U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Department of the Interior - U.S. Geological Survey Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Smithsonian Institution - National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)
We marked a total of 300 terrapins. We captured 24 animals in crab pots on the first sampling trip (November 2001), but thereafter captured terrapins only with dip nets.
We continued to define population structure and genetics of Diamondback terrapins at Big Sable Creek complex immediately south of Shark River. A total of 300 unique individuals with a male: female sex ratio of 1.2:1.0 have been captured, measured, weighed, PIT tagged and had blood drawn for genetic samples. Initial population size estimate is about 1,415 individuals based on the Schnabel method. We estimated downed log cover in 6 headwater creeks to correlate with terrapin capture locations. Final objectives are to refine this population estimate, better characterize habitat use, and finish analysis of blood samples previously collected for DNA characterization.
Future analysis of mark-recapture data will allow for determination of effects of hurricanes (i. E., Hurricane Wilma, October 24, 2005) on terrapin survival and capture probabilities.
Genetic analysis is continuing for this population to determine hurricane effects on allele frequencies over time.
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
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