal Emergence. 2016. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1479156414322192.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kitson, Sarah. "Malaclemys terrapin Hatchlings: Variation in Seasonal Emergence." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1479156414322192

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1479156414322192
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© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.