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The Influences and Consequences of Nest Site Choice by the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) on a Man-made Island

Leger, Daniel J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1555087011078087

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Biological Sciences (Arts and Sciences).
The use of artificial or restored nesting habitats for diamondback terrapin conservation has received increased interest due to its early success and the continued degradation of natural nesting sites. Terrapins nesting on Poplar Island, a man-made island in the Chesapeake Bay, show a strong avoidance of vegetation which, coupled with vegetational encroachment over time, has resulted in a pattern of nest compression within the island’s most active nesting beaches. This pattern, while currently not detrimental, could make the Poplar Island population susceptible to increased predation rates. For the success of the island’s terrapin population to continue, measures should be taken to remove and control vegetation within the current nesting beaches. Modeling of terrapin nest site choice further emphasizes the importance of open and elevated areas. Additionally, vegetation was found to directly influence the incubation temperature within the nest. However, the effect of the low-lying vegetation was not dramatic enough to shift the expected sex-ratio of the offspring away from a significant female-bias. The expected 6:1 female-biased sex ratio is not as dramatic as the observed population sex ratio. This could be evidence of the effect of male-biased sources of mortality within the population, however further research is necessary to verify these findings.
Willem Roosenburg (Advisor)
Viorel Popescu (Committee Member)
Joseph Johnson (Committee Member)
107 p.
Animals; Biology; Conservation; Ecology
Diamondback terrapin; Malaclemys terrapin; Poplar Island; Conservation; Habitat construction; Island; Nest site; Nest site choice; Nesting; Habitat degradation;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Leger, D. J. (2019). The Influences and Consequences of Nest Site Choice by the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) on a Man-made Island [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1555087011078087

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Leger, Daniel. The Influences and Consequences of Nest Site Choice by the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) on a Man-made Island . 2019. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1555087011078087.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Leger, Daniel. "The Influences and Consequences of Nest Site Choice by the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) on a Man-made Island ." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1555087011078087

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1555087011078087
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.